Snakes with black and yellow stripes are common. These patterns often serve as camouflage, helping them blend into shadows and light. Recognizing their distinct markings and behaviors fosters appreciation for these reptiles and promotes safe interactions.
Identifying Common Black and Yellow Striped Snakes
Garter snakes and ribbon snakes, both belonging to the genus Thamnophis, are common black and yellow striped snakes. Garter snakes are widespread across North and Central America, from central Canada to Costa Rica. They typically have a dark body (black, brown, or olive-green) with one to three longitudinal stripes, often yellow but sometimes white, blue, or red, running the length of their body.
Garter snakes generally range from 18 to 51 inches (46 to 130 cm) long. The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) often displays prominent yellow stripes. Ribbon snakes, closely related to garter snakes, are also found in North America with a similar striped pattern. They typically have a slender body, 18 to 35 inches (46 to 89 cm) long, with a dark background color and three distinct yellow or white stripes.
Distinguishing Features
Garter snakes and ribbon snakes share stripes, but several characteristics differentiate them. Garter snakes are stockier than the slender ribbon snake. Tail length also differs; a ribbon snake’s tail can account for about one-third of its total body length, whereas a garter snake’s tail is typically shorter, less than one-quarter of its length.
Head and facial markings also distinguish them. Ribbon snakes often possess a distinct white or light yellow crescent or spot in front of their eyes, a mark absent in garter snakes. The labial scales (lip scales) of ribbon snakes are unmarked and light, while garter snakes often have thin black lines or dark markings along the edges. Garter snakes have keeled scales, giving them a rougher texture. Their lateral stripes are found on the second and third rows of scales from the belly, while ribbon snakes’ lateral stripes are on the third and fourth rows.
Habitat and Diet
These striped snakes occupy varied habitats. Garter snakes are adaptable, inhabiting meadows, forests, gardens, and urban areas, often preferring locations near water sources like ponds, streams, or marshes. They establish dens under rocks, logs, or other debris. Their diet is broad, consisting of earthworms, slugs, snails, amphibians (frogs, toads), small fish, and insects. Larger garter snakes may also consume small rodents and birds.
Ribbon snakes, in contrast, are more semi-aquatic and seldom found far from water. They prefer wetlands, shorelines of ponds, streams, and wet woodlands, often basking on logs or rocks along the water’s edge. Their diet primarily consists of aquatic creatures including small fish, frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, and sometimes invertebrates. Both snake types are diurnal, particularly active in the morning and late afternoon.
Safe Encounters and Coexistence
Garter snakes and ribbon snakes are generally considered harmless to humans and pets. While garter snakes do produce a mild neurotoxic venom, they lack an effective delivery system to seriously injure people; their bite is often compared to a bee sting, causing minor irritation. Ribbon snakes are non-venomous. Both species may bite if provoked or handled, and they might release a foul-smelling musk from their anal glands as a defensive mechanism.
Observing these snakes from a distance is the best approach to ensure both your safety and their well-being. They play a beneficial role in ecosystems by controlling pest populations like slugs and insects. If a snake is in an undesirable location, it is advisable to allow it to move away on its own. Keeping yards tidy by removing debris and trimming overgrown bushes can discourage them from taking up residence in unwanted areas. If relocation is necessary, it is best to contact a professional to ensure the snake is moved safely and humanely.