''Thamnophis saurita septentrionalis'', the northern ribbon snake, is a

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

of garter snake. It is one of four

of the ribbon snake (''

Thamnophis saurita ''Thamnophis saurita'', also known as the eastern ribbon snake, common ribbon snake, or simply ribbon snake, is a common species of garter snake native to Eastern North America. It is a non-venomous species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of ...

'') and occurs in the United States and Canada in southern Maine, southern Ontario, Michigan,

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

, Nova Scotia, northern Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. It is listed as a state

endangered species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...

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, but it is mostly white on juveniles and adults. Adult ribbon snakes are 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 3 to 26 young, which are born in late summer. The young snakes are long and are colored the same as the adults. As most garter snakes, the mother gives birth to live young ( ovoviviparous).

References

External links

Archive of Thamnophis site with many pictures
saurita septentrionalis Snakes of North America Snake, Northern Ribbon Reptiles of the United States Reptiles of Canada Subspecies Taxa named by Douglas A. Rossman {{Colubrids-stub