A slender garter-snake relative with three yellow stripes on a dark body and very long tail. Excellent swimmers, often hunting frogs and tadpoles in shallow water.

Also called: Eastern Ribbon Snake, Common Ribbon Snake

Native status: Native to eastern North America

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 50–95 cm (20–37 in)
Weight60–250 g
LifespanWild typically 4 years; captive 10+
OrderSquamata
FamilyColubridae

§ Encyclopedia

Thamnophis saurita, also known as the eastern ribbon snake, common ribbon snake, or simply ribbon snake, is a common species of garter snake native to Eastern North America. It is a non-venomous species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The ribbon snake averages 16 to 35 inches in total length. It is dark brown with bright yellow stripes. The ribbon snake is not sexually dimorphic; however, females are normally thicker than their male counterparts.

Source: Wikipedia — Thamnophis saurita Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Slender snake with three bright yellow stripes (one down the back, two on sides) on dark brown background; pale belly; long thin tail.

Similar species. Eastern Garter Snake (heavier-bodied; shorter tail; less defined stripes). Western Ribbon Snake (different range). Northern Water Snake (no stripes; heavier body).

Voice. N/A; releases foul musk if handled.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Tadpoles, frogs, small fish, salamanders.

Behavior. Slender wetland snake closely related to garter snakes but distinguished by proportionally longer tail (over 25% of total body length, vs. ~20% in garter snakes) and habitat preference for wet meadow, marsh, and pond margins. Excellent swimmer; readily takes to water when threatened. Gives live birth to 10–25 young in late summer.

§ Range

Eastern US

§ Habitat

Pond, swamp, and stream edges

§ Threats

Wetland loss, road mortality, outdoor cat predation.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern ribbon snake is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Maintain wetland buffers. Don't kill snakes. Keep cats indoors.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Davidson College Department of Biology
  • Virginia Herpetological Society
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List 2007