Quick Answer

In the previous blog we sent this mystery photograph for you to identify.  The word I omitted was "slithering."  If you didn't get it before, click to enlarge the picture again and see if you have better luck, then read on below.
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If you studied the picture as I did, it maybe its a sign that you have too much time on your hands and need to get outdoors.

Okay, there is a snake.  With the stripe on the back, it might be a garter snake.  One trick I use is to Google search for a possible species in Missouri, in this case "garter snake MDC." The MDC Discover Nature Field Guide frequently comes up as the first choice and clicking on that brings up this page.  Check it out and especially go down to the "similar species" at the bottom of the page.

Click to enlarge

Go ahead, I will wait for you.
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Tonya identified it as an orange-striped ribbonsnake, Thamnophis proximus proximus.  The MDC Field Guide describes it here.

Check it out, then try getting outside, even if it is just to listen to the birds.  Here is a challenge we put on the new W.O.L.F. Den blog.