A close relative of the garter and ribbon snakes (Thamnophis). It is fairly secretive but abundant, and in addition to open prairies and sparsely timbered areas may also be found in urban settings such as parks, cemeteries or abandoned rubbish tips. It is mainly nocturnal but may also be out and about in spring during the breeding season: otherwise tends to hide during the day beneath natural or manmade objects. It also burrows in loose, moist soil. Earthworms are the favoured prey. Although similar in appearance to a small garter snake, this species can be easily distinguished by the presence of a double row of black half-moon shapes along its belly. The populations of the species are somewhat disjointed in their distribution.
A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, R Conant and J T Collins, Peterson Field Guides, Houghton Mifflin, Boston/New York 1998.
A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, R Stebbins, Peterson Field Guides, Houghton Mifflin, Boston/New York 2003.
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