This species is found in more brush-heavy habitats, close to water sources. They can also be found basking on rocks or flat vegetation, or in sandy, drier areas that are also close to water. Due to it's slender body, it is believed that this and other garter snake species evolved to adapt to more forest-heavy habitats. (Hampton, 2008; Penn State New Kingston, 2002; Rossman, 1962; Rossman, et al., 1996)
This species can be found in a wide range of habitats, usually around brush-heavy areas with bodies of water like streams, ponds, lakes, etc. It is a semi-aquatic species, and generally does not live far away from a water source (Sunyer et al., 2013). They will dive into water if disturbed, or hide themselves in thick brush or within crevices. Their body coloration helps them hide in these areas. They prefer warmer temperatures, but can be active between 4 and 42 degrees Celsius, with 22-26 their preference. (Rossman, et al., 1996; Sunyer, et al., 2013)
The Eastern Ribbon Snake, which has a very similar look and coloration. A few distinguishing characteristics include the reduction or absence of a broad, brown ventro-lateral stripe found on the Eastern species. The large paired parietal spots, longer muzzle and tail on the are also a distinguishing features. They have pale undersides, usually a light yellow or green, while their backs will typically be dark brown or black with lighter side stripes. The have a maximum recorded SVL (snout to vent length) of 1250 mm (around 50 inches). Most remain around 3 feet. Their tail is roughly 30% of their body length.is often confused with the
Juveniles tend to be smaller than adults in body, but with proportionally larger heads. T
Like other garter snakes, this species of snake is non-venomous, and not lethal to humans. (Rossman, 1962; Rossman, et al., 1996; Sunyer, et al., 2013; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2013)
Eaten by various predatory birds and mammals - Weasels, ferrets, large fish, predatory birds (hawks, eagles) and raptors,and other large snakes like rattlesnakes or cottonmouth snakes. When captured by a human or a predator, this snake will thrash its body around to try and escape, usually emitting a foul smell or spraying feces to encourage the foe to release it. The (Hampton, 2011; Rossman, et al., 1996)can also shed its tail, which will continue to move in order to allow the snake to escape. The tail will not regenerate.
Thehas a diet that consists of mostly amphibians, which controls amphibious populations, but has the potential to decimate those populations in certain areas.
No known negative impacts on humans.
This species is listed as least concern and special status on the IUCN Red List, the US Federal List, Cites.org, and the State of Michigan list. It is listed as endangered by the Wisconsin DNR.
This species is very much affected by human development and disturbances in their habitat. Water drainage sites drain water sources for them. Roads and highways offer dangerous blockages for their populations. Climate change is also affecting both theand its prey - amphibians. Drier seasons lead to water shortages, and therefore limit snake habitats and amphibian hibernation sites.
Pesticides, road substrates and road chemicals have a negative affect on snake health, as well as affecting their pheromone emittance. (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2013)
There are 6 subspecies of T. p. alpinus (high-elevation), T. p. diabolicus (Colorado and southward through Pecos Valley), T. p. orarius (Coastal Louisiana to Northeastern Tamaulipas), T. p. rubrilineatus (Central Texas plateaus), and T. p. rutiloris (southern Tamaulipas to central Costa Rica). (Rossman, et al., 1996):
Margaret Waters (author), Minnesota State University Mankato, Robert Sorensen (editor), Minnesota State University, Mankato, Tanya Dewey (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
the body of water between Africa, Europe, the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), and the western hemisphere. It is the second largest ocean in the world after the Pacific Ocean.
living in the southern part of the New World. In other words, Central and South America.
body of water between the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), Australia, Asia, and the western hemisphere. This is the world's largest ocean, covering about 28% of the world's surface.
uses sound to communicate
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
a wetland area rich in accumulated plant material and with acidic soils surrounding a body of open water. Bogs have a flora dominated by sedges, heaths, and sphagnum.
areas with salty water, usually in coastal marshes and estuaries.
an animal that mainly eats meat
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
the nearshore aquatic habitats near a coast, or shoreline.
having a worldwide distribution. Found on all continents (except maybe Antarctica) and in all biogeographic provinces; or in all the major oceans (Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific.
having markings, coloration, shapes, or other features that cause an animal to be camouflaged in its natural environment; being difficult to see or otherwise detect.
animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature
an area where a freshwater river meets the ocean and tidal influences result in fluctuations in salinity.
parental care is carried out by females
forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.
mainly lives in water that is not salty.
having a body temperature that fluctuates with that of the immediate environment; having no mechanism or a poorly developed mechanism for regulating internal body temperature.
the state that some animals enter during winter in which normal physiological processes are significantly reduced, thus lowering the animal's energy requirements. The act or condition of passing winter in a torpid or resting state, typically involving the abandonment of homoiothermy in mammals.
offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).
marshes are wetland areas often dominated by grasses and reeds.
eats mollusks, members of Phylum Mollusca
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
specialized for swimming
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
reproduction in which eggs develop within the maternal body without additional nourishment from the parent and hatch within the parent or immediately after laying.
an animal that mainly eats fish
the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females.
rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.
communicates by producing scents from special gland(s) and placing them on a surface whether others can smell or taste them
breeding is confined to a particular season
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
a wetland area that may be permanently or intermittently covered in water, often dominated by woody vegetation.
uses touch to communicate
that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).
Living on the ground.
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.
movements of a hard surface that are produced by animals as signals to others
uses sight to communicate
reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.
2011. "Western ribbon snake fact file" (On-line). Widescreen Archive. Accessed February 14, 2017 at http://www.arkive.org/western-ribbon-snake/thamnophis-proximus/.
Clark Jr., C. 1974. The Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus): Ecology of a Texas Population. Herpetologica, 30 No. 4: 372-379.
Dewey, T. 2005. "Thamnophis sauritus - Eastern Ribbonsnake" (On-line). Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 05, 2017 at http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Thamnophis_sauritus/.
Ford, N. 1981. Seasonality of Pheromone Trailing Behavior in Two Species of Garter Snake, Thamnophis (Colubridae). The Southwestern Naturalist, 26/4: 385-388.
Hampton, P. 2011. Feeding performance in the Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus): ontogeny and the effects of prey type and size. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 89: 945.
Hampton, P. 2008. Prey Items of the Western Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis proximus. The Southwestern Naturalist, 53: 115-118.
Lancaster, D., N. Ford. 2003. Reproduction in western ribbon snakes, Thamnophis proximus (Serpentes: Colubridae), from an east Texas bottomland. The Texas Journal of Science, 55: 25.
Penn State New Kingston, 2002. "The Virtual Nature Trail at Penn State New Kingston" (On-line). The Virtual Nature Trail at Penn State New Kingston. Accessed April 19, 2017 at http://www.psu.edu/dept/nkbiology/naturetrail/speciespages/ribbonsnake.htm.
Rossman, D., N. Ford, R. Seigel. 1996. The Garter Snakes: Evolution and Ecology. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.: University of Oklahoma Press.
Rossman, D. 1962. Thamnophis proximus (Say), a Valid Species of Garter Snake. Copeia, 1962 No. 4: 741-748.
Sunyer, J., G. Chaves, W. Lamar, L. Porras, A. Solórzano, G. Hammerson. 2013. "Thamnophis proximus" (On-line). The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Accessed February 14, 2017 at http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-.
Wendelken, P. 1978. On Prey-Specific Hunting Behavior in the Western Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis Proximus (Reptilia, Serpentes, Colubridae). Journal of Herpetology, 12/4: 577-578. Accessed April 05, 2017 at www.jstor.org/stable/1563367..
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2013. "Western Ribbonsnake Species Guidance" (On-line). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed April 19, 2017 at http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/er/ER0712.pdf.