Western Ribbon Snake Thamnophis proximus

Identification
This species has three bright stripes on a dark background and a long slender tail. It resembles the Common Ribbon Snake but differs in scale counts.

Location
Rare in Ohio

Size
20 to 30 inches

Diet
It feeds on amphibians and small fish.

Habitat
It occurs in wetlands and stream edges in southwest Ohio.

Activity Period
April to October

Behavior
It is agile and semi aquatic and often hunts along water margins. It is most active in warm months.

Lifecycle
Breeding occurs in spring and females give birth to live young in late summer.

Population
The population is small and localized.

History
It has always been rare in Ohio.

Human Interactions
It is harmless and flees quickly.

Facts
It is one of the least common garter snake relatives in Ohio.

Sources
ODNR academic sources

Amphibians small fish insects | Wetlands streams marsh edges | Southwest Ohio