NON-VENOMOUS

SNAKES IN
GEORGIA

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 WORM
SNAKE
CARPHOPHIS AMOENUS

DESCRIPTION: Worm snakes are small snakes, 35

cm (14 in) or less in total length. They are usually
a dark brown in color on the upperside, with a
lighter-colored, pink, or orange underside. They
are easily mistaken for other similar species, such
as the earth snakes (genus Virginia) and the
brown snakes (genus Storeria). They have narrow
heads, small eyes, and sharp tail tips. They are
not venomous.
BEHAVIOR: Worm snakes are fossorial snakes,
and spend the vast majority of their time buried
in loose, rocky soil, or under forest leaf litter. They
are abundant within their range, but rarely seen
due to their secretive nature.

REPRODUCTION: Little is known about their

mating habits, but breeding likely occurs in early
spring. The eggs are laid in early summer. Clutch
size is normally two to five eggs, and hatching
takes place in August or September. Hatchlings
range in size from 7 to 12 cm (about 3-5 inches). CARPHOPHIS VERMIS

DIET: Worm snakes eat almost entirely

earthworms, but they will also consume soft-
bodied insects.

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SCARLET
SNAKE
CEMOPHORA COCCINEA

DESCRIPTION: The scarlet snake is relatively

small, growing to a total length (including tail) of
14-26 inches (36–66 cm) at adult size. The dorsal
pattern consists of a light gray ground color, with
a series of black-bordered red, white or yellow
blotches down the back. The belly is either a
uniform light gray or white color. The dorsal
blotches can extend down the sides of the body,
appearing somewhat like banding or rings,
which sometimes leads to confusion with other
sympatric species such as the venomous coral
snakes or the harmless scarlet king snake.
BEHAVIOR & DIET: The scarlet snake is nocturnal and
is active only during the summer months. They can
be found during the day beneath logs, under pine
debris or other organic litter. At night they are often
seen crossing roads, setting out to look for food. C.
coccinea's diet consists of lizards, small rodents, the
eggs of snakes lizards and turtles, and other snakes.
Their large, very sharp posterior teeth are used to
slash open large reptile eggs. The snake will either
squeeze an egg to expel its contents or thrust its
head into the egg to break it open. The smallest
reptile eggs are eaten in their entirety.
REPRODUCTION: There is very little known about the
reproductive habits of the scarlet snake. It is
oviparous, generally laying 2-9 eggs per clutch, with
the typical clutch yielding five eggs. Breeding occurs
throughout the spring months, and eggs are laid CEMOPHORA COCCINEA
throughout the summer in burrows or under rocks.
The eggs hatch two months after breeding, typically
in the late summer or autumn.

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EASTERN
RACER
COLUBER CONSTRICTOR

DESCRIPTION: Adult eastern racers can typically

vary from 50 to 152 cm (20 to 60 in) in total length
(including tail) depending on the subspecies, but a
record-sized specimen measured 185.4 cm (73.0 in)
in total length. A typical adult specimen will weigh
around 556 g (1.226 lb), with little size difference
between the sexes. The patterns vary widely
among subspecies. Most are solid-colored as their
common names imply: black racers, brown racers,
tan racers, blue racers, or green racers. "Runner" is
sometimes used instead of "racer" in their
common names. All subspecies have a lighter-
colored underbelly: white, light tan, or yellow in
color. Juveniles are more strikingly patterned, with
a middorsal row of dark blotches on a light ground
color. The tail is unpatterned. As they grow older,
the dorsum darkens and the juvenile pattern
gradually disappears.

REPRODUCTION: In C. constrictor, mating takes

place in the spring from April until early June.
Around a month later, the female lays three to 30
eggs in a hidden nest site, such as a hollow log, an
abandoned rodent burrow, or under a rock. The
juveniles hatch in the early fall. A newborn is 8–10
in (20–26 cm) in total length. Maturity is reached
around 2 years old. Eastern racers have been
known to lay their eggs in communal sites, where
a number of snakes, even those from other species,
all lay their eggs together.

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EASTERN
RACER
COLUBER CONSTRICTOR

BEHAVIOR: The eastern racers are fast-moving,

highly active, diurnal snakes. Their diet consists
primarily of small rodents, other mammals (as
large as small cottontail rabbits), frogs, toads,
small turtles, lizards, and other snakes. Some
subspecies are known to climb trees to eat eggs
and young birds. Juveniles often consume soft-
bodied insects and other small invertebrates, as
well as small frogs, small reptiles (including
lizards and snakes and their eggs), young
rodents, and shrews.
Despite their specific name, constrictor, they do
not really employ constriction, instead simply
subduing struggling prey by pinning it bodily,
pressing one or two coils against it to hold it in
place instead of actually suffocating it. Most
smaller prey items are simply swallowed alive.
They are curious snakes with excellent vision
and are sometimes seen raising their heads
above the height of the grass where they are
crawling to view what is around them. Aptly
named, racers are very fast and typically flee
from a potential predator.
However, once cornered, they put up a vigorous
fight, biting hard and often. They are difficult to
handle and will writhe, defecate, and release a
foul-smelling musk from their cloacae. Vibrating
their tails among dry leaves, racers can sound
convincingly like rattlesnakes.

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RINGNECK
SNAKE
DIADOPHIS PUNCTATUS

DESCRIPTION: Ring-necked snakes are fairly similar in

morphology throughout much of their distribution. They
are from Mount Diablo, California. Its dorsal coloration is
solid olive, brown, bluish-gray to smoky black, broken only
by a distinct yellow, red, or yellow-orange neckband. A few
populations in New Mexico, Utah, and other distinct
locations do not have a distinctive neckband. Additionally,
individuals may have reduced or partially colored neck
bands that are hard to distinguish; coloration may also be
more of a cream color rather than bright orange or red.
Head coloration tends to be slightly darker than the rest of
the body, with tendencies to be blacker than grey or olive.
Ventrally, the snakes exhibit a yellow-orange to red
coloration broken by crescent-shaped black spots along
the margins. Some individuals lack the distinct ventral
coloration but typically retain the black spotting. Rarely,
do individuals lack both the ventral and neck band
coloration; so the use of those two characteristics is the
simplest way to distinguish the species. Size also varies
across the species' distribution. Typically, adults measure
25–38 cm (10–15 in) in length, except for D. p. regalis, which
measures 38–46 cm (15–18 in).[7] First-year juvenile snakes
are typically about 20 cm (8 in) and grow about 2–5 cm (1–2
in) a year depending on the developmental stage or
resource availability. Ring-necked snakes have smooth
scales with 15–17 scale rows at the midbody. Males typically
have small tubercles on their scales just anterior to the
vent, which are usually absent in females.

REPRODUCTION: Ring-necked snakes usually mate in the spring. In some subspecies, though, mating occurs in the fall, and delayed
implantation occurs. Females attract males by secreting pheromones from their skin. Once the male finds a female, he starts by moving
his closed mouth along the female's body. Then, the male bites the female around her neck ring, maneuvering to align their bodies so
sperm can be inserted into the female's vent. Females lay their eggs in loose, aerated soils under a rock or in a rotted log. Three to ten
eggs are deposited in early summer and hatch in August or September. The egg is elongated with a white color contrasted by yellow
ends. When hatched, juveniles are precocial and fend for themselves without parental care.

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RINGNECK
SNAKE
DIADOPHIS PUNCTATUS

DIET: The diet of the ring-necked snake consists

primarily of smaller salamanders, earthworms, and
slugs, but they also sometimes eat lizards, frogs, and
some juvenile snakes of other species. The frequency at
which prey species are chosen is dependent on their
availability within the habitat. Michigan populations of
the Eastern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus
edwardsii) feed almost exclusively on red-backed
salamanders. Ring-necked snakes use a combination of
constriction and envenomation to secure their prey. In
a study analyzing the dietary habits of this species, age,
amount of food consumed, and temperature were
conditions that highly affected digestion. The snakes
do not have a true venom gland, but they do have an
analogous structure called the Duvernoy's gland
derived from the same tissue. Most subspecies are rear-
fanged with the last maxillary teeth on both sides of
the upper jaw being longer and channeled; the notable
exception is D. p. edwardsii, which is fangless. The
venom is produced in the Duvernoy's gland located
directly behind the eye. It then drains out of an
opening at the rear of the maxillary tooth. Ring-necked
snakes first strike and then secure the prey using
constriction. Next, they maneuver their mouths
forward, ensuring the last maxillary tooth punctures
the skin and allowing the venom to enter the prey's
tissue.
The secretion significantly affects the righting response of the prey. Ring-necked snakes are rarely aggressive to larger
predators, suggesting their venom evolved as a feeding strategy rather than a defense strategy. Rather than trying to bite a
predator, the snake winds up its tail into a corkscrew, exposing its brightly colored belly. Ring-necked snakes are primarily
nocturnal or highly crepuscular, though some diurnal activity has been observed. Individuals are sometimes found during
the day, especially on cloudy days, sunning themselves to gain heat. Yet, most individuals lie directly under surface objects
warmed in the sun and use conduction with that object to gain heat. Though ring-necked snakes are highly secretive, they
do display some social structure, but the exact social hierarchies have never been evaluated. Many populations have been
identified to have large colonies of more than 100 individuals, and some reports indicate some smaller colonies occupy the
same microhabitats.
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 INDIGO
SNAKE
DRYMARCHON CORAIS

DESCRIPTION: Indigo snakes are large, robust

snakes which can reach a total length (including
tail) of over 3 m (9.8 ft). They have smooth dorsal
scales, and several color variations, including a
glossy blue-black color. This snake genus,
Drymarchon, means "Lord of The Forest". This is a
sexually dimorphic species so the males are
larger than the females. This is thought to be due
to intraspecies competition from the males.
BEHAVIOR & DIET: Indigo snakes are diurnal and
actively forage for prey. They feed on a broad
variety of small animals such as rodents, birds,
lizards, frogs, toads, and other snakes, including
rattlesnakes. They are not aggressive snakes and
will bite only when threatened. Typical threat
display includes hissing and shaking of its tail as
a warning.

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 CORN
SNAKE
PANTHEROPHIS GUTTATUS

DESCRIPTION: As an adult, the corn snake may have

a total length (including tail) of 61–182 cm (2.00–5.97
ft). In the wild, it usually lives around ten to fifteen
years, but in captivity can live to an age of 23 years or
more. The record for the oldest corn snake in
captivity was 32 years and 3 months. The corn snake
can be distinguished from a copperhead by the corn
snake's brighter colors, slender build, round pupils,
and lack of heat-sensing pits.

REPRODUCTION: It has been found that corn snakes

(along with other colubrids) reach sexual maturity by
means of size, as opposed to age. Corn snakes are
relatively easy to breed. Although not necessary, they are
usually put through a cooling (also known as brumation)
period that takes 60–90 days to get them ready for
breeding. Corn snakes brumate around 10 to 16 °C (50 to
61 °F) in a place where they cannot be disturbed and with
little sunlight. Corn snakes usually breed shortly after the
winter cooling. The male courts the female primarily with
tactile and chemical cues then everts one of his
hemipenes, inserts it into the female, and ejaculates his
sperm. If the female is ovulating, the eggs will be
fertilized and she will begin sequestering nutrients into
the eggs, then secreting a shell. Egg-laying occurs slightly
more than a month after mating, with 12–24 eggs
deposited into a warm, moist, hidden location. Once laid,
the adult snake abandons the eggs and does not return
to them. The eggs are oblong with leathery, flexible
shells. About 10 weeks after laying, the young snakes use
a specialized scale called an egg tooth to slice slits in the
egg shell, from which they emerge at about 5 in long.

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 CORN
SNAKE
PANTHEROPHIS GUTTATUS

REPRODUCTION: Reproduction in captivity has to be

done correctly so the clutch's mortality rate decreases.
This includes accurate sexing, establishing proper pre-
breeding conditioning, and timely pairing of adults.
Corn snakes are temperate zone colubrids, and share a
reproductive pattern where females increase their
feeding during summer and fall. This only applies to
corn snakes that are sexually mature, which typically
indicates the snake is around 75 cm (30 inches) in
length or weight 250 g.

DIET: Like all snakes, corn snakes are carnivorous

and, in the wild, they eat every few days. While
most corn snakes eat small rodents, such as the
white-footed mouse, they may also eat other
reptiles, and amphibians, or climb trees to find
unguarded bird eggs. Seasons play a large role in
the thermal regulation patterns of corn snakes,
which is the main mechanism of digestion for
snakes. During the fall season, corn snakes
maintain body temperatures that were 3.0 degrees
Celsius higher than the surrounding environment
after consuming a meal. While corn snakes in the
winter were seen to not thermoregulate after
digestion. Captive snakes do this by using heat
mats as an underneath heat source to replicate
their natural conditions. Corn snakes demonstrate
nocturnal patterns and use the warm ground at
night to thermoregulate, therefore heat mats
replicate this source. American "rat snakes", such as
P. guttatus, had venomous ancestors, which lost
their venom after they evolved constriction as a
means of prey capture.

