HARMLESS. The pattern/color of this snake is variable. In general the Common Gartersnake is characterized by keeled scales, a single anal scale, a stripe on each side of the body situated on the second and third scale rows (counting from the belly up), absence of a crescent-shaped mark behind the angle of the jaw, and a pattern of two rows of alternating black spots on a between the stripes on the back. The belly is white, greenish, or gray, with a row of small dark spots along its edges. Adult males have longer tails than females, but females are larger than males.
The dorsal stripe may vary in the intensity of its coloration, but is usually well-defined and not encroached upon by adjacent lateral blotches. On specimens with orange or red dorsal stripes, the coloration usually starts with yellow or orange near the head and quickly transitions to the tip of the tail. The lateral stripes are less distinct and situated on second and third scale rows (counting from belly up) anteriorly. Between the stripes are two longitudinal rows of offset squarish black blotches producing a checkerboard pattern on a red (most wide-spread; parietalis type; 'red-sided' variant), yellow, green, or blue background. The belly is white, greenish, or gray, with a row of small dark spots along the edges.
Specimens from the extreme southwestern portion of their range in Kansas (Meade and Seward counties; annectens type; 'red-striped' variant) have a tan, black, yellow, or green alternating with the black blotches between the stripes. The dorsal stripe is bright red to orange. Some specimens from the Ozark Plateau of Cherokee County (sirtalis type; 'eastern' variant) (not noted by Hurd (1936)) have a muted pattern and color with an orange vertebral stripe and no lateral red markings.
The labials are heavily barred along their sutures and the posterior labials match the anterior labials in color. There may or may not be pair of light spots on top of the head along the suture of the parietal scales.
The young look like miniature adults with subdued coloration. Females have relatively larger heads.
Adults normally attain 41.0-71.0 cm (16-28 inches) in total length. The largest specimen from Kansas is a female (KU 189179) from Reno County with a total length of 113.0 cm (44½ inches) collected by George Ratzlaff on 5 March 1981. The maximum length throughout the range is 132.1 cm (52 inches) (Boundy, 1995; Powell et al., 2016). The maximum weight for a Kansas specimen is 410 grams (14½ ounces).
Common throughout the eastern two-thirds of Kansas. Enters western Kansas along riparian corridors where it is seldom found far from them.Records mapped by Collins (1982) have since been reidentified (Hamilton County) or discredited/uncorroborated (Wallace County) (see Collins 1984)
Fitch and Maslin (1961) and Fitch (1965) studied this snake on the Great Plains, and much of the information from Kansas is based on their observations.
The Common Gartersnake is found in a wide variety of habitats, including marshes and wet meadows, margins of ponds, woodland and woodland edge, floodplains, and cultivated fields. It generally prefers areas with moderately moist vegetation. Platt (1985) found this reptile more common in the sand prairie habitat of western Harvey County than in the eastern part which lacked this habitat.
This hardy species is active from March to November at air temperatures ranging from 55° to 100°F. During warm periods from December to February, it frequently emerges from its underground winter retreats. Although this snake is active over a wide range of time and air temperatures, it appears to prefer air temperatures around 85°F.
Common Gartersnakes are active during the day and have a home range of 22- 35 acres. Estimates indicate a population density as high as three of these snakes per acre in northeastern Kansas (Fitch, 1982).
This snake mates during early spring and occasionally in the fall. On the first warm spring days, males search actively for females, locating them by scent. Several males may court the same female. The males lie alongside the female, their bodies rhythmically writhing. A successful male curls his tail beneath that of the passive female until his cloaca meets hers. Copulation occurs, and the female may drag the male along as she crawls.
Females give birth to young in late summer or fall. Litters are quite large in this species; the number of young per litter varies from four to 85 (Fitch, 1985), with an average of twenty. Collins (1974) recorded three females from Douglas County giving birth to 33, 35, and 35 young, respectively, during late July and August, the normal time of birth. Species of Thamnophis are viviparous and develop functional chorioallantoic and omphalallantoic placentae. Although embryos are predominantly lecithotrophic, substantial maternal transfer of respiratory gases, water, sodium, and calcium occurs, and experimental evidence demonstrates organic nutrient transfer consistent with incipient placentotrophy.
