Wildlife Spotting

And this is also listed as an unknown catagory. Should be listed as a reptile.

Sometimes they don't list the correct names. If you look it list that name as a western species. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thamnophis_elegans

You might want to look at Garter snake (Thamnophis elegans ). It is featured on their website; http://www.nps.gov/romo/garter_snakes.htm

most likely the Eastern Gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/eastern-gartersnake

Maybe a Ribbon or Common Garter Snake.