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 RAT
SNAKE
PANTHEROPHIS OBSOLETUS

DESCRIPTION: Rat snakes are members – along

with kingsnakes, milk snakes, vine snakes, and
indigo snakes – of the subfamily Colubrinae of
the family Colubridae. They are medium to large
constrictors and are found throughout much of
the Northern Hemisphere. They feed primarily on
rodents. Many species make attractive and
docile pets and one, the corn snake, is one of the
most popular reptile pets in the world. As with
all snakes, they can be defensive when
approached too closely, handled, or restrained.
However, rat snake bites are not dangerous to
humans. Like nearly all colubrids, rat snakes pose
no threat to humans. Rat snakes were long
believed to be completely nonvenomous, but
recent studies have shown that some Old World
species do possess small amounts of venom,
though the amount is negligible relative to
humans.
Previously, most rat snakes were assigned to the
genus Elaphe, but many have been since
renamed following mitochondrial DNA analysis
performed in 2002. For the purpose of this
article, names will be harmonized with the TIGR
Database.

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 MUD
SNAKE
FARANCIA ABACURA

DESCRIPTION: The mud snake usually grows to a total

length (including tail) of 40 to 54 inches (1-1.4 m), with
the record total length being slightly over 80 inches (2
m). This species is sexually dimorphic in size. Female
adults are larger than males in total length. The upper
side of the mud snake is glossy black. The underside is
red and black, and the red extends up the sides to
form bars of reddish pink. Although, some have a
completely black body with slightly lighter black spots
instead of the common reddish colors. The heavy body
is cylindrical in cross-section, and the short tail has a
terminal spine. The head scalation is distinctive in that
there is only one internasal scale, no preocular scale,
and one anterior temporal scale. The dorsal scales are
smooth and are arranged in 19 rows at the midbody.
There are 168–208 ventral scales and 31–55 subcaudal
scales. The anal plate is divided.
BEHAVIOR: The mud snake is mostly aquatic
and nocturnal. It preys mostly on giant aquatic
salamanders in the genera Siren and Amphiuma,
but it also eats other amphibians. They are
known to use their sharply pointed tails to prod
prey items, leading to the nickname "stinging
snake," although their tail is not a stinger and
cannot sting. Enlarged teeth occur at the rear of
the upper jaw, which presumably helps to hold
slippery prey. Upon being disturbed, mud snakes
will sometimes tuck their head beneath their
coils and expose the red underside on the tail as
a warning display.

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 MUD
SNAKE
FARANCIA ABACURA

REPRODUCTION: Breeding of F. abacura takes

place in the spring, mostly in the months of April
and May. Eight weeks after mating, the female
lays 4 to 111 eggs in a nest dug out of moist soil,
sometimes in alligator nests. There is a positive
correlation between body length and clutch size,
with larger females having larger clutch sizes.
She will remain with her eggs until they hatch,
[15] in the fall, usually in September or October.
Although unhatched eggs have not been found
in the winter or spring, many juvenile
mudsnakes are captured entering wetlands in
the spring, most likely from clutches deposited
and hatched in the preceding late summer or
autumn. It is thought that mudsnake hatchlings
either enter aquatic habitats in the autumn or
delay entering them until the spring, but it is not
known if they remain in a terrestrial nest or
disperse into terrestrial habitats during this time.

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RAINBOW
SNAKE
FARANCIA ERYTROGRAMMA

DESCRIPTION: Dorsally, rainbow snakes have smooth,

glossy bluish-black back scales, with three red stripes.
They have short tails, with a spiny tips which they
sometimes use as a probe. Adults may show yellow
coloration along the sides and on the head. They
usually grow to a total length (including tail) of 36-48
inches (91–122 cm), although some specimens have
been recorded up to 66 inches (168 cm) in total length
Females are larger than males.
BEHAVIOR: Rainbow snakes are rarely seen due to
their secretive habits. They spend most of their lives in
the water, hiding in aquatic vegetation or other forms
of cover. They are strong swimmers, and also know
how to burrow into mud and sand. Rainbow snakes
are not aggressive when captured, and do not bite
their captors. In New Kent County, Virginia, they are
abundant in sandy fields near the Chickahominy River,
and great numbers are turned up by plows in the
spring.
REPRODUCTION: Adult female rainbow snakes usually
lay their eggs in July, leaving them underground in
sandy soil. A clutch consists of around 20 eggs on
average, but large females may lay over 50. The young
are hatched in late summer or fall.

