What Are Garter and Ribbon Snakes?
Garter and Ribbon snakes are beneficial, non-poisonous snakes. Garter Snakes are welcomed into gardens because they eat small rodents, snails, slugs and harmful insects among other things. There are several different species that inhabit Louisiana. Most live near water and all have live young in litters ranging from 4 to 24 little snakes. These harmless snakes should be welcomed into every yard, garden and habitat.
Garter Snakes are the Gardener's Friend.
Types of Ribbon and Garter Snakes
Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus) is a medium-sized slender, reddish brown snake with a golden yellow stripe down it's back and a light yellow lateral stripe on the third and fourth dorsal scale rows. In the Florida parishes, where we live, it is often confused with its close relative the Western Ribbon Snake, which also lives here. However the Eastern Ribbon Snake is confined to the Florida Parishes north of the marshes bordering Lake Pontchartrain.
It eats fish and adult and larval amphibians. It has live young in broods from 3 to 26.
Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus) is a moderately long, slender, olive brown to black snake with a gold or orange stripe down its back. It is found all over Louisiana and is the most commonly encountered snake here. It lives near ponds, streams, ditches, swamps, rice fields and other wet areas. It eats fish and adult and larval amphibians.
Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus orarius) is a sub-species of the Western Ribbon Snake characterized by an olive brown dorsum and a broad gold vertebral stripe. It lives adjacent to marshes.
Eastern Garter Snake, Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis is a moderately long, brown, gray or nearly black snake with a yellowish or red-orange vertebral stripe and a light yellow lateral stripe on the second and third dorsal scale rows. It looks similar to the Western Ribbon Snake, but can be distinguished by the position of the lateral stripe. Only the Eastern Garter Snake (T. s. sirtalis) has been reported in Louisiana. Some individuals have a red-orange vertebral stripe which suggests genetic influence from the Texas Garter Snake.
It lives in forests, along the banks of small streams and in other habitat near water. Its diet consists of primarily earthworms and amphibians, but also small mammals, fish, leeches, other snakes, crawfish, snails and slugs, birds, sowbugs and insects. Which is why it is welcomed by gardeners for its free pest service. The live young are born in broods from 9 to 38 little snakes.
References: Kingsnake.com and Dundee, Harold A. and Douglas A. Rossman, The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana.
Crayfish, Ribbon, and Garter snakes
B. Glossy Crayfish Snake, Regina rigida
C. Eastern Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis sauritus
D. Western Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis proximus proximus
E. Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis proximus orarius
F. Common Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis

