Description:
Scientific name: Thamnophis sauritus
Life span: 11 years
The moniker “eastern ribbon snake” refers to its extremely thin body. It is a slim, black snake with two yellow stripes, one on either side of the mid-back. On the sides of the belly, a brown stripe with one or two rows of scales is visible. The remainder of the stomach exhibits a greenish-white hue. Between the back and side stripes, there are two rows of black spots on the animal. A third of the length of its body makes up its lengthy tail.
Native Region/Habitat
The common ribbon snake is typically found in marshes and close to the edges of ponds and streams in the southeastern United States. They are adaptable to both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, where they can be found. They flee to the water or the bushes when they are scared.
Behavior:
All seasons are active for T. s. Sauritus. The snake may be compelled to hibernate during the winter months, usually in ant mounds, mole tunnels, crayfish burrows, muskrat lodges, and bank burrows. When touched, ribbon snakes hardly ever attack, but when frightened, they do release an unpleasant scent from their anal glands.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Housing: A minimum of a 20-gallon tank should be provided for your eastern ribbon snake so he has plenty of room to walk around. Add three inches of peat moss, cage carpet, folded newspaper, potting soil, many paper towels, or big bark chips to the aquarium’s bottom to line it. Avoid using sand or tiny wood chips since the lizard can swallow them and get blockages in his intestines and stomach.
Temperature: The eastern ribbon snake’s cage should be kept at a temperature between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which is warmer than room temperature. Warming one side of his cage will provide a basking area for him, giving him some control over his urge to warm up or chill down. Place a heating pad, electric blanket, or reflector over or beneath one of his cage’s sides to create the basking area.
Diet: Ribbon snakes commonly eat fish in captivity, including guppies, minnows, and goldfish. They also enjoy eating tadpoles, earthworms, grasshoppers, and crickets. To make sure his nutritional needs are addressed, provide a variety of foods. You can give him a live frog, tadpole, or mouse as a treat sometimes. Put numerous live fish or other foods in his water basin to feed your ribbon snake.
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