DIET: Rainbow snakes subsist mainly on eels, but also

prey on small frogs, tadpoles, and salamanders. They
eat their prey alive, usually swallowing them head first.

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 EASTERN
HOGNOSE SNAKE
HETERODON PLATIRHINOS

DESCRIPTION: The average adult H. platirhinos

measures 71 cm (28 in) in total length (including
tail), with females being larger than males. The
maximum recorded total length is 116 cm (46 in).
The generic name Heterodon is derived from the
Greek words heteros meaning "different" and odon
meaning "tooth". The specific name platirhinos is
derived from the Greek words platys meaning
"broad or flat" and rhinos meaning "snout". The
most distinguishing feature is the upturned snout,
used for digging in sandy soils. The color pattern is
extremely variable. It can be red, green, orange,
brown, gray to black, or any combination thereof
depending on locality. Dorsally, it can be blotched,
checkered, or patternless. The belly tends to be a
solid gray, yellow, or cream-colored. In this species,
the underside of the tail is lighter than the belly.

BEHAVIOR: When the eastern hognose snake is

threatened, the neck is flattened and the head is
raised off the ground, like a cobra. It also hisses
and will strike with its mouth closed, but it does
not attempt to bite. The result can be likened to
a high-speed head-butt. If this threat display
does not work to deter a would-be predator, an
eastern hognose snake will often roll onto its
back and play dead, going so far as to emit a foul
musk from its cloaca and let its tongue hang out
of its mouth. One individual was observed
playing dead for 45 minutes before reanimating
and moving away.

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 EASTERN
HOGNOSE SNAKE
HETERODON PLATIRHINOS

REPRODUCTION: Eastern hognose snakes mate in April

and May. Females lay their eggs in small soil depressions,
mammal burrows, or under rocks.[9] Some females have
been observed traveling past viable nesting conditions in
order to reach communal nesting sites.The females, which
lay 8–40 eggs (average about 25) in June or early July, do
not take care of the eggs or young. The eggs, which
measure about 33 mm × 23 mm (1+1⁄3 in × 1 in), hatch after
about 60 days, from late July to September. The hatchlings
are 16.5–21 cm (6.5–8.3 in) long. They have an average nest
temperature of 23-26 degrees Celsius incubating for an
average of 49-63 days.

VENOM: Although H. platirhinos is rear-fanged, it

is often considered nonvenomous because it is
not harmful to humans. Heterodon means
"different tooth", which refers to the enlarged
teeth at the rear of the upper jaw. These teeth
inject a mild amphibian-specific venom into
prey. The fangs receive the venom from the
snake's Duvernoy's gland. Bitten humans who
are allergic to the saliva have been known to
experience local swelling, but no human deaths
have been documented.

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SOUTHERN
HOGNOSE
SNAKE HETERODON SIMUS

DESCRIPTION: Adults are 35.5–61 cm (14-24

inches) in total length. Stout with a wide neck
and a sharply upturned snout, they usually have
25 rows of keeled dorsal scales at midbody. The
dorsal color pattern consists of a light brown,
yellowish, grayish, or reddish ground color,
overlaid with a distinct row of dark blotches that
alternate with smaller blotches on the flanks.
The belly is distinctly darker in color than the
underside of the tail in juveniles. As the snake
ages, the underside usually becomes pale white.

REPRODUCTION: This species is oviparous.

mature adults mate from April through August.
The thin-shelled, leathery, whitish eggs are laid
in clutches of 6-14. After 55–60 days the eggs
hatch. Each hatchling is 15–18 cm (6-7 inches) in
total length.

DIET: Heterodon simus preys upon toads, frogs

(especially Hyla gratiosa and Pseudacris ornata),
spadefoots, and Mouses.

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 MOLE
KINGSNAKE
LAMPROPELTIS CALLIGASTER

DESCRIPTION: It is light brown or grey in color,

with dark grey, dark brown, or reddish-brown
blotching down the length of their bodies. They
are capable of growing to lengths of 76–102 cm
(30–40 in). They are easily mistaken for various
species of rat snake of the genus Pantherophis,
which share habitat, and can have similar
markings. Some specimens have their markings
faded, to appear almost a solid brown color.
Juveniles usually have a brown stripe down the
back of their bodies. They have two black spots
behind the head and smaller black spots down the
back on both sides of the stripe.

