Eastern Ribbonsnake
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Scientific Name:
Thamnophis saurita Aquatic and Terrestrial
Native
Snakes
Nonvenomous
Description
An medium snake - 16 to 35 inches long. A slender brown snake with a dull white to pale tan stripe down the back and pale stripe on each side covering the 3rd and 4th scale rows above the ventral plates. Underside is whitish. Scales are keeled (ridged) and in 19 rows. The white parietal spot tends to be small and divided. There is a brown or coppery wash on the outer edges of the ventral plates.
Range and Habitat
Found in the Florida Parishes from the upper Amite River area eastward. Inhabit open pine woods and mixed pine-hardwood forest, especially in the vicinity of stream bottoms and boggy ground.
Behavior
An active-diurnal snake feeding on small frogs, tadpoles and occassionally small fish. Give birth to 3 to 26 young.
Population Status
Ranked as S4 (apparently secure) in Louisiana.