It is important to note that every species of snake in Iowa is protected with the exception of garter and ribbon snakes and in some cases, timber rattlesnakes. Being protected means it's illegal ...

Below is a quick look at those three snake species to be aware of this spring and summer: ...

In these shallow, ephemeral waters, species like the Mexican garter snake once carved out a precarious existence. But these highly adapted, rare animals are no match for pumping, livestock grazing, ...

Garter snakes use a wide variety of habitats, from woodlands to marshes to fields and exist quite well around human habitations. These snakes, like many other species, are variable in color and ...

It can occur between species that are predator and prey ... which is food for the garter snake. Over time, some genetic variants of the snake that are resistant to the toxin have emerged ...