Western Terrestrial Garter Snake vs. Plains Garter Snake

A: count up from the belly scales: the Terrestrial's pale side stripe is on scale rows 2 and 3; the Plains Garter's is on rows 3 and 4. B: the Terrestrial's upper lip scales are plain or only faintly edged; the Plains Garter's carry bold black bars on every seam. C: the Terrestrial's middle stripe is dull and variable (yellow, cream or reduced), often notched by dark spots; the Plains Garter's is a bright, prominent yellow or orange. D: the Plains Garter has a neat double row of square black spots between the stripes on an olive-brown ground; the Terrestrial has dark spots or checks there, often with reddish or brown flecks. In Nebraska the Terrestrial lives only in the Pine Ridge.

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