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Latin Name: Thamnophis sauritus
Species: Reptile
Conservation Status: S5
The Eastern Ribbon Snake is a small, slender, nonvenomous snake that reaches up to 26 inches in length. Its body is brown or tan with three yellow or cream-colored stripes running from head to tail, bordered by thin black lines. The belly is light cream-colored, and its smooth lips lack the dark vertical lines seen in similar garter snakes. Its scales are keeled, giving the snake a slightly ridged texture.
Range & Habitat
This species is widespread across the eastern United States, east of the Mississippi River, and commonly found in wetland habitats. It favors marshes, ponds, and vegetated stream edges but can also be found in nearby forests and grasslands. As a semi-aquatic snake, it is often seen basking near water and is an excellent swimmer.
Diet
Eastern Ribbon Snakes primarily feed on small amphibians, such as frogs and tadpoles, and occasionally eat small fish and invertebrates.
Life History
These snakes are diurnal, active mainly during the day. They breed once or twice yearly, in spring and sometimes fall. Females give birth to live young—typically around 12 per litter, though up to 27 have been recorded—in late summer or fall. While their wild lifespan is not well known, captive individuals have lived over 10 years.
Significance
Eastern Ribbon Snakes play a role in controlling amphibian populations and may occasionally feed on insect pests.
Threats & How You Can Help
Eastern Ribbon Snakes are common and currently stable, but they do face habitat threats from wetland drainage and pollution. To help protect ribbon snakes and similar wetland species, maintain vegetated buffers around ponds and wetlands and minimize chemical runoff into these habitats.