Western Ribbon Snake

About the Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus, commonly known as the western ribbon snake or western ribbonsnake, is a species of garter snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is found in the central and southern United States, Mexico, and Central America south to central Costa Rica. The species has six recognized subspecies.

T. proximus is a slender snake with a very long tail, approximately one-third of the total length of the body. Dorsally, T. proximus is blackish, brown, or olive with three light-colored stripes. Ventrally, it is greenish-white or yellowish-white. The upper labials are whitish and unmarked, contrasting with the dark top and sides of the head. The specific name, proximus, describes the species' similarity to T. saurita.

Adults measure 17–50 in (43–127 cm) in total length (including the tail). Six subspecies of the western ribbon snake (T. proximus) are recognized as being valid, including the nominate subspecies. T. p. alpinus Rossman, 1963 – Chiapas Highlands ribbon snake

T. p. diabolicus Rossman, 1963 – arid land ribbon snake T. p. orarius Rossman, 1963 – Gulf Coast ribbon snake T. p. proximus (Say, 1823) – orangestripe... Wikipedia →