Is the Common Ribbon Snake venomous?

No. The Common Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.

Is the Common Ribbon Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Common Ribbon Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Common Ribbon Snake dangerous?

The Common Ribbon Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Common Ribbon Snake live?

The Common Ribbon Snake has verified records in 8 countries, including United States of America, Canada, Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Garter / Ribbon snake

Common Ribbon Snake

Harmless

Thamnophis saurita

Common Ribbon Snake — Thamnophis saurita, © Larry Jensen

3 photographs of the Common Ribbon Snake. © Larry Jensen.

The Common Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 8 countries.

Also called: Garter / Ribbon snake
Family: Colubridae
Size: Slender, 1.5–3 ft.
Habitat: Almost anywhere with moisture — gardens, fields, wetlands, and streamsides.
Behavior: Harmless and active by day; may release musk if handled. The most commonly seen snakes across most of the U.S.
Identify: Slender body with three light stripes running the length of a darker back.

About the Common Ribbon Snake

The Common Ribbon Snake belongs to the Colubridae family, colubrids. The largest snake family, and the one most snakes you meet belong to.

Colubridae is by far the biggest family of snakes, with roughly two thousand species worldwide. It is a catch-all of mostly slender, agile, day-active snakes: ratsnakes, kingsnakes, gartersnakes, watersnakes, racers, whipsnakes, and hundreds more. The vast majority are harmless to people and kill prey by grabbing or constricting rather than with venom.

Its genus, Thamnophis, covers garter snakes. Garter and ribbon snakes are the small striped colubrids most North Americans meet first. They are widespread, harmless in any practical sense, and a familiar sight in gardens and near water.

The Common Ribbon Snake is non-venomous and harmless to people. Like most snakes it is a quiet predator that helps keep rodents and other small prey in check. Slender body with three light stripes running the length of a darker back.

Slender, 1.5–3 ft. Almost anywhere with moisture — gardens, fields, wetlands, and streamsides.

It has been recorded across 8 countries, including the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Martinique and Honduras. In the United States it has been documented in 33 states, including Florida, Ontario, Virginia and Michigan.

Field-guide summary compiled from taxonomy and verified occurrence records. Detailed natural-history notes for this species are still being added.

Frequently asked: Common Ribbon Snake

Is the Common Ribbon Snake venomous?: No. The Common Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
Is the Common Ribbon Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Common Ribbon Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Common Ribbon Snake dangerous?: The Common Ribbon Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Common Ribbon Snake live?: The Common Ribbon Snake has verified records in 8 countries, including United States of America, Canada, Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
How do I identify the Common Ribbon Snake?: Slender body with three light stripes running the length of a darker back.
How big does the Common Ribbon Snake get?: Slender, 1.5–3 ft.

More Colubridae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Colubridae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Thamnophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Thamnophis saurita

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.