Common Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis saurita
Exhibits one yellow stripe running down top of back and two yellow stripes running on either side of body. Average length is from 16-28 total inches; displays keeled scal…
How to identify
Exhibits one yellow stripe running down top of back and two yellow stripes running on either side of body. Average length is from 16-28 total inches; displays keeled scales. Venter is yellowish; lip scales are not patterned. Adults are sexually mature at either 2 or 3 years old. Young are birthed in late summer; clutch size ranges from 3 to 26.
Range
Eastern United States and Canada from southern Nova Scotia to southeastern Louisiana, the Gulf Coast, and southern Florida.
Habitat
Generally stays near natural cover like grass and shrubs. Inhabits marshes, swamps, slow streams, and wet meadows. Will hibernate in animal burrows, the mounds of ants, and sometimes on high rocky slopes.
Variations
Subspecies Peninsula Ribbon Snake, or *Thamnophis sauritus sackenii*, displays a middorsal stripe that is less distinct than that of other subspecies.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Saurita: Latin for lizard like.
More illustrations
Northern Ribbon snake
At a glance
Size
46.0 to 86.2 cm
Range
Eastern United States and Canada from southern Nova Scotia to southeastern Louisiana, the Gulf Coast, and southern Florida.
Habitat
Generally stays near natural cover like grass and shrubs. Inhabits marshes, swamps, slow streams, and wet meadows. Will hiber…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap