The southern ribbon snake (Thamnophis saurita sackenii), also known commonly as the peninsula ribbon snake and the Florida ribbon snake, is a subspecies of garter snake in the family Colubridae. It is one of four subspecies of the ribbon snake (Thamnophis saurita).

Etymology

The subspecific name, sackenii, is in honor of Russian entomologist Carl Robert Romanovich von der Osten-Sacken.

Geographic range

The southern ribbon snake occurs in the southeastern United States in extreme southern South Carolina, southeastern Georgia, and peninsular Florida, at elevations from sea level to 500 ft.

Description

T. saurita sackenii is smaller than the other three other subspecies of T. saurita. Adults of T. s. sackenii are 16 - 30 in in total length (including tail). The dorsal color is greenish olive, or blackish in old specimens. It has a dorsal stripe that is vetiver green or light olive-gray bordered on either side with black, and the lateral stripes are marguerite yellow.

Habitat and behavior

The southern ribbon snake is found in marshes, lakes, ponds, and shores of streams. It is semi-aquatic and semi-arboreal with wet meadows and thicket a favorite habitat.

Reproduction

T. s. sackenii is ovoviviparous. Litter size is small, numbering only 5-12 newborns.