BEHAVIOR: Prairie kingsnakes' preferred habitat is

open grassland with loose, dry soil, typically on the
edge of a forested region, not far from a permanent
source of water. Their diet consists primarily of
rodents, but they will also consume lizards, frogs and PRAIRIE KINGSNAKE
occasionally other snakes. They are nonvenomous,
and typically docile. Like most colubrids, if harassed
they will shake their tail, which if in dry leaf litter can
sound remarkably like a rattlesnake. They are not
typically prone to biting, and if handled will often
excrete a foul-smelling musk. When threatened, they
flatten and appear to have white spots.

REPRODUCTION: Elements of the mole

kingsnake's reproduction corresponds, in part, to
the general colubrid mating pattern. Egg laying
has been reported in June through July, with
clutch sizes ranging from 6 - 17 eggs.

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 WORM
SNAKE
CARPHOPHIS

DESCRIPTION: Adult specimens of the speckled

kingsnake, L. g. holbrooki, are the smallest race at 91.5
cm (36.0 in) in snout-to-vent length (SVL) on average,
while L. g. getula is the largest at 107 cm (42 in) SVL on
average. Specimens up to 208.2 cm (82.0 in) in total
length (including tail) have been recorded.[8] Weight
can vary from 285 g (10.1 oz) in a small specimen of
87.2 cm (34.3 in) in total length, to 2,268 g (80.0 oz) in
large specimens, of over 153 cm (60 in) in total length.
The color pattern consists of a glossy black, blue-
black, or dark brown ground color overlaid with a
series of 23-52 white chain-like rings.[5][10]
Kingsnakes from the coastal plains have wider bands,
while those found in mountainous areas have thinner
bands or may be completely black.

REPRODUCTION: L. getula is oviparous. Adult females

lay up to several dozen eggs that hatch after 2.0-2.5 EASTERN KINGSNAKE
months of incubation. Hatchlings are brightly colored
and feed on small snakes, lizards, and rodents.
Eastern Kingsnakes (L. g. getula) are active from April–
October in most parts of their habitat range and
breeding occurs in the spring months. Neck-biting is a
common behavior when mating.

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 WORM
SNAKE
CARPHOPHIS

DIET: L. getula eats other snakes, including

venomous snakes such as copperheads (Agkistrodon
contortrix), which are responsible for more
venomous snakebites than any other in the United
States, as well as coral snakes (Micruroides and
Micrurus), massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus), and
other rattlesnakes (Crotalus and Sistrurus). Among
the non-venomous snakes preyed upon include
common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis),
common watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon), ring-
necked snakes (Diadophis punctatus), smooth earth
snakes (Virginia valeriae), and worm snakes
(Carphophis amoenus).
It has developed a hunting technique to avoid being
bitten by clamping down on the jaws of the
venomous prey, but even if envenomated, it is
immune. It also eats amphibians, turtle eggs, bird
eggs (including those of the northern bobwhite EASTERN KINGSNAKE
[Colinus virginianus]), lizards (such as five-lined
skinks [Plestiodon fasciatus]), and small mammals
(such as white-footed mice [Peromyscus leucopus]),
[15] which it kills by constriction.
Due to their diet of eating other snake species,
kingsnakes are a key factor in the spread of
ophidiomycosis. This is a relatively new snake fungal
disease originating from the fungus, Ophidiomyces
ophiodiicola. This disease has a variety of impacts on
snakes and the extent of this impact is still being
researched.

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 MILK
SNAKE
LAMPROPELTIS TRIANGULUM

DESCRIPTION: There is a significant amount of

variation among milk snakes in terms of size.
Depending on subspecies, they can be as small
as 14" (36cm) or as large as 72" (183cm) long.
Adults in the wild apparently average from 38 to
225 g (1.3 to 7.9 oz) in North America. However,
unusually large milk snakes can become rather
bulkier than average-sized adults and potentially
weigh up to 750 to 1,400 g (1.65 to 3.09 lb),
though high weights as such are generally
reported from captivity. Males typically are larger
than females in maturity, although females can
be bulkier than males similar in length as well.
Generally more tropical populations, from
Mexico and further south, reach larger adult sizes
than milk snakes living in the temