14. Two Fox Snake species inhabit Michigan, each with different habitat preferences. The underside is also white or light yellow, but it is mostly white on juveniles and adults. Appearance. Description: Ribbon snakes are slender snakes that range from 16-28 in. Eastern Ribbon Snakes (Thamnophis sauritus) share those same physical features. Prefer sunny sites. In fact eleven different subspecies inhabit almost every state in the lower 48 states. It is listed as a state endangered species in Wisconsin. 15. They occupy moist areas such as marshes, bogs, wet meadows or prairies that are flooded. First and foremost, most large rat snakes are as afraid of people as people are afraid of them. The snake actually gets its name from a musk it may give off when cornered, similar to a fox. But we are lucky to have a few of our most impressive species, such as the Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii) and Eastern Fox Snake (Elaphe vulpina gloydi). Smooth Green Snake. The Michigan Herp Atlas also shows the northern ribbon snake as being recorded in four counties, including Marquette, and the northern brown snake in two counties in the far eastern U.P. It is listed as a state endangered species in Wisconsin. Most of the other snakes found here are rather small, so it is often tricky to … Eastern Fox Snakes are fairly large snakes that can grow up to five feet in length. In areas where their tails come up against brush, it could sound like a rattlesnake. Northern Ribbon Snake. 1259 Morse Road Columbus, OH 43229 p: 614-267-8025. Blue Racers, for example are common around the Great Lakes region, including Michigan. Northern Water Snake. Reptiles of Michigan View Plain Taxonomic Photo. While Michigan documents them in most of the Lower Peninsula counties, their population levels widely differ according to county. In residential areas, they are basically only passing through. As a result of an encounter, many homeowners inquire into snake control measures when they see these large snakes. Michigan's only venomous snake is a rare sight for most state residents. Northern ribbon snakes have from 3 to 26 young, which are born in late summer. Like other rat snakes, they grow to be very large, over six feet in length. There are three venomous snakes that can be found in the Michigan area and they are dangerous snakes that should be avoided at all costs. There are seventeen species in the state, only one of which is venomous (Eastern Massasauga). Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Colubridae Subfamily: Natricinae Genus: Thamnophis Species: T. sauritus There are four subspecies of ribbon snakes: The eastern ribbon snake (T. s. sauritus), the western ribbon snake (T. s. nitae), the northern ribbon snake (T. s. septentrionalis), and the southern ribbon snake (T. s. … 12. The common name gray is really a very generic gray. Scientific Name: Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis Size: 6.3 – 9.4” Status: Common to abundant in appropriate habitat, but can become rare at edge of range. Thamnophis proximus, the Western ribbon snake, can be found ranging from the United States specifically Wisconsin and southward, down into Central America, including Belize and Costa Rica.The species is usually found active during early spring into the summer, and is most active during the day or during warm periods. The Northern Ribbon Snake is a long, thing snake with a whip-like tail. Ribbon snakes inhabit marshes or live near the edges of lakes, ponds, and streams. Nontechnical, contains illustrations and key to identifying snakes, as well as secti… Marshes are vital habitat for the feeding and reproducing of fish, water birds – ducks, geese, herons, cranes, rails, song birds, frogs, reptiles and many mammals (muskrats, beaver, and otter). The common name Fox refers to their odor. Western fox snakes prefer the drier areas around forests, prairies and pastures. Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis, the northern ribbon snake, is a subspecies of garter snake. The eastern garter snake, the most common Michigan species, ranges from 2 to 4 feet in length, whereas the Butler’s garter snake and northern ribbon snake … Geographic Range. April 2, 2012 - Author: J. Alan Holman Field guide to Michigan's 18 species of snakes, including the state's only venomous snake — Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Because it is so far north, Michigan is not rich in snake species. Ribbon snakes refers to a group of snakes in the genus Thamnophis, differentiated by the presence of longer tails and a light patch in front of the eye. Answer (1 of 6): OakleyOriginalsThe state of Michigan is certainly not renowned for having a large number of snakes, but there are a number of different species that can be found there. The 17 snakes you might meet in Michigan. They swim well, and their diets include frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, small fish, and insects. 16. Queen Snake. (41-71 cm) long. Due in large part to the milder climate of the Lower Peninsula, Michigan snakes rank among the most diverse group of snakes for all the northern border states. Depending on the source, Michigan snakes consist of nineteen species. The green button leads to pages providing additional snake pictures and information. The western fox snake is one of special concern to Michigan authorities as it faces habitat destruction of the woodlands and prairie lands it calls home. Eastern Fox Snakes are fairly large snakes that can grow up to five feet in length. Add an Observation. Carpenter (1952a, 1952b) found that the maximum straightline distance traveled was 278 m, the population density was 32.2 per hectare, juvenile growth was about 12-24 mm per month, and adult growth was about 1-4 mm per month. Ringneck Snake. 11. 2003). The common snake names such as racers, coachwhips and whipsnakes often get categorized under the genus Coluber. The fastest snake in Michigan crawls at approximately 4 mph. Two subspecies, the eastern ribbon snake (T. sauritus sauritus) and the northern ribbon snake (T. sauritus septentrionalis) may occur in New England (Conant and Collins 1998). Historically, they could be found in a … The range of the northern ribbon snake includes Nova Scotia and extends from southern Maine westward through New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Eastern Smooth Green Snake is a protected species in Michigan. Brown Snake. They occur from southern Maine, across southern Ontario, throughout Michigan, south to eastern Louisiana, throughout the Gulf states, including Florida, and throughout the eastern seaboard. Sometimes found in open swamps or near woodland … The Cottonmouth Snake, the Massauga Rattlesnake and … The population ecology of this snake has been studied only in Michigan. Check list for Reptiles (Class Reptilia) Add an ... Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita) Last seen on October 12, 2020 in Cherry Hill Nature Preserve | 0 comments. ... Michigan, New York, southern Maine, northern Ohio, Indiana, endangered species in Wisconsin. It can grow up … ... A couple of theories as how they got here in Michigan. Michigan lists them as endangered with only a few populations recorded along the southern border. Notes Ribbon Snakes have toxins in their saliva and the bite can produce mild reaction in humans. You can see some of the differences: the narrower head and body, for example, and the cleaner pattern (ribbon snakes usually don’t have markings between their stripes). While mostly found in the Lower Peninsula, they also have small populations in the Upper Peninsula. Red bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata). Northern ribbon snake is one of the subspecies of ribbon snake found in the United States and Canada. Most if not all species tend to be comparatively thin and very fast movers. Northern Red-bellied Snake. They live in multiple habitat in the southern one-third of the state. Michigan lists the Butler’s Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) as a species of Special Concern. Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) is the general name for one of the most widespread of all the snakes native to the United States. Both species rapidly vibrate their tail when they sense danger. Scientific name: Thamnophis sauritus Common name: Ribbon Snake (Information in this Species Page was compiled by Jennifer Sensor in Biology 220M, Spring 2005, at Penn State New Kensington) The ribbon snake is a member of the garter snake group (the genus Thamnophis).Ribbon snakes can be distinguished from their close relatives the true garter … It is a slender black or brown snake with three bright-yellow or white stripes on its back and sides. They have three light, usually yellow, stripes (two along the sides and one down the center of the back) against a dark background. SNAKE FEATURES: The internal organs of snakes are slightly modified due to their unique body structure. Next, examine the size. Northern Ribbon Snake : The Northern Ribbon Snake is a slender snake. A snake's maximum striking range is approximately 1/2 its body length. Here’s a quick overview of the nonvenomous Michigan snakes. Western fox snakes prefer the drier areas around forests, prairies and pastures. Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) are Michigan’s only venomous snakes. Blue Racer. Their bodies also have a pattern. 17. It is found along the southern most areas of the state. Reptiles are cold-blooded, and so usually pass the cold winters of Michigan … The young snakes are 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 cm) long and are colored the same as the adults. Ribbon snakes refers to a group of snakes in the genus Thamnophis, ... Two Fox Snake species inhabit Michigan, each with different habitat preferences. Northern Ribbon Snake ... Michigan's only venomous snake is a rare sight for most state residents. Kirtland's Snake. Historically, they could be found in a variety of wetlands and nearby … Plain-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster) also go by the name Copper-bellied Watersnake. There is never a sufficient amount of rodents or other food sources for them. They are listed as threatened in Michigan. They are associated with water and forest areas. The slender, non-poisonous snake belongs to the garter snake group ... Southern Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, northern Ohio, Indiana, Illinois (United States); southern Ontario, Nova Scotia, (Canada) Habitat: The have a pale or light color body covered with bold dark patches. Color is a common name applied to many of the species as well as the Black Racer. The Michigan Herp Atlas began in 2004 in an effort to collect observational data about Michigan's amphibians and reptiles. Many snakes do not have a fully developed left lung. Habitat: Found along edges of lakes, ponds, bogs, streams, and marshes, especially where low vegetation occurs. It is one of four subspecies of the ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) and occurs in the United States and Canada in southern Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, southern Ontario, Michigan, New York, Nova Scotia, northern Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. Their species are common throughout the United States and share some physical and behavorial traits. Also it has a shorter tail relative to its body length than do garter snakes. Probably the most distinctive characteristic about the Eastern Ribbon Snake's coloring is the presence of three light-colored stripes that run along the body. It is one of four subspecies of the ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) and occurs in the United States and Canada in southern Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, southern Ontario, Michigan, New York, Nova Scotia, northern Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. One is that someone had got these from a pet store and released them. Northern Ribbon Snake. The US state of Michigan is home to 19 snake species, out of which only one is poisonous ― the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake.So, you basically need to correctly identify this one to stay out of danger. Eastern garter snakes may even have a reddish tint to their yellow stripe. Between the yellow lateral stripes and the belly there is a brown lateral stripe. The Michigan Herp Atlas began in 2004 in an effort to collect observational data about Michigan's amphibians and reptiles. To be precise, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources lists 17 separate species you can find within our state. Residents can note bold stripes along the body. Reptiles are found throughout Michigan, although the only venomous species, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, is seen only in the Lower Peninsula. The Black Rat Snake is the largest of the snakes to be found in Michigan. Snakes have no eyelids. A butler's garter snake was last reported on May 19 in Washtenaw County and two northern ribbon snakes were located on May 14 in Gladwin County.. Michigan, one of the fifty United States, is home to two types of lizards, nineteen types of snakes and eleven types of turtles, all members of the class Reptilia. The ribbon snake is below and facing right; the garter snake is above and facing left. Michigan's marshes are found around lakes and along rivers. This snake can be confused with rattlesnakes because it sometimes shakes its tail in a similar manner. The northern subspecies has a characteristic rusty-red stripe running along the first and second scale rows and bordered by the two outermost lateral stripes. Eastern ribbon snakes are found throughout much of eastern North America east of the Mississippi River. People often end up killing other, non-venomous snakes after mistaking them for a rattlesnake.. As most garter snakes, the mother gives birth to live young (ovoviviparous). "Northern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thamnophis_sauritus_septentrionalis&oldid=999701790, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 11 January 2021, at 14:29. Northern Ribbon Snake Eastern Garter Snake. Ring-Necked Snake. [1] The head is black, with the scales alongside the mouth being white. Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis, the northern ribbon snake, is a subspecies of garter snake. It is black or brown with three yellow or white stripes along its back. 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