Northern ribbon snake

Northern ribbon snake
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Thamnophis
Species:	T. sauritus
Subspecies:	T. s. septentrionalis
Trinomial name
Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis Rossman, 1963

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).

External links

• Large Thamnophis site with many pictures