Northern Ribbon Snake

Ribbon snakes in Nova Scotia are known only from Queens and Lunenburg Counties, although they also live in southern Ontario and the northeastern United States. They look something like Garter Snakes, but are more slender with dark brown or black colour and a bright yellowish stripe down the back and on each side. Their preferred home is boggy or grassy places on the shores of quiet ponds or streams.

Although active during the day, Ribbon Snakes seem nervous - they will quickly hide under plants when you approach. These snakes are also quite at home in the water. Ribbon Snakes are smaller than Garter Snakes; their young, about 10 to a litter, are born alive. Small fish, frogs and insects are common food animals.

Ribbon snakes in Nova Scotia are quite a mystery. They can be very hard to find, and they don't turn up in the same place each year. Ribbon Snakes and Blandings Turtles are alike - there are small populations in southwestern Nova Scotia, cut off from much larger populations in Ontario. Blandings Turtles are being studied, but we need to learn much more about Ribbon Snakes.