Northern ribbonsnake © Joe Crowley
Characteristics
The northern ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis) is one of four subspecies of the eastern ribbonsnake (T. sauritus), and is the only subspecies found in Ontario. The northern ribbonsnake is black with three yellow stripes: one down the back and one on each side, on the third and fourth scale rows. It has a distinct white crescent in front of the eye, a white chin and a whitish yellow belly. This species is long and narrow, and the tail makes up approximately one-third of its total length. Northern ribbonsnakes typically grow 50 to 85 centimetres in length.
Northern ribbonsnake © Joe Crowley
Similar Species
The northern ribbonsnake is very similar to the eastern gartersnake, Butler’s gartersnake and red-sided gartersnake. Those three species lack the white crescent in front of the eye, their chin is more yellow than white, and the transition between the light-coloured chin and the dark head is less distinct than in the northern ribbonsnake. Compared with those species, the northern ribbonsnake is more slender and has a longer tail. The lateral (side) stripes on the eastern gartersnake are confined to the second and third scale rows, and the lateral stripes on the Butler’s gartersnake are on the third and part of the second and fourth scale rows. The red-sided gartersnake is found only in northwestern Ontario. The northern ribbonsnake may be mistaken for a queensnake, which also has two yellowish lateral stripes, but the queensnake has several faint dark stripes rather than a yellow stripe down the back.
Northern ribbonsnake © Joe Crowley
Habitat
The northern ribbonsnake is semi-aquatic and is almost always found close to water, such as wetlands and the shorelines of lakes and rivers. The wetland and shoreline habitats that ribbonsnakes inhabit are generally near forests, and this species tends to be absent from regions with little to no forest cover. The species may rely on forested areas to provide upland habitats that it uses for overwintering and birthing sites.
View an interactive map of the known ranges of northern ribbonsnakes in Ontario.
Biology
Northern ribbonsnakes breed in the spring after emerging from hibernation. As in all members of the genus Thamnophis, females do not lay eggs but give birth to live young. Females produce five to 21 young, and young reach maturity in two to three years.
Northern ribbonsnakes spend much of their time in or near water, where they feed primarily on amphibians, especially frogs. Ribbonsnakes bask along shorelines in the vegetation, on logs or, occasionally, in low shrubs. When startled, these snakes often move into the water, where they can elude most predators. Ribbonsnakes hibernate underground in animal burrows or rock outcroppings.
Other names: eastern ribbon snake, eastern ribbonsnake
Northern ribbonsnake © Dax
Threats and Trends
The loss of most wetland habitat in southern Ontario is the primary reason for the decline of this species, and ongoing habitat loss continues to threaten it. Northern ribbonsnakes no longer occur throughout much of southern Ontario where wetlands and forests have been converted to agricultural uses. Pollution has been shown to have severe negative effects on amphibian populations, and the loss of local amphibian populations may cause the decline or disappearance of ribbonsnakes. Road mortality and illegal collection are other threats to this species.
Northern ribbonsnake © Joe Crowley
Current Status and Protection
The eastern ribbonsnake, of which the northern ribbonsnake is a subspecies, is currently listed as Special Concern under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007 and the federal Species at Risk Act. The species does not have protection under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has not yet assessed the global status of the northern ribbonsnake, but lists the global status of the eastern ribbonsnake as Least Concern. The eastern ribbonsnake’s status was last confirmed in March 2007.
Learn more about reptile and amphibian conservation and what you can do to help these species on our Reptile and Amphibian Stewardship page.
Northern ribbonsnake © Joe Crowley
What You Can Do
- Report a sighting
- Get involved in reptile and amphibian conservation on your property, on the road and in your community
- Donate to support reptile and amphibian conservation
- Watch for reptiles and amphibians on the road
- Don’t release pet reptiles and amphibians into the wild
- Read more about the northern ribbonsnake in the Ontario Reptile and Amphibians Atlas publication.
Northern ribbonsnake © Scott Gillingwater