Reptile du Jour: Ribbon Snake

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Saturday, April 24. 2021

Reptile du Jour: Ribbon Snake

Ribbon Snakes are long (up to 30 inches), skinny members of the Garter Snake family, found across the Eastern half of the US.

We saw one slithering along a pond edge in New England two weeks ago. They like to hunt near water and marshes for bugs, tadpoles, etc., but I've seen them sunning on woodpiles a ways from ponds.

Seen one?

Posted by Bird Dog in Natural History and Conservation at 16:14 | Comments (14) | Trackbacks (0)

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Ribbon Snake. Pretty sure I saw one in Texas, unless it was a garden hose that slithered away into the weeds.

#1 Ted on 2021-04-24 16:18 (Reply)

Used to have them at our old house in the woods outside of STL. We live further out in the woods now but haven't seen one out here in almost 2 years. Black snakes at both places and they make themselves at home right up to the house. Numerous times I have come out of the house and found them in the bushes or on the ledge around the house, but so far no ribbon snakes out here yet.

#2 JC on 2021-04-24 17:37 (Reply)

We have them, multi-color iridescent stripes, move pretty fast too. Seen little brown snakes and one ribbon snake so far this spring. Nothing venemous yet...

#3 Aggie on 2021-04-24 17:43 (Reply)

I've seen one a few times down in the Fl panhandle, nothing recently.

#4 Mark on 2021-04-24 18:01 (Reply)

You want snakes? Come to Florida. We got 'em all. We have ~6 foot Black Racer (harmless) that lives in our backyard or front porch as it sees fit. You get used to them.

#5 Stargazer on 2021-04-24 18:15 (Reply)

You do get used to seeing them but they do startle you. We have a brick ledge that goes around the house and they get up there almost at eye level, both of us get startled. They also get on the second floor porch and I find them under the wicker set when I sit down. That's a black snake.

#5.1 JC on 2021-04-24 18:33 (Reply)

We have coach whips in Texas, really skinny, long, brown snakes (non-venomous) and those things really move too. But wait till you see one climb a tree. Holy smokes they're fast, they go straight up the trunk and they jump from tree to tree as well - just as fast as on the ground.

#5.2 Aggie on 2021-04-24 18:48 (Reply)

I work at an office south of Mobile AL. Building fronts a swamp within a few steps. Snakes we got. We see ribbon snakes frequently on or around our front deck or steps. We always enjoy seeing them. This week I walked to end of ramp to look at flower bed progress. A youngster ribbon snake crawled up between my feet. After a while he seemed want to crawl into my left shoe, I picked up my foot for a moment and then put it down. Snake looked up at me like "Oh you're alive". He didn't panic. I ended up watching him for 5-10 minutes. Last year my office manager and I had to usher an adult out of our lobby. Thanks for the post.

#6 Randall on 2021-04-24 19:27 (Reply)

I catch them and put them in the vegetable garden.

#7 DougW on 2021-04-24 19:53 (Reply)

After Katrina DW and DD needed a break so we took a nature walk in a local park. DW saw a large Ribbon snake, reached down and snatched him and stuffed him into her backpack. This was much to the chagrin of my 3 year old daughter, although I suspect she thought Mom was Way Cool.
We let him go in the back yard to chase the mice that were taking over.

#7.1 Hayden Goseek on 2021-04-24 22:32 (Reply)

I've seen plenty of garter snakes in NH, but I don't think I've seen this one. My state wildlife site tells me they aren't common here, and have never been reported in my town, though they have been in adjoining towns.

#8 Assistant Village Idiot on 2021-04-24 20:11 (Reply)

Picked up a set of PVC garage shelves at the local Lowe's last week. When I was putting it together, an odd-looking garter type snake crawled out of it. Looks like it may have been a ribbon snake.

I don't know where he crawled into the shelving but I doubt it was anywhere near New Hampshire. Hopefully, he has made himself at home in my back yard.

#9 Galway Boy on 2021-04-25 06:55 (Reply)

Ever since I started wearing socks with elastic, I've released all my garter snakes. (Sorry, I just COULDN'T resist. I'm outa here.)

#10 Sam L. on 2021-04-25 09:31 (Reply)

Our dogs and cats are hard on the snakes, but we do see ribbons from time to time. I like them.

#11 Texan99 on 2021-04-25 10:13 (Reply)

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Saturday, April 24. 2021

Reptile du Jour: Ribbon Snake