The eastern ribbon snake is a slender and agile species, growing up to 36 inches in length, including their tail, which is long and slender.
These snakes are found in the eastern United States, from New York to Florida, and as far west as Texas.
Their habitat consists of wetlands, including marshes, swamps, and wet meadows, where they can be found basking in the sun on logs or rocks.
Eastern ribbon snakes are carnivores and feed on small fish, frogs, and invertebrates, such as crayfish and snails.
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Physical Characteristics
The Eastern Ribbon Snake is a slender snake, typically ranging from 18-26 inches in total length, with some individuals reaching up to 41 inches.
Their bodies are extremely slender, with three thin light-colored stripes running the length of the body. The stripes vary in color and are typically yellow, tannish-brown, blue, or whitish-green, although some individuals may be stripeless.
The background color of the snake's body is brown, olive-black, or bluish-black, with one thin stripe running down the middle of the back and one stripe running along each side. The stripes are often accompanied by light-colored flecking along the sides of the body between the back and side stripes.
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The belly of the Eastern Ribbon Snake is uniform yellowish-green and without any markings. The body scales are keeled, meaning each scale has a prominent raised ridge, and are arranged in 19 dorsal rows at midbody.
The head of the Eastern Ribbon Snake is only slightly distinct from the neck, and the upper lip scales are white and unmarked. The eyes are large and prominent, with a round pupil, and a distinct white spot is found in front of each eye.
The tongue of the Eastern Ribbon Snake is a bright red color with a black tip.
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Habitat and Needs
The Eastern ribbon snake is a semi-aquatic species that thrives in a variety of wetland habitats. They can be found in areas like emergent marshes, wet meadows, and scrub-shrub wetlands.
Adults and juveniles often occupy suburban neighborhoods where development has encroached into these favorable habitats. This is likely due to the abundance of food and suitable shelter in these areas.
Being semi-aquatic, Eastern ribbon snakes are almost always near water and prefer warm microclimates. They seem to favor these conditions, which is likely why they're often found in pastures and open woods.
Eastern ribbon snakes use various shelter options for winter hibernacula, including muskrat bank burrows, ant mounds, mammal tunnels, and rock crevices. These sheltered areas provide them with the necessary protection during the colder months.
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Behavior and Defense
Eastern ribbon snakes are incredibly fast and agile, which they use to their advantage when threatened.
They will often flee for shelter or into the water to avoid capture.
If you're lucky enough to catch one, be prepared for a thrashing good time – they will release a foul-smelling musk from glands in the base of their tail.
This defense mechanism is a last resort, as they rarely attempt to bite in defense.
Gartersnake vs Ribbonsnake
The Eastern Ribbonsnake is often confused with the Common Gartersnake, but there are some key differences to look out for.
One way to tell them apart is by their head markings. The Eastern Ribbonsnake has a bright white upper lip, while the Common Gartersnake has a yellowish upper lip.
The Eastern Ribbonsnake also has a reddish-brown top of the head, whereas the Common Gartersnake has an olive green top of the head.
The Eastern Ribbonsnake has a straight black line behind the eye, while the Common Gartersnake does not.
A vertical white bar in front of the eye is also a distinguishing feature of the Eastern Ribbonsnake, although it's worth noting that this is a rare snake in Vermont.
Here's a quick summary of the key differences:
Detailed Information
The Eastern Ribbon Snake is a slender snake, typically measuring 18-26 inches in total length, with a record length of 41 inches.
Their body is covered in three thin light-colored stripes running the length of the body, although some individuals may be stripeless.
These snakes have a background color of brown, olive-black, or bluish-black, with one thin stripe running down the middle of the back and one stripe along each side on scale rows 3 and 4 above the belly.
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The stripes can vary in color and are typically yellow, tannish-brown, blue, or whitish-green, with light-colored flecking visible along the sides of the body between the back and side stripes.
Their body scales are keeled, with 19 dorsal rows at midbody, and the belly is a uniform yellowish-green without any markings.
The tail is long and thin, and the head is only slightly distinct from the neck.
The upper lip scales are white and unmarked, and the eyes are large and prominent with a round pupil.
A distinct white spot is present in front of each eye, and the tongue is bright red with a black tip.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you handle a ribbon snake?
No, it's best not to handle a ribbon snake as it may bite and is not well-suited for captivity
Are ribbon snakes rare?
Ribbon snakes are generally common to abundant in their preferred habitats, but their population can decline near the edges of their range. Their rarity is more likely to occur in areas where their habitat is limited or fragmented.
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