Harmless · North Carolina
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis saurita
Very slender striped snake commonly associated with water.
At a glance
Size
Usually 18-34 inches.
North Carolina range
Piedmont, Coastal Plain
Habitat
marshes, pond edges, wet meadows
Diet
Mostly frogs, salamanders, and small fish.
Pattern
stripes
Venomous
No
How to identify it
Extremely slender snake with three bright stripes, a long tail, and a pale spot in front of the eye.
Where to look in North Carolina
Found mainly in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Marshes, pond margins, wet meadows, and stream edges.
Regional maps show broad physiographic provinces, not county-level records.
Photo guide
Use the gallery to check pattern, body shape, and context—not just overall color.
