Here are some pictures of an Eastern Ribbon Snake who came to my small pond last year. (NOTE: the inset photo in the upper right is the picture I found online that identified the snake for me). My snake was about 5 feet long. I have see other ribbon snakes in the yard (very small less than a foot long) but I always thought they were just garter snakes...until I saw this one and then I figured out that the small ones I see are not garter snakes but actually Eastern Ribbon Snake babies who have yet to attain their full length/size. I don't like snakes at all (on the other hand my hubby adores them) so he is always glad to have the harmless ones like this (and the black snake shown above) around the place. We have only 3 poisonous snake varieties here in Pennsylvania (copperheads, eastern diamond back rattlers, and ...um I forget the 3rd), but I know the copperheads really like water and rocks....so, I hope I continue to be lucky and only have the "good" guys around my ponds. Hubby says black snakes eat other snakes...so although they terrify me when I spot them...if they keep the copperheads away...I guess they're okay with me :-)