The ribbon snake (Thamnophis saurita) is a common species of garter snake native to Eastern North America. It is a non-venomous species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The ribbon snake averages in total length (including tail). It is dark brown with bright yellow stripes. The ribbon snake is not sexually dimorphic; however, females are normally thicker than their male counterparts. The ribbon snake can be found in wet climates such as lakes, streams, ponds and marshes. The ribbon snake is active from April to October and hibernates during the winter months. Maturity is reached around 3 years of age. Subspecies The following four subspecies of ribbon snake are recognized as being valid: Eastern ribbon snake – T. s. saurita – brown body with three distinctive stripes, typically yellow, one down the middle of the back and one down each side, that alternate with the brown body. Ranges from New York to Florida, west to the Mississippi River. Northern ribbon snake – T. s. septentrionalis – dark brown/black with yellow line down its back and often its sides; ranges from Maine through Ontario and Indiana. Southern ribbon snake or peninsula ribbon snake – T. s. sackenii – tan or brown; ranges from South Carolina south through Florida. Bluestripe ribbon snake – T. s. nitae – dark with light blue lateral stripes; Gulf Coast of north-central Florida. Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Thamnophis. Habitat Ribbon snakes are typically found in aquatic and high-vegetation. Since they hunt for ectothermic animals, they tend to live in areas that are mainly water, making it easier for them to swim and catch their prey. Although most of them live in aquatic areas, they also tend to reside in forests or higher rocky areas. Prey and predators In order to hunt, ribbon snakes use a few of their senses including auditory and visual perception. Ribbon snakes do not eat warm-blooded prey, just as garter snakes, also of the genus Thamnophis, do not. Using their auditory and visual traits, they are able to prey upon newts, salamanders, frogs, toads, tadpoles, small fish, spiders, and earthworms. Meanwhile, they fall prey to mammals, birds, and larger amphibians and reptiles. Ribbon snakes rarely use any aggressive form of defense. Instead, they use their brown bodies to camouflage with the surrounding vegetation. Along