Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis

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Northern Ribbon Snake
T. s. septentrionalis in Medford, Massachusetts.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Colubridae Genus: Thamnophis Species: T. sauritus Subspecies: T. s. septentrionalis
Trinomial name
Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis Rossman, 1963

The Northern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis) is a species of garter snake. It is one of four subspecies of the eastern ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) and occurs in the United States and Canada in southern Maine, southern Ontario, Michigan, New York, Nova Scotia, and northern Ohio and Indiana. It is listed as a state endangered species in Wisconsin. It is a slender black or brown snake with three bright yellow or white stripes on its back. The head is black, with the scales alongside the mouth being white. The underside is also white or light yellow. Adult ribbon snakes are 18 to 38 inches in length.

Ribbon Snakes inhabit marshes or live near the edges of lakes, ponds, and streams. They swim well and their diet includes frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, small fish, and insects.

Northern ribbon snake have from 3 to 26 young which are born in late summer. The young snakes are 7 to 9 inches long and are colored the same as the adults.