Snake ID ???

Does anyone know what kind of snake this is? I was out for a walk and nearly stepped on him. Eastern Kansas, early March.

Preston,
looks like an Anaconda !

Jim

Preston,
It's a beautiful Garter Snake (often mis-called a Garden Snake), named for the stripes running down the body that look like . .. yes, garters!

Not sure which sub-species. Have to check my field guide (Eastern Garters are plentiful, though). It's been centuries since I've ID'd snake species and sometimes it comes down to scale counts and other minutia. But he's a beauty.

I love this species of snake, and used to collect them when I was a child, in NY, NJ, NH, VT and GA. Harmless and beneficial, they eat icky garden pests.

REALLY glad to see them out and about in your area. It's a good sign for the ecosystem. Encourage them, provide right habitat, they are nothing but a blessing for the environment and your garden.

Nice capture!

Thanks Cathy. When I looked up garter snakes before I posted this I only saw the black and yellow ones. I don't know snakes at all, as I am generally to busy running full speed the other way when I come across one. Anyway, this one was hanging out at a local park near where kids are playing nearby so I was hoping it was a harmless one.

Nice catch there!