The Common Gartersnake feeds chiefly on frogs and earthworms but will also occasionally eat toads, small mice, and other small snakes. Henderson (1974) reported that examples of this snake from Douglas and Harvey counties fed almost exclusively on frogs.
Predators of this snake include hawks, large snakes, and mammals. Burt (1949) reported a young Common Gartersnake trapped and eaten by a large garden spider. Fitch (2001) reported the following prey items in decreasing abundance for northeast Kansas snakes: Allolbophora caliginosa (an earthworm), Lithobates blairi, Lithobates catesbeianus, Anaxyrus americanus, Anaxyrus woodhousii, Hyla chrysoscelis/versicolor, Acris crepitans, Pseudacris maculata, and three mammals (Microtus ochrogaster, Peromyscus leucopus, and Reithrodontomys megalotis).
Capron (1985) recorded 33 of these snakes killed by swathing (mowing) machines during agricultural harvests from May to mid-July in southern Kansas. Dillenbeck (1986) discovered nine of these harmless reptiles, all deliberately killed, along the Ninnescah River in southcentral Kansas.
First reported in Kansas by Hallowell (1857) based on two specimens collected by Fort Riley surgeon William A. Hammond. The earliest available specimen (USNM 11934) was collected at Fort Riley by the post surgeon Bernard J. D. Irwin sometime during 1867.
Boundy (1999) found evidence to elevate the annectens phenotype present in north Texas and presumably (because he didn't include samples) those populations in Seward and southwest Meade counties in Kansas.
The annectens phenotype also shows up in extreme southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas.
The annectens form was first mentioned from Kansas by Fitch (1961) and confirmed by Irwin (1992). The 'eastern' form was first mentioned from Kansas by Collins, Collins, and Taggart (2010).
Rundquist (1999) reported assumed hybridization with a captive male Thamnophis radix, however, given that long-term sperm storage and multiple paternity have been reported in T. sirtalis, there are other interpretations not considered.
Based on a captive specimen, Snider and Bowler (1992) reported a maximum longevity for this species of fourteen years.
References
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nestlings. Wilson Bulletin 89(2):349-350.
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Collins, Joseph T. 1992. Results of the fourth Kansas herp count held during April-May 1992. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (89):10-.
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Collins, Joseph T. 1994. New records of amphibians and reptiles in Kansas for 1993. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (97):15-19.
Rundquist, Eric M. 1994. Results of the sixth annual KHS herp counts held 1 April-31 May 1994. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (97):5-14.
Riedle, J. Daren. 1994. A survey of reptiles and amphibians at Montgomery County State Fishing Lake. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (98):11-13.
Rundquist, Eric M. 1994. Additions and corrections [to the results of the sixth annual KHS herp counts held 1 April-31 May 1994]. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (98):4.
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Anderson, Lewis, Mark Shaw, Jeff Blodig, and Tom Walker. 1995. Report to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks: Herps encountered during REmap project, summer 1994. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (99):10-17.
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Collins, Joseph T. 1996. New records of amphibians and reptiles in Kansas for 1995. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (103):13-15.
Miller, Larry L. 1996. Results of the KHS 1995 fall field trip. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (103):3.
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Rundquist, Eric M. 1996. Notes on the natural history of some Kansas amphibians and reptiles: Parasites. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (105):16-17.
Miller, Larry L. 1996. Third graders conduct amphibian and reptile field study. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (106):15.
Miller, Larry L. 1996. Many amphibian and reptile species identified during KHS 1996 fall field trip to Wabaunsee County. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (106):2-3.
Rakestraw, J. 1996. Spring herp counts: A Kansas tradition. Reptile & Amphibian Magazine (March-April):75-80.
Rundquist, Eric M. 1997. Results of the ninth annual KHS herp counts held 1 April-31 May 1997. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (108):12-17.
Rundquist, Eric M. 1997. Addendum to 1997 KHS herp counts. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (109):14-15.
Collins, Joseph T. 1997. A report on the KHS fall field trip to the Marais des Cygnes wildlife refuges. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (110):2-3.
Conant, Roger and Joseph T. Collins. 1998. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. 3rd ed, expanded. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Gamble, Jerre. 1998. Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hartford, Kansas. 91 pp.
Rundquist, Eric M. 1998. Results of the tenth annual KHS herp counts for 1998, held 1 April-31 May. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (112):11-18.
