Head to head
Western Ribbon Snake vs Green Water Snake
A western ribbon snake and a green water snake both spend their lives close to southern wetlands, yet a person startled by one has a very different experience than a person startled by the other, one a streak of yellow stripes vanishing instantly, the other a large, hissing body that looks far more dangerous than it actually is.
| Western Ribbon Snake | Green Water Snake | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Thamnophis proximus | Nerodia cyclopion |
| Body size | Slender, small to medium | Large, heavy-bodied |
| Primary defence | Fast flight into water or cover | Defensive hissing and striking display |
| Often mistaken for | Nothing in particular | The venomous cottonmouth |
| Pattern | Three bold yellow or orange stripes | Plain olive-green to brown |
| Temperament | Fast, alert, flighty | Defensive but not aggressive unprovoked |
| Diet | Amphibians and small fish | Fish and amphibians |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Western Ribbon Snake vs Green Water Snake: common questions
Which of these two snakes is more likely to be mistaken for something dangerous?
The green water snake is far more likely to be mistaken for something dangerous, since its large size, dark colouration, and defensive hissing and striking display when cornered closely resemble the venomous cottonmouth, while the western ribbon snake's slender build and bold striping don't resemble any venomous species people commonly worry about.
Why does the western ribbon snake flee instead of standing its ground like the green water snake?
The western ribbon snake is notably fast and alert, relying on quick flight into water or dense vegetation as its primary defence, while the green water snake's much larger, heavier body makes rapid escape less practical, so it instead relies on a dramatic defensive bluff, flattening its body and striking, to discourage a threat from following through.
Are either of these snakes actually venomous?
No, both the western ribbon snake and the green water snake are entirely non-venomous and pose no real danger to people, though the green water snake's size and defensive display cause it to be killed far more often by people who mistake it for the venomous cottonmouth it merely resembles.