Western Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis proximus
Summary 5
Thamnophis proximus, the western ribbon snake, is a species of garter snake, with several subspecies.
Description 6
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.)
Coloration: 7
Sharply defined longitudinal stripes: a vertebral stripe and two lateral, light colored stripes placed on the third and fourth scale rows.
Absence of checkerboard blotches seen in many other species of Thamnophis.
Absence of pigmentation outlining white supralabials.
Body shape is particularly slender when compared to other species of Thamnophis.
Elongated tail is much longer than other congeners.
There are four recognized subspecies of T. proximus found in Texas, all of whose definitions differ in the coloration of their stripes as well as their background color. Adding to the confusion, these four subspecies all readily interbreed, and consequently distinct boundaries for the ranges of the subspecies are impossible to define with intergradation seen between all four taxa.
Behavior: 7
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: 7
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.
General Distribution: 7
Thamnophis proximus is seen throughout many of the south central United States, and ranges well through Mexico, along the Atlantic versant, reaching as far south as Costa Rica.
Texas Distribution: 7
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: 7
The ribbonsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.
Sources and Credits
- (c) A. Jaszlics, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/medusasnail/6132056060/
- (c) Chris Gruenwald Herp.mx, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chris Gruenwald Herp.mx
- (c) Cameron Eckert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Cameron Eckert
- (c) Tonny Rios, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Tonny Rios
- Adapted by Desmon M Dunn from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://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
