The strand snake occasionally referred to as ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus) is a species of snake broadly dispersed in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. These snakes have been regarded as a part of the garter snake type attached to this genus Thamnophis.
The ribbon snake is really a semi-aquatic snake species also is quite often found in the borders of lakes, rivers, ponds, or streams. They occupy moist areas such as marshes, bogs, wet meadows or prairies that are flooded.
Lots of ribbon snakes resemble their own near relatives, the more genuine garter snakes such as the eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis). But they also have differences in the positioning of these stripes, also may be distinguished since they are slim, have a tail, scales.
Their length varies among subspecies, although the southern northern ribbon snake could hit between 16 and 26 inches long that the eastern ribbon snake could be anywhere from 18 to 35 inches.
They utilize their routine and coloration for camouflage to avoid predators and find prey. So the greater your mixes with the environment are the likelihood of success of specimens.
That is the reason why ribbon snake coloration changes between subspecies and geographically, as a result of extreme predator choice-generating a broad selection of color designs. The ribbon snake colors vary from tan, and overall red-brown, or black.
They have 3 identifying stripes running through the full length of the bodies, with a single based in the trunk and other both on both sides of this body. The stripes also change in color and might be yellow, green, brownish, or perhaps light blue from the bluestripe decoration snake.
The bottom Is Often coated in a lighter shade Which Range from whitish-yellow, yellow, green however sometimes, it Might Be a dark brownish or perhaps black. The ribbon spider has keeled scales and one anal plate
Adult decoration snakes fall prey to a number of creatures such as weasels and other parasitic creatures, big fish, raptors, and wading birds whereas younger bees can also be eaten by smaller turtles, fish as well as crayfish.
They’re also consumed by other snakes such as venomous cottonmouths or even rattlesnakes along with non-venomous species like the eastern hognose snake, racer fish and snakes bees such as the southern milksnake.
The ribbon snake is generally active daily but at the warmer months and especially from the southern portions of their range they might become nocturnal. normally in October to April, Whilst at the northern sections of the range they’ll hibernate during the winter.
Ribbon Snake Subspecies
There are 4 known subspecies of ribbon snake.
Eastern ribbon snake (T. sauritus sauritus) – Its scope extends from southern Maine and Ontario, Canada and through New York south to Florida and west into the Mississippi River. They’re absent from a lot of the Appalachian Mountains. This subspecies referred to as the ribbon snake and rear is brown in color.
Northern ribbon snake (T. sauritus septentrionalis) – They Are Located in northern New England throughout New York westward through Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ontario in Canada. An isolated population is located in Canada, Nova Scotia. They have a dark brown or blackish coloration in the rear.
Southern ribbon snake (T. sauritus sackeni) – Located in South Carolina south through Florida. This subspecies is referred to as the Peninsula decoration snake. It’s generally although their stripe is less different than the other subspecies, has a tan or brownish backsplash.
Bluestripe ribbon snake (T. sauritus nitae) – Located on the Gulf Coast of the northwest and west-central Florida in which they’re just one of several snake species found in Florida. These snakes have a back color with mild stripes that are lateral so their name.
Ribbon Snake Diet
Such as other garter snakes will eat just”cold-blooded” creatures, and they search both on water and land. When searching the ribbon snake will pursue it, if needed and stalks its prey.
Ribbon snakes possess rather a varied diet such as frogs and tadpoles, worms, slugs, fish, newts and salamanders, spiders, caterpillars, and lots of other pests.
They occasionally even feed on carrion, for example, road-killed toads. Quite a snake females can eat their own offspring.
Ribbon Snake Reproduction
The breeding in ribbon snakes generally happens when they emerge from hibernation in the spring, from April to May. But it will occur in the autumn until the spring together with the infant’s growth as well as the reevaluate fertilization.
Like many garter snakes, ribbon snakes are ovoviviparous giving birth to live young. Females give birth to the hatchlings in the autumn or summer.
The clutch size varies out of 3 to 5 toddlers, and they get no parental attention and will need to fend off for themselves instantly. The younglings are approximately 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 cm) long and their coloration is like that of the parents. The ribbon snakes attain maturity after 3 or 2 decades.
Ribbon Snake Conservation
The ribbon snakes have been recorded as Least Concern due to its broad distribution and presumed big population.
