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Common Ribbon Snake
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The ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) is a common species of garter snake endemic to eastern North America. It averages 16–35 inches (41–89 cm) in length and is a member of the genus Thamnophis. The snake can be renowned for their physical traits of having slim bodies, sleek scales and lateral body stripes. It can be described as having a dark brown coloration with bright yellow spots attributing down the backs of the reptiles. The Common Ribbon Snake is sexually monomorphic, however females are normally thicker than their male counterparts. The snake is non-venomous.

There are four different verified subspecies of the ribbon snake: the eastern ribbon snake, the northern ribbon snake, the southern ribbon snake (peninsula ribbon snake), and the bluestripe ribbon snake. The eastern ribbon snake can be distinguished from it's brownish back and yellow back stripes and is found in the United States east of the Mississippi. The northern ribbon snake has whitish scales and is found from the Midwestern United States up to Canada. The southern ribbon snake or peninsula ribbon snake is the most black of the ribbon snakes and inhabits the Southeastern United States. The bluestripe ribbon can be recognized by two blue stripes from where the snake gets its name. It is native to the Gulf Coast of the United States and Florida.

The ribbon snake can be found in wet climates such as creek-beds, streams, lakes, wet woodlands and marsh areas. They are predators to frogs, toads, tadpoles and small fish. Meanwhile fall prey to birds and larger amphibians and reptiles. Ribbon snakes are active from April to October and hibernate during the winter months. Maturity is reached around 3 years of age.