Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Suborder Serpentes Rank Subspecies | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Family Colubridae | |
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Scientific name Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis Similar Ribbon snake, Eastern Ribbon Snake, Butler's garter snake, Northern redbelly snake, Storeria occipitomaculata | ||
Northern ribbon snake swimming foraging
The northern ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis) is a subspecies of garter snake. It is one of four subspecies of the ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) and occurs in the United States and Canada in southern Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, southern Ontario, Michigan, New York, Nova Scotia, northern Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. It is listed as a state endangered species in Wisconsin. It is a slender black or brown snake with three bright-yellow or white stripes on its back and sides. The head is black, with the scales alongside the mouth being white. The underside is also white or light yellow. Adult ribbon snakes are 45–65 cm (18–26 in) in length.
Ribbon snakes inhabit marshes or live near the edges of lakes, ponds, and streams. They swim well and their diets include frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, small fish, and insects.
Northern ribbon snakes have from three to 26 young which are born in late summer. The young snakes are 7-9 in long and are colored the same as the adults. As most garter snakes, the mother gives birth to live young (ovoviviparous).
