Eastern Ribbon Snake
Scientific name: Thamnophis sauritus sauritus (LINNAEUS 1766)
* Currently accepted name
* scientific names used through time
- Coluber saurita – LINNAEUS 1766
- Natrix saurita – MERREM 1820
- Tropidonotus saurita – BOIE 1827
- Leptophis sauritus – HOLBROOK 1842
- Thamnophis saurita – FITZINGER 1843
- Eutainia saurita – BAIRD & GIRARD 1853
- Eutaenia saurita – KENNICOTT 1859
- Prymnomoidon chalceus – COPE 1860
- Thamnophis sauritus – STONE 1906
- Thamnophis sirtalis – KLAUBER 1948
- Thamnophis sauritus sackeni – CONANT 1958
- Thamnophis sauritus sauritus – ROSSMAN 1963
Description: Average adult size is 20-34 inches (50.8-86.3 cm), record is 38 inches (96.5 cm). Adults are slender-bodied, olive-black with a light tannish-brown, orange, or yellow mid-dorsal stripe. There is an additional light tannish stripe on each side of the body occupying the 3rd and 4th dorsal scale rows above the belly. There are light whitish fleckings on each side between the mid-dorsal and lateral stripes. There is a distinct white spot in front of the eye. The belly is uniform yellowish-green. A complete tail is up to one-third of the total body length. The scales are keeled, and there are 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Juveniles are similar to that of adults.
A. Top of the head
B. Underside of the head (chin and throat)
C. Keeled scales
D. Front (face view) of the head
E. Side of the head
Range: In Florida, the Eastern Ribbon Snake occurs in the panhandle. Outside of Florida, it is found from eastern Louisiana north to southern Maine.
Habitat: Commonly found in pinelands, hardwood hammocks, cypress strands, prairies, marshes, streams, ponds, and bogs.
Comments: HARMLESS (Non-Venomous). The Eastern Ribbon Snake is semiaquatic and active during the day. It is frequently found along the banks of canals and ditches, and around houses in residential areas. After heavy rains, it is sometimes found at night crossing roads in search of food.
Comparison with other species: The Bluestripe Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus nitae) has light blue stripes on its sides occupying the 2nd and 3rd dorsal scale rows above the belly. The Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is thicker-bodied and has black-outlined scales on the upper lip.