Department
of Biological Science
Marshall
University
One
John Marshall Dr.
Huntington,
WV 25755
Master Thesis Research:
Ecological and Morphogical
Comparison of the Common Ribbonsnake and the Eastern Gartersnake
·
Surveyed
West Virginia for habitat and presence of the Common Ribbonsnake
and Eastern Gartersnake.
·
Conducted
morphometrical analysis on Common Ribbonsnake
·
Compared
morphometrics of Common Ribbonsnake
with Eastern Gartersnake
·
Compared
morphometrics of Common Ribbonsnake
with an aquatic snake: Queen Snake (Regina
septumvittata)
·
Compared
morphometrics of Common Ribbonsnake with an arboreal snake: Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)
·
Analyzed
habitat of Common Ribbonsnake through vegetation surveys
·
Analyzed
habitat of Eastern Gartersnake through vegetation
surveys
·
Compared
habitats of Common Ribbonsnake and Eastern Gartersnake
·
Analyzed
diet of Common ribbonsnake and Eastern Gartersnake
·
Characterized reproduction of Common Ribbonsnake
and Eastern Gartersnake
·
Compared
reproduction characteristics of Common Ribbonsnake to
literature
·
Compared
reproduction characteristics of Common Ribbonsnake to
Eastern Gartersnake
Common Ribbonsnake Thamnophis sauritus sauritus
Current research has shown that this snake may
in fact be even more rare then thought, which may
change the status from rare and imperiled (S2) to extremely rare and critically
impaired (S1) in West Virginia.
The Common Ribbonsnake
is a very slender snake, the thinnest of all the species of the Thamnophis genus.
This snake ranges from 45-66cm long, the average tail length is 19cm and
comprises about one-third of the entire body length. Three light colored
stripe, one vertebral stripe, and two lateral stripes run lengthwise down the
body. The two lateral stripes fall along scale rows three and four.
Noah
McCoard
The Common Ribbonsnake
prefers a diet of amphibians, especially frogs; however fish are occasionally
taken as well.
The habitat of the Common Ribbonsnake
is limited to wetlands, river, streams and areas with water and an abundant
supply of amphibians.
Eastern Gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
The Eastern Gartersnake
is one the most common snakes found in West Virginia. This species is
considered as very common and secure (S5) by the West Virginia. This species
looks similar to the Common Ribbonsnake however is
much more robust. The Eastern Gartersnake often has
three longitudinal stripes as the Ribbonsnake,
however the two lateral stripes are found on scale rows two and three. Two rows
of black or brown dots are often present between the stripes. Some individuals
have no stripes at all or have a checkered pattern. The tail is much shorter
than the Common Ribbonsnake , averaging 10cm comprising closer to one-eighth of the
total length.
Noah McCoard
The habitat is variable as well; habitats
include open fields, wooded hillsides, roadsides, wetlands, even rock crevices.
If you have any questions or comments regarding
this research, please contact me at nsmccoard@yahoo.com
Photos:
Noah McCoard Noah McCoard