Rundquist, Eric M. 1998. KDWP herp sting so far nets nine on Kansas and Federal charges. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (112):5-6.
Collins, Joseph T. 1998. Results of the KHS silver anniversary fall field trip. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (114):6-.
Boundy, Jeff. 1999. Systematics of the Common Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis. Dissertation. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. 497 pp.
Rundquist, Eric M. 1999. Kansas Herpetological Society herp counts: A 10 year summary and evaluation. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (115):42962.
Taggart, Travis W. 1999. Cherokee County fall 1999 herp count. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (117):6.
Rundquist, Eric M. 1999. Garter snake hybridization. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (118):15.
Fitch, Henry S. 2000. Population structure and biomass of some common snakes in central North America. Scientific Papers of the Natural History Museum, University of Kansas (17):1-7.
Miller, Larry L. 2000. A winter snake in Shawnee County. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (119):11.
Taggart, Travis W. 2000. KHS spring field trip sets record for attendance. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (120):5-5.
Taggart, Travis W. 2000. Biogeographic analysis of the reptiles (Squamata) in Ellis County, Kansas. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (121):7-16.
Rundquist, Eric M. 2000. Results of the eleventh and twelfth annual KHS herpetofaunal counts for 1999-2000, held 1 April-31 May. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (122):11-16.
Taggart, Travis W. 2000. Results of the KHS 2000 fall field trip. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (122):6-8.
Johnson, Richard W. 2001. Spatial ecology of the Eastern Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) in and eastern Texas upland community. Thesis. Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas. 54 pp.
Fitch, Henry S. 2001. Further study of the garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, in northeastern Kansas. Scientific Papers of the Natural History Museum, University of Kansas (19):1-6.
Lardie, Richard L. 2001. The subspecific status of the Common Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, in western Oklahoma. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (123):16-18.
Guarisco, Hank. 2001. Ode to an ophidion autumn. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (123):19.
Taggart, Travis W. 2001. The KHS 2001 spring field trip: A rainy rendezvous. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (124):12-14.
Ellis, Mark R. 2001. Reproduction in the Common Garter Snake in Shawnee County, Kansas. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (125):12.
Rundquist, Eric M. 2001. Results of the thirteenth annual KHS herp counts for 2001, held 1 April-30 June. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (125):13-16.
Kingsbury, Bruce and Joanna Gibson. 2002. Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Midwest. Publication of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Address not given. 152 pp.
Fogell, Daniel D. 2002. Occurrence and relative abundance of amphibians and reptiles at
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Homestead National Monument of
America, and Pipestone National Monument within the Heartland Inventory
and Monitoring Network. Interim Report. National Park Service, Washington, D.C.. 6 pp.
Riedle, J. Daren and A. Hynek. 2002. Amphibian and reptile inventory of the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, Labette County, Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (2):18-20.
Ellis, Mark R. 2002. Fall 2002 KHS field trip to Washington County. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (2):4-5.
Taggart, Travis W. 2002. Results of the KHS 2002 fall field Trip. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (4):11-13.
Miller, Larry L. 2002. Osage County herp count II. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (4):15.
Miller, Larry L. 2002. Shawnee County herp count. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (4):15.
Miller, Larry L. 2002. Sumner County herp count. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (4):15.
Freeman, Craig C. 2003. A natural areas inventory of the Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation, Leavenworth County, Kansas. II. Open-file Report No. 117. Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence, Kansas. 199 pp.
Fogell, Daniel D. 2003. A herpetofaunal inventory of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Homestead National Monument of America, and Pipestone National Monument within the Heartland Inventory
and Monitoring Network. National Park Service, Washington, D.C.. 59 pp.
Taggart, Travis W. 2003. KHS conducts first systematic road survey. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (6):11-12.
Platt, Dwight R. 2003. Lizards and snakes (Order Squamata) of Harvey County, Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (6):13-20.
Fitch, Henry S. 2003. Reproduction in snakes of the Fitch Natural History Reservation in northeastern Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (6):21-24.
Taggart, Travis W. 2003. Results of the 2003 KHS spring field trip to Wilson County. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (6):2-5.
Miller, Larry L. and Suzanne L. Miller. 2003. Wakarusa herp count. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (7):10.
Volkmann, Al. 2003. Cowley County herp count 1. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (7):7.
Collins, Joseph T. 2003. Douglas County herp count. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (7):8.
Miller, Larry L. 2003. Indian Creek herp count. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (7):9.
Suleiman, Gibran. 2003. Fort Riley herp count. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (7):9.
Taggart, Travis W. 2003. Results of the KHS 2003 fall field trip. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (8):14-15.
Fitch, Henry S., Scott Sharp, and Kylee Sharp. 2003. Snakes of the University of Kansas biotic succession area. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (8):20-21.
Setser, Kirk and John F. Cavitt. 2003. Effects of burning on snakes in Kansas, USA, tallgrass prairie. Natural Areas Journal 23(4):315-319.
Delisle, Jennifer M. and William H. Busby. 2004. Biological inventory for vertebrates at Fort Larned National Historic Site of the southern plains network. Natural Heritage Inventory, Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence. 61 pp.
Fitch, Henry S. 2004. The effect of female size on number of eggs or young in snakes. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (9):11-12.
Fitch, Henry S. 2004. Food surplus and body size in local populations of snakes. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (10):14-16.
Volkmann, Al. 2004. Cowley County herp count. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):10.
Miller, Larry L. 2004. Sumner County herp count. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):11-12.
Ellis, Mark R. and Kathy Ellis. 2004. Wakarusa herp count. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):12.
Schmidt, Curtis J. 2004. Geographic distribution: Thamnophis sirtalis. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):14.
Rehmeier, Ryan L. and Raymond S. Matlack. 2004. Life history. Thamnophis sirtalis. Diet. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):15.
Klug, Page. 2005. The effects of local grassland habitat and surrounding landscape compostion [sic] on the predators of grassland bird nests. Thesis. University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska. 143 pp.
Taggart, Travis W. 2005. Results of the KHS 2005 fall field trip [to Crawford County]. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (16):19-21.
Taggart, Travis W. 2006. Distribution and status of Kansas herpetofauna in need of information. State Wildlife Grant T7. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Pratt. vii + 106 pp.
Wilgers, Dustin J. and Eva A. Horne. 2006. Effects of different burn regimes on tallgrass prairie herpetofaunal species diversity and community composition in the Flint Hills, Kansas. Journal of Herpetology 40:73-84.
Wilgers, Dustin J., Eva A. Horne, Brett K. Sandercock, and Allan W. Volkmann. 2006. Effects of rangeland management on community dynamics of the herpetofauna of the tallgrass prairie. 62:378-388.
Wiens, Jonathan P. 2008. Habitat use and abundance of the Common Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, at the northern limit of its range in Manitoba. Thesis. University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. 132 pp.
Maxell, Bryce A., Paul Hendricks, M. T. Gates, and S. Lenard. 2009. Montana amphibian and reptile status assessment, literature review, and conservation plan. Montana Natural Heritage Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT. 642 pp.
Murrow, Daniel G. 2009. KHS 2009 spring field trip. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (29):42769.
Collins, Joseph T., Suzanne L. Collins, and Travis W. Taggart. 2010. Amphibians, Reptiles, and Turtles of Kansas. Eagle Mountain Publishing., Provo, Utah. 400 pp.
Murrow, Daniel G. 2010. Kansas Herpetological Society spring field trip. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (33):2-3.
Gray, Brian S. 2010. Distribution of native and exotic earthworms in the eastern United States: Implications for the ecology of vermivorous snakes. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 45(5):73-86.
McMartin, David C. 2011. U. S. Army 2011 Fort Leavenworth Herpetofaunal Survey: 23 April - 09 May 2011. Privately printed, Leavenworth, Kansas. 33 pp.
Taggart, Travis W. 2011. Kansas Herpetological Society 2011 spring field trip to be held in Chautauqua County. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (37):5-7.
Taggart, Travis W. 2011. Results of the KHS Spring Field Trip to Chautauqua County. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (38):2-4.
Taggart, Travis W. 2011. Results of the Kansas Herpetological Society 2011 Fall Field Trip to Lovewell State Park. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (39):4-5.
McMartin, D. Chris. 2011. Herp Count: Fort Leavenworth Herpetofaunal Survey for 2011. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (39):8-9.
Houck, Mike. 2011. Fort Riley Herpetofaunal Survey for 2011. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (39):9.
Dloogatch, Michael A. (Editor). 2011. Herpetology 2011. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 46(7):90.
