Description: The Western Ribbon Snake is often confused with the Eastern Ribbon Snake, which has a very similar look and coloration. A few distinguishing characteristics include the reduction or absence of a broad, brown ventro-lateral stripe found on the Eastern species. The large paired parietal spots, longer muzzle and tail on the Western Ribbon Snake are also a distinguishing features. They have pale undersides, usually a light yellow or green, while their backs will typically be dark brown or black with lighter side stripes. The Western Ribbon Snake have a maximum recorded SVL (snout to vent length) of around 50 inches. Most remain around 3 feet. Their tail is roughly 30% of their body length. Juveniles tend to be smaller than adults in body, but with proportionally larger heads.

Habitat: This species can be found in a wide range of habitats, usually around brush-heavy areas with bodies of water like streams, ponds, lakes, etc. It is a semi-aquatic species, and generally does not live far away from a water source. They will dive into water if disturbed, or hide themselves in thick brush or within crevices. Their body coloration helps them hide in these areas. They prefer warmer temperatures, but can be active between 4 and 42 degrees Celsius, with 22-26 their preference.

Range: 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.

Found in these States: AR | IA | IL | IN | KS | KY | LA | MO | MS | NE | NM | OK | TN | TX | WI

Diet: The main food for Thamnophis proximus are amphibians, with studies reporting them to be between 80-92% of their diet. Besides amphibians, they will consume fish, snails, eggs that they find, crustaceans, and rarely small mammals. Thamnophis proximus varies its diet based on its individual size. Larger than average snakes will catch larger prey, while smaller snakes with smaller mouths and body capacities will eat smaller prey. With this variation in prey size comes a variation in consumption times - after eating larger prey, a snake will have a longer period between meals in order to digest. Juvenile snakes with a relatively smaller body size compared to adults often have a proportionally-larger head in order to increase their gape, and the size of prey available. Adult snakes will eat smaller prey, as the head-to-body proportion does not continue into adulthood, and has not been shown to be advantageous.

Reproduction: Female western ribbon snakes can be gravid as early as April, but births usually occur between June and mid-September. Females incubate the eggs within and then have live births of between 3 and 21 offspring. The offspring's mean length can be 16 to 28cm, with little variation within clutches. Mass size varies greater within clutches, from 1.1 to 3.1 grams. Larger females tend to give birth to larger clutches with greater mass.

Status: Listed as Least Concern because it has a wide distribution, large population, and is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

Subspecies: Six, with just four found in the United States:
   Chiapas Highland Ribbon Snake - (Thamnophis proximus alpinus)
   Arid Land Ribbon Snake - (Thamnophis proximus diabolicus)
   Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake - (Thamnophis proximus orarius)
   Orange-striped Ribbonsnake - (Thamnophis proximus proximus)
   Redstripe Ribbon Snake - (Thamnophis proximus rubrilineatus)
   Central American Ribbon Snake - (Thamnophis proximus rutiloris)

Taxonomy: