<Li> Eutaenia radix--Cope, 1900 </Li> <Li> Thamnophis radix--Stejneger & Barbour, 1917 </Li> <P> The Plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix) is a species of garter snake native to most of the central United States as far north as Canada and as far south as Texas . It has a distinctive orange or yellow stripe from its head to tail, and the rest of its body is mainly a gray - green color . The snake is commonly found living near water sources such as streams and ponds, but can also be found in urban areas and vacant lots . Although the IUCN lists the species as "Least Concern", some states have given it their own special status . This species is mildly venomous . </P> <P> The Plains garter snake has either an orange or yellow stripe down its back and distinctive black bars on its lip . The stripe normally starts at the head and continues all the way to the tail tip . Lateral stripes are located on the third and fourth scale rows and are normally a greenish - yellow color . Its belly is gray - green with small dark spots along the edges . Most have distinctive light yellow spots on the top of the head . The snake is described as medium - sized and is on average around 3 ft (0.91 m). </P>

Black snake with yellow lines down its back