PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status Animal Group

Butler's Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri)

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Photo by A.B. Sheldon

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Butler's Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri), a Special Concern species in Wisconsin, prefers almost any open or semi-open canopy wetland habitat and adjacent open or semi-open canopy upland habitat, including prairies, old fields, and weedy vacant lots. They prefer low-canopy vegetation (<24"), although they will occupy areas with taller vegetation such as reed canary grass. Butler's gartersnakes can be active from early-March through mid-November and usually emerge shortly after frost-out and remain active until daytime temperatures fall consistently below 50 deg F. Breeding usually occurs in April and early-May but can also occur in fall. Live young are born between mid-July and mid-August. See the species guidance document for avoidance measures and management guidance from the Natural Heritage Conservation Program.

 
 
 

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.