Mooi, Randall D., Jonathan P. Wiens, and Gary S. Casper. 2011. Extreme color variation within populations Thamnophis sirtalis, in central North America, subspecies. Copeia 2011(2):187-200.
Rohweder, Megan R. 2012. Spatial conservation prioritization of Kansas for terrestrial vertebrates. Thesis. Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas. 151 pp.
Powell, Robert, Joseph T Collins, and Errol D Hooper Jr. 2012. Key to the Herpetofauna of the Continental United States and Canada: Second Edition, Revised and Updated. Univ Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. 152 pp.
Kauffman, Greg Lee. 2013. Stable isotope analysis of a middle woodland population from north central Kansas. Thesis. University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. 110 pp.
Miller, Larry L. 2013. Wellington Lake Herpetological Survey. Collinsorum 2(1/2):12.
Sinclair, Tom. 2013. A four-day spring snake count across northern Kansas. Collinsorum 2(1/2):9.
Taggart, Travis W. 2013. KHS 2012 Spring Field Trip to Bourbon County State Lake. Collinsorum 2(3/4):3.
Taggart, Travis W. 2013. KHS 2012 Fall Field Trip to Atchison County State Lake. Collinsorum 2(3/4):4.
Taggart, Travis W. 2013. KHS 2013 Spring Field Trip to Schermerhorn Park, Cherokee County. Collinsorum 2(3/4):4.
Taggart, Travis W. 2013. KHS 2013 Summer Field Trip to Coldwater Lake, Comanche County. Collinsorum 2(3/4):5.
Taggart, Travis W. 2013. KHS 2013 Fall Field Trip to Butler County State Lake. Collinsorum 2(3/4):6.
Mardis, Dexter and Kevin Scott. 2013. 2013 Kansas Herpetofaunal Counts. Collinsorum 2(3/4):7.
Johnson, Stephen R. 2013. Half-time herping on one big prairie. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 48(5):65-66.
McMartin, D. Chris. 2014. Fort Leavenworth Heretofaunal Survey for 2013. Collinsorum 3(1):10.
Taggart, Travis W. 2014. Results of the 2014 KHS Fall Field Trip to Woodson County. Collinsorum 3(2-4):12.
Taggart, Travis W. 2014. Recent scientific and standard English name changes effecting the Kansas herpetofauna. Collinsorum 3(2-4):9-10.
Brown, Kasandra A. 2015. Occupancy Modeling Of Herpetofauna And Grassland Nesting Birds At Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Thesis. Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas. 72 pp.
Houck, Mike. 2015. 2015 Fort Riley Herpetofaunal Count final report. Collinsorum 4(1):10-11.
Taggart, Travis W. 2015. Spring Field Trip to the Greenhorn Limestone of Russell County. Collinsorum 4(3):2.
Taggart, Travis W. 2015. Summer Field Trip In The Harvey County Sandhills. Collinsorum 4(3):3.
Taggart, Travis W. 2015. Fall Field Trip Held In Washington County. Collinsorum 4(3):4.
Gray, Brian S. 2015. Natural history observations of the Common Gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis, from northwest Pennsylvania. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 50(5):61-72.
Pittman, Galen L., Henry S. Fitch, and W. Dean Kettle. 2016. Vertebrate animals on the Fitch Natural History Reservation (1948-2002). Kansas Biological Survey Report Number 188, Lawrence. 48 pp.
Powell, Robert, Roger Conant, and Joseph T. Collins. 2016. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston. 494 pp.
Taggart, Travis W. 2016. Spring 2016 KHS field trip to Clark County was a soggy success. Collinsorum 5(2-3):2-3.
Taggart, Travis W. 2016. Results of the KHS Summer field trip to Caney River, Chautauqua County, Kansas. Collinsorum 5(2-3):4-5.
Taggart, Travis W. 2016. Results of the KHS ‘Fall’ field trip to Barber County. Collinsorum 5(2-3):6-7.
Crother, Brian I. (editor). 2017. Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with Comments Regarding Confidence in Our Understanding. Eighth edition. Herpetological Circulars (43):1-102.
Mardis, Dexter R. 2017. Results from three Herpetofaunal tallies at Wichita State University’s Youngmeyer Ranch in Northwestern
Elk County. Collinsorum 6(1):8-10.
Wiese, Joshua D., Brice Krohn, and Andrew J. Caven. 2017. Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
mortality likely resulting from cold exposure
following late winter hibernaculum emergence. Collinsorum 6(2-3).
Taggart, Travis W. 2017. Results of the 2017 KHS Spring Field Trip to Elk County, Kansas. Collinsorum 6(2-3):6-8.
Houck, Mike. 2018. Herp Count: Fort Riley Military Installation. Collinsorum 7(1):17.
Leao, Suelem Muniz, Eric R. Pianka, and Nicolás Pelegrin. 2018. Is there evidence for population regulation in amphibians and reptiles? Journal of Herpetology 52(1):28-33.
Rose, Jonathan P., Brian J. Halstead, Glenn D. Wylie, and Michael L. Casazza. 2018. Spatial and temporal variability in growth of Giant Gartersnakes: Plasticity,
precipitation, and prey. Journal of Herpetology 52(1):40-49.
Powell, Robert, Joseph T Collins, and Errol D Hooper Jr. 2019. Key to the Herpetofauna of the Continental United States and Canada. Third Edition. Univ Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. 192 pp.
Key, Kayla N., Banta, Joshua A., Gluesenkamp, Andrew G., Hertweck, Kate L., and Placyk, John S. 2019. Conservation biology of a southwestern endemic, the Texas Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis annectens: An integrative perspective. The Southwestern Naturalist 64(1):8-19.
Daniel, Richard E. and Brian S. Edmond. 2020. Atlas of Missouri Amphibians and Reptiles for 2019. Privately printed, Columbia, Missouri. 86 pp.
Riedle, J. Daren. 2020. Revisiting Kansas Herpetological Society field trip and Herp Count data:
Distributional patterns and trend data of Kansas amphibians and reptiles. Collinsorum 9(1):7-16.
Hullinger, Allison, Zackary Cordes, Daren Riedle, and William Stark. 2020. Habitat assessment of the Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps)
and the associated squamate community in eastern Kansas. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 123(1-2):137-150.
Taggart, Travis W and Sarah L Taggart. 2021. Herp Count: Neosho County: KHS-2020-01. Collinsorum 9(3):11.
Taggart, Travis W and Sarah L Taggart. 2021. Herp Count: Cherokee County: KHS-2020-02. Collinsorum 9(3):11-12.
Riedle, J. Daren, Tamera D. Riedle, Zachary Riedle, and Greya Riedle. 2021. Herp Count: Pratt County: KHS-2020-05. Collinsorum 9(3):12.
Taggart, Travis W and Sarah L Taggart. 2021. Herp Count: Cherokee County: KHS-2020-03. Collinsorum 9(3):12.
Riedle, J. Daren, Tamera D. Riedle, Zachary Riedle, and Greya Riedle. 2021. Herp Count: Stafford County: KHS-2020-34. Collinsorum 9(3):16.
Hallas, Joshua M., Thomas L. Parchman, and Chris R. Feldman. 2022. Phylogenomic analyses resolve relationships among garter snakes
(Thamnophis: Natricinae: Colubridae) and elucidate biogeographic history
and morphological evolution. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 167(2022):107374.
Russell, Elisabeth. 2023. Habitat associations and fine-scale movements of the Red-spotted Toad (Anaxyrus punctatus) in Kansas and the efficacy of remote telemetry for monitoring small-scale movements. Thesis. Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas. 81 pp.
Nuñez, Leroy P., Levi N Gray, David Weisrock, and Frank T Burbrink. 2023. The phylogenomic and biogeographic history of the Gartersnakes, Watersnakes, and Allies (Natricidae: Thamnophiini). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 186(2023):107844.
Jones, Leonard N., II, Adam D. Leache, and Frank T. Burbrink. 2023. Biogeographic barriers and historic climate shape the phylogeography and demography of the Common Gartersnake. Journal of Biogeography 2012–2029:18.
Wright, Jake. 2024. Herpetofaunal assemblage at a former rock quarry in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Collinsorum 13(1):8-9.
Paysen, Joseph W. 2024. Common Gartersnake roadkill scavenging. Collinsorum 13(1):9-10.
Paysen, Joseph W., MacKenzie J. Smith, Carter Kruse, and Keith Geluso. 2024. Natural history notes. Thamnophis sirtalis. Diet. Herpetological Review 55(1):125.