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 Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus)

Eastern Ribbon Snake | Thamnophis sauritus-sauritus photo
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Photograph by Ande9174. License: Public Domain.  (view image details)








EASTERN RIBBON SNAKE FACTS
Description
The Eastern Ribbon Snake is a slender snake. It is olive-black with a tan or yellow stripe along the back. There is also a pale tan or yellowish stripe on each side along the third and fourth rows of scales above the belly. There are also some white flecks on the sides between the stripes. The underside is uniform yellow-green. There is a white spot in front of the eye. Juveniles are similar to adults.

Size
average length 50cm - 85cm. Can grow to 95cm

Environment
pine woodland, deciduous woodland, prairies, marshes, streams, ponds.

Food
eats small fish, tadpoles, salamanders, small frogs and toads, and sometimes insects.

Breeding
Eastern Ribbon Snakes give birth to an average of 12 live young (range from 4 - 27). Females give birth in late summer or early fall.

Range
found from eastern Louisiana to southern Maine, and the Florida panhandle (but not on the peninsula) .

Notes
Ribbon Snakes have toxins in their saliva and the bite can produce mild reaction in humans. They are not considered dangerous to humans, although they excrete a foul smelling musk when handled.

Classification
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata (Serpentes)
Family:Colubridae
Genus:Thamnophis
Species:sauritus sauritus
Common Name:Eastern Ribbon Snake


Relatives in same Genus
  Butler's Garter Snake (T. butleri)
  Blackneck Garter Snake (T. cyrtopsis)
  Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (T. elegans)
  Coast Garter Snake (T. elegans terrestris)
  Two-Striped Garter Snake (T. hammondii)
  Checkered Garter Snake (T. marcianus marcianus)
  Redstripe Ribbon Snake (T. proximus rubrilineatus)
  Northern Ribbon Snake (T. sauritus septentrionalis)
  Texas Garter Snake (T. sirtalis annectens)
  California Red-Sided Garter Snake (T. sirtalis infernalis)
  Common Garter Snake (T. sirtalis sirtalis)







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