Ribbon Snake

Eutaenia saurita, (Linn.)

Colouration.—Rich, dark brown or black above, with a vivid yellow stripe extending down the back, and a similar stripe on each side, the latter covering the third and fourth rows of scales above the abdominal plates. With brown specimens, the stripes are narrowly bordered with black. The stripe on the back is very sharply delineated and produces a ribbon-like aspect--hence the popular name.

Dimensions.—The largest specimen of this species examined by the writer was taken near Fort Lee, New Jersey. It measured 32 inches in length; of these dimensions, the tail composed 10 1/2 inches. Following are the measurements of an adult of average size:

Distribution.—Southeastern Canada and the United States, east of the Mississippi. It is not a very abundant species, and, unlike several of the reptiles of this genus, appears to retreat from the steadily increasing zones of cultivation. The writer has always found it in greatest numbers along the borders of streams and lakes, in mountainous regions.

Habits.—Frequenting damp places, generally the grassy banks of ponds and streams, this very active snake feeds upon small frogs, tadpoles and salamanders. It swims and dives with the ease and agility of the water snakes, and will take refuge beneath aquatic plants, remaining under the surface for some minutes.

The species is one of the most slender of the American serpents. It is of moderate size. The scales are strongly keeled, thus imparting a velvety aspect to the upper surface. With most specimens, the tail constitutes a third or more of the total length.

Beneath the stripe on the side, is a broad band of chestnut-brown, which covers the first and second rows of scales and extends a slight distance over the edges of the abdominal plates. The abdomen is immaculate yellowish-white.

The top of the head is dark, but the upper lip plates are bright yellow. In front of the eye, which is large, is an upright and narrow yellow streak or spot.

Like all of the serpents of the genus Eutaenia, the Ribbon Snake shows white, line-like spots on the skin between the scales when the body is distended. However, it lacks a character that is evident on the majority of these reptiles. This consists of a series of square spots between the stripes, arranged in checkerboard fashion.

With the exception of one species, the Ribbon Snake is quite distinct from the other striped snakes, owing to its very elongate form. The species with which it may be confused is Osten-Sacken's Ribbon Snake (E. sackeni), another very slender reptile with bright yellow stripes on the sides, but either lacking the stripe of the back, or possessing only a dull streak of yellow immediately behind the head.

Total Length . . . . . 2 feet, 2 inches.

Length of Tail . . . . . 9 1/4 inches.

Diameter of Body . . . . . 3/8 inches.

Width of Head . . . . . 3/8 inches.

Length of Head . . . . . 3/4 inches.

On several occasions the writer has observed these snakes feeding while in a wild state. In one instance he was resting while crossing a belt of heavy timber, in New Jersey. The high, rasping croak of a wood frog denoted something to be the matter. Peering through the undergrowth a wood frog was seen struggling in the jaws of a Ribbon Snake. So vigorous was the batrachian that it tore itself from the reptile's grasp and started away in a series of frantic hops, with the snake in pursuit. So lightning-like were the undulations and progress of the pursuer that it readily kept up with the frog, although the former had a start of several feet gained immediately after its escape from the snake's jaws. After a dozen frenzied leaps, the frog paused to recover breath, and the snake, momentarily losing sight of it, stopped as well, but was all attention with head and neck upraised, eyes staring in the direction of the prey, and flashing tongue. Imagining the danger past the frog settled down to rest. But woe to the unfortunate creature, a single move brought instantaneous fate. With the characteristic movement of frogs and toads it folded its limbs tighter to its body and flattened to the damp ground--but that slight movement betrayed its presence to the snake, which responded with a dash so quick and unerring that before the frog could make a jump it was in the reptile's jaws. The observer remained quiet until the frog was swallowed and the snake, with the outline of the meal clearly defined, glided away among the bushes.