Order your copy today!

Northern Ribbon Snake
(Thamnophis sauritus)

Hold mouse over picture to view a distribution map.

Family: Colubridae

Size: 18-26 in.

Status: Endangered

Description: This gartersnake resembles other gartersnakes at first glance, although it is generally much more slender. Its underside is white, often grading into yellow near the tail and its lips are white. Northern ribbon snakes appear to be restricted to sphagnum bogs in south central and eastern Wisconsin and may be found basking in leatherleaf, blueberry, or snowberry brush. Only a hand full of northern ribbon snake occurrences have been documented in Wisconsin. Their diet consists of frogs, salamanders, fish and caterpillars.

More information about northern ribbon snakes is available on the detailed factsheet...