Eastern Ribbonsnake

Thamnophis sauritus

COSEWIC Status: Special Concern

COSSARO Status: Special Concern

Credit: Scott Gillingwater

Have you seen this species at risk? Report your sighting.

Description

Adult body length is 45 to 66 cm (18 to 31 in).
Background colour of black with 3 yellow or greenish-yellow stripes down its back and sides (like a common gartersnake).
Has a very long tail (approximately ¼ to 1/3 of the body length).
Chin is pale yellow or white and there is a small white half-moon shaped spot in front of the eye.
Scales are keeled. A keeled scale is one that has a raised ridge along the scale’s mid-line, giving the snake a rough or textured appearance.

Mostly amphibians like frogs, salamanders and tadpoles. May eat small fish, insects, and worms.

Emerge from hibernation site (e.g. crayfish burrow) in April.
May bask in low shrubs.
May move into upland meadows in late spring or summer following amphibious prey.
Mate in early spring and have been know to mate again in the fall.
Give live birth to an average of 13 young in late July or August.
Young will mature in their 2nd or 3rd year.
Usually live less than 10 years.

Found along the edges of lakes, ponds and wetlands in areas with grasses, sedges and shrubs.

Northern Ribbonsnake’s distinctive white spot in front of eye. Credit: Scott Gillingwater

For more information about the Eastern Ribbonsnake in the Georgian Bay area, contact:

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
SAR Biologist
7 Bay Street
Parry Sound, Ontario
P2A 1S4
Phone: 705-746-4201