Reptile · GBIF taxon 2457577
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis sauritaAlso known as Common Ribbon Snake, Ribbon Snake
Eastern ribbon snakes are slender, highly active serpents frequently found along the sunny margins of ponds, marshes, and damp meadows. Exceptionally swift, they slip effortlessly into dense water vegetation when disturbed rather than adopting an aggressive stance. Females give birth to live young in late summer, producing litters that average roughly a dozen brightly striped offspring.
Semi-AquaticDiurnalHarmless
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tadpoles
- Frogs
- Salamanders
Predators
- Herons
- Raccoons
- Larger snakes
ThreatsWetland degradation, habitat fragmentation, water pollution
HabitatsWetlands, marshes, pond borders, damp woodlands
Life span6–10 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyColubridae
- SpeciesThamnophis saurita
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look along sunny marsh borders and low branches overhanging water during warm mornings.
- Approach: Move slowly, as these agile snakes quickly dive or retreat into cover when startled.
Competitor Patrick Coin (Patrick Coin) / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Prey (c) Matt Felperin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Felperin · cc-by
Close Relative Wilson44691 / Public domain · cc0
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