A map outlining Pre-1977 and 1997 to Present Distribution is available. Medium sized snake, with a shorter, narrower head than other Wisconsin gartersnakes. The narrow, small head accompanies a thicker body, resulting in less of a constriction behind the head than is observed in most snakes. Dorsal ground color is brown, black, or olive with or without a double row of black spots between the stripes. The distinct lateral stripes are on scale row three and adjacent rows of two and four anteriorly and most of scale rows two and three posteriorly.
Stripes vary from light yellow to a rich orange-yellow color.
The ventral surface is green to yellow-green with dark spots on the lateral edges. Prefer wet-mesic prairies, marshes, roadside grassy areas, and vacant city lots. The principal food is earthworms, but leeches, fish, and toads are sometimes consumed as well. Mid-March through early November. Is a communal hibernator like other garter snakes.