Western Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis proximus
Summary 6
Thamnophis proximus, commonly known as the western ribbon snake, is a species of garter snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the western United States, Mexico, and Central America. The species has six recognized subspecies.
Description 7
NOT venomous. Head wider than the long slender neck, keeled scales, round pupils. Slender body is brown to black and has three lines running down the back, with the boldest yellow to orange stripe over the spine. Typically 20 to 30 inches (51 to 76cm) in length. (J. R. Dixon and J. E. Werler, Texas Snakes: A Field Guide, University of Texas Press, 2000.)
Behavior: 8
Foods consumed by ribbonsnakes are primarily amphibians, with tadpoles eaten when available and frogs and toads taken year round. Fish and lizards are also known as potential prey items. Active at dusk and dawn during the spring and fall seasons, T. proximus is can be entirely nocturnal in hot habitats during the summer months. Although it is listed as a non-venomous snake, the saliva of T. proximus has been reported to have toxic properties, though few human envenomations have been reported. It is not thought to be dangerous to humans, and will not bite unless provoked.
Habitat: 8
The range of the four subspecies of Thamnophis proximus is widespread over Texas. Ribbonsnakes are found in a wide variety of habitats including Chihuahuan desert, coastal marshes, south Texas thornscrub, and north Texas woodlands. The unifying factor of all these habitats is the nearby availability of water, whether in the form of ponds, streams, or swamps.
Texas Distribution: 8
The range of the four subspecies of Thamnophis proximus covers the majority of Texas, only being absent from portions of the western Trans-Pecos and Panhandle.
Conservation Status: 8
The ribbonsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Eric Osmundson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/smalleraperture/7264173856/
- (c) M.L. Watson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by M.L. Watson
- (c) Sara Viernum, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/64920564@N03/7178522503
- (c) Alan R Lusk, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Alan R Lusk
- (c) Danny Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Danny Martin
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thamnophis_proximus
- (c) Amber Leung, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/494756
- (c) Caleb Paul, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/776621
