Eastern Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis sauritus
A slender, striped water-loving snake closely related to garter snakes, distinguished by its very long tail and slim build.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.5-1.0 m (1.6-3.3 ft)
- Range
- Eastern United States
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Overview
The Eastern Ribbon Snake is a slender, agile relative of the garter snakes, closely tied to wetlands and shorelines. It is more strictly aquatic in habits than most garter snakes, rarely straying far from water.
Its especially long, thin tail and lean build help distinguish it from the more robust common garter snake with which it often coexists.
How to identify it
- Very slender body with three bright yellow to cream longitudinal stripes on a dark brown to black background
- Distinctly long, whip-like tail making up a large proportion of total length
- Keeled scales
- Plain, unmarked area between the stripes (unlike some garter snakes with checkered patterns)
- Distinguished from the common garter snake by its slimmer build, longer tail, and unmarked lateral stripe area
Habitat & range
Closely associated with the edges of ponds, marshes, bogs, and slow streams throughout the eastern United States, rarely found far from water.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal, an agile swimmer often seen basking on shoreline vegetation, quick to dive into water when threatened. Feeds mainly on amphibians and small fish. Bears live young in summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Eastern Ribbon Snake venomous?
No, it is non-venomous and harmless.
How is it different from a garter snake?
It has a slimmer body, a much longer tail, and stays closer to water than most garter snakes.
What does it eat?
Mainly amphibians such as frogs and small fish, along with other small aquatic prey.
Eastern Ribbon Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Eastern Ribbon Snake.
