The subspecific name, sackenii, is in honor of Russian entomologist Carl Robert Romanovich von der Osten-Sacken.

[4] The southern ribbon snake occurs in the southeastern United States in extreme southern South Carolina, southeastern Georgia, and peninsular Florida, at elevations from sea level to 500 feet (150 meters).

Adults of T. s. sackenii are 16–30 in (41–76 cm) in total length (including tail).

[6] The southern ribbon snake is found in marshes, lakes, ponds, and shores of streams.

It is semi-aquatic and semi-arboreal with wet meadows and thicket a favorite habitat.