Kenneth L. Krysko (left), Rick Owen (right) photos.

Scientific name: Thamnophis sauritus sackenii

Description: Average adult size is 20-28 inches (50.8-71.1 cm), record is 40 inches (101.6 cm). Adults are slender-bodied, olive-brown with a light tannish-brown mid-dorsal stripe. There is an additional light whitish-green stripe on each side of the body occupying the 3rd and 4th dorsal scale rows above the belly. There are light whitish fleckings on each side between the mid-dorsal and lateral stripes. There is a distinct white spot in front of the eye. The belly is uniform yellowish-green. The tail is very long, one-third of the total body length. The scales are keeled, and there are 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Juveniles are similar to that of adults.

Jamie Barichivich photo.

Adult peninsula ribbon snake.

Peninsula ribbon snake: Left: Top of the head (notice the large plate-like scales on the top of the head). Right: Underside of the head (chin and throat).

Peninsula ribbon snake: Left: Side of the head. Right: Front (face view) of the head.

Range: In Florida, it occurs from the eastern panhandle, throughout the peninsula (excluding along the Gulf coast from eastern Wakulla Co. south to Hernando Co.), and into the upper keys. There is an apparent disjunct population on the lower keys, which is protected due to habitat loss. Outside of Florida, it is found north to southern South Carolina.

Habitat: Commonly found in pinelands, hardwood hammocks, cypress strands, prairies, marshes, streams, ponds, bogs, and stands of melaleuca.

Comments: . The peninsula ribbon snake is semiaquatic and active during the day. It is frequently found along the banks of canals and ditches, and around houses in residential areas. After heavy rains, it is sometimes found at night crossing roads in search of food.

It feeds on small fishes, frogs, salamanders, and earthworms.

It is live-bearing. Breeding occurs from April-June, up to 20 newborns are deposited from July-September.

Comparison with other species: The bluestripe ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus nitae) has light blue stripes on its sides occupying the 2nd and 3rd dorsal scale rows above the belly. The garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) are thicker-bodied, have their lateral stripes occupying the 2nd and 3rd dorsal scale rows above the belly, and black-outlined scales on the upper lip.

Top of this Page — Guide to the Snakes of Florida
Checklist of Florida Amphibians and Reptiles — Florida Herpetology