Thamnophis saurita

Thamnophis saurita
Eastern ribbon snake (Thamnophis saurita)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Thamnophis
Species:
T. saurita
Binomial name
Thamnophis saurita
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Subspecies

Four, see text

Synonyms
List
    • Coluber saurita
      Linnaeus, 1766
    • Tropidonotus saurita
      F. Boie, 1827
    • Leptophis sauritus
      Holbrook, 1842
    • Eutaenia saurita
      Baird & Girard, 1853
    • Prymnomiodon chalceus
      Cope, 1861
    • Thamnophis sauritus
      Ruthven, 1908
    • Thamnophis saurita
      Kraus & Cameron, 2016

Thamnophis saurita, also known as the eastern ribbon snake, common ribbon snake, or simply ribbon snake, is a common species of garter snake native to Eastern North America. It is a non-venomous species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The ribbon snake averages 16 to 35 inches (41 to 89 cm) in total length (including tail). It is dark brown with bright yellow stripes. The ribbon snake is not sexually dimorphic; however, females are normally thicker than their male counterparts.

The ribbon snake can be found in wet climates such as lakes, streams, ponds and marshes. The ribbon snake is active from April to October and hibernates during the winter months. Maturity is reached around 3 years of age.