Photo Reference: Dundee, Harold A. and Douglas A. Rossman, The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana.
Snakes of the Southeast
An excellent guide book filled with sharp photographs. A must for any snake lover.
Garter Snakes on Wiki
A garter snake is any species of North American snake within the genus Thamnophis. Because of the similarity in the sound of the words, combined with where people often see them, they are sometimes called garden snakes, gardner snakes or gardener snakes, or even garder snakes or guarder snakes. They are harmless to humans.
Garter snakes are common across North America, from Canada to Central America, and they are the single most widely distributed genus of reptile in North America. In fact, the common garter snake, T. sirtalis, is the only species of snake to be found in Alaska, and is one of the northernmost species of snake in the world, possibly second only to the Crossed Viper, Vipera berus. The genus is so far ranging due to its unparticular diet and adaptability to different biomes and landforms, from marshes to hillsides to drainage ditches and even vacant lots, in both dry and wet regions, with varying proximity to water and rivers. However, in the western part of North America, these snakes are more water loving than in the eastern portion. Northern populations hibernate in larger groups than southern ones. Despite the decline in their population from collection as pets (especially in the more northerly regions in which large groups are collected at hibernation), pollution of aquatic areas, and introduction of bullfrogs and bass as predators, this is still a very commonly found snake. The San Francisco garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia, however, is an endangered subspecies and has been on the endangered list since 1967 and has a red and orange colored pattern on its back. Predation by crayfish has also been responsible for the decline of the narrow head garter snake, T. rufipunctatus.
There is no real consensus on the classificiation of species Thamnophis and disagreement among taxonomists and sources, such as field guides, over whether two types of snakes are separate species or subspecies of the same species is common. They are also closely related to the snakes of the genus Nerodia, and some species have been moved back and forth between genera.
Garter and Water Snakes
Gathering of Garter Snakes
More Reading About Garter and Ribbon Snakes
Garter and Ribbon Snake Care (Quick & Easy) by Philip Purser
Everything you need to know about garter and ribbo more...0 points
Garter Snakes (First Facts) by Wallach, Van
Quick and slithery, snakes are fascinating example more...0 points
Garter and Ribbon Snakes: Facts & Advice on Care and Breeding (Reptile Keeper's Guide) by Richard Bartlett, Patricia Bartlett
These closely related nonvenomous snakes are found more...0 points
The Snake Scientist (Scientists in the Field Series) by Sy Montgomery
Dr. Robert Mason, the current recipient of the Nat more...0 points
Garter Snakes (New Naturebooks) by Mary Ann McDonald
Describes the physical characteristics, habitat, a more...0 points
Garter Snake YouTube vid
Garter and Ribbon Snakes Blog Posts
- Garter snake – news
- The nose knows ?10 hours ago?. During the summer, a team spent field time canvassing the population and habitat of the ribbon snake, a close relative of the garter snake that lives only ?
- Photo of the Day: Eastern Ribbon Snake/CORRECTION: Eastern Garter ...
- The Eastern Ribbon Snake is in the Garter Snake family and look very much alike. However, the Eastern Ribbon is much more slender than the Garter Snake, but you can't tell that unless you see them both together. ...
- The Ellis Family Cincinnati: Not So Sneaky Snake
- The ribbon snake, T. sauritus, is a very slender garter snake that prefers wet places. Garter snakes are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Reptilia, order Squamata, family Colubridae. ...
- What Type Of Pet Snake Best Suits My Preferences? | LIMED – World ...
- The snake you are probably looking for is a type of COLUBRID. Corn snakes. Garter/Ribbon Snake Rough Grass Snake Rat Snakes Black Racer (not Blue) They will probably fit through a bird cage but they are easy to keep in a cage. Wisterni ...
Herping With Dylan: Eastern Garter Snake
More Snakes of Louisiana Lenses
-
Snakes of Louisiana
-
Snakes are probably one of the most controversial animals. You either love them or hate them. Snakes are a very important link in the food chain and without them our earth would be overrun with vermin and harmful insects. Here in Louisiana there are...
-
Kingsnakes of Louisiana
-
Since we were children we have welcomed the gentle, non-poisonous Kingsnakes into our yard. Kingsnakes are constrictors that live in many types of habitat, but seem to prefer ridges and levees that border wet areas. They will kill and eat poisonous...
-
Diamond-back Water Snake
-
The Diamond-back (or backed) Water Snake is a long, heavy-bodied, tan to gray-brown snake with a pattern of dark brown to black chain-like markings. The belly is yellow, but with dusky brown markings. As the name implies it lives in slow moving water...
-
Black Racer Snake
-
Black Racers are very fast black snakes with a bluish cast to their scales. Other names for this handsome, non-venomous snake are Blue Racer, Blue Runner and Black Runner. The Southern Black Racer occurs in habitats all over Louisiana and through mo...
-
Cottonmouth Moccasin Snake
-
The Cottonmouth (which used to be called Cottonmouth Moccasin or Water Moccasin) is a venomous semi-aquatic snake. It is one of the five species of pit viper that inhabits Louisiana. It is also the only semi-aquatic viper in the world. The name, Cott...
-
Ring-necked Snake of Louisiana
-
The Ring-necked Snake is a small, harmless snake that lives in forested areas all over the Southeastern United States. It spends most of the daylight hours hiding under logs, but is active at night during the warm months of the year. Ring-necked Sna...
-
Yellow-bellied Water Snakes
-
Plain-bellied Water snakes are found in every southeastern state in the U.S. They are stout snakes with dark brown, gray or greenish gray backs and bellies that range in color from yellow to red. In Louisiana, the Yellow-bellied and blotched water s...
-
Rat Snakes in Louisiana
-
Rat Snakes are attractively marked, non-poisonous constrictors which primarily eat rats and mice and some birds and eggs. They are known for their climbing ability and their great length which can be up to 101 inches. In the south they are called Ch...
-
Hognose Snake in Louisiana
-
The Eastern Hognose Snake is a most unusual reptile with some very unique defense mechanisms, including puffing up like a cobra and playing dead. Although it is considered non-poisonous, in that it does not have fangs, it's saliva sometimes causes a...
-
Broad-banded Watersnake of Louisiana
-
The Broad-banded is the only species of Banded Water snake that lives in Louisiana. They are found in bodies of water all over Louisiana and the Southeastern United States. Unfortunately, these stout non-poisonous water snakes with colorful bellies,...
-
Rough Green Snake
-
The Rough Green Snake is the only type of Green Snake that inhabits Louisiana. It is a slim, medium sized, non-poisonous snake, which is bright green in color. Rough Green snakes are egg layers and are excellent climbers.
Squiggle Out a Line.
ss834 wrote...
We found a snake in the backyard and I came here to ID it. Sure enough, it looks like a garter snake. Very helpful lens!
praise wrote...
Another great lens. I had a garter living under my porch for about 8 years, I no longer see him, but have lots of pics of him. I called him Speedy. Please visit my lens here and sign my guestbook.
Thanks,
Debra
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
I'm not real fond of snakes but they have thier place in the natural order of things.
Great lens
Lizzy
rio1 wrote...
Great lens. Snakes are the most maligned animals on earth. When encountering a snake, one should walk around them or nudge them to allow them to go on their way. Live and let live, for snakes have just as much a right to live as we do. Thanks again for an very educational lens, which I hope more people will read.
Garter Snake Links Voting (Plexo)
Add your own to the list
Garter Snakes
Garter snakes (genus Thamnophis) are one of the mo more...0 points
Common Garter Snake
Includes photographs and information about the siz more...0 points
gartersnake.info - all about garter snakes
11.22.06, You Can%u2019t Tease-Feed a Garter Snake more...0 points
HerpNet.net - Iowa Reptiles and Amphibians - Eastern Garter Snake ...
Reptiles and Amphibians of Iowa and Minnesota with more...0 points
ADW: Thamnophis sirtalis: Information
Common garter snakes are native to the Nearctic re more...0 points
Wildlife - Garter Snakes
Garter snakes, also known as garden or grass snake more...0 points
DNR - Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis). Descri more...0 points
Eastern Garter Snake
The belly of garter snakes is white or light yello more...0 points
eNature: FieldGuides: Species Detail
Endangered Status The San Francisco Garter Snake, more...0 points
Garter Snakes
This series explores and supports the standard &q more...0 points
More links to Garter and Ribbon Snakes
- Feedmysearch needs your opinion, help and advice
- Dear feedmysearch user, Feedmysearch would require some serious server upgrade and a bit of developm...
by naturegirl7

We are Master Gardeners and... (more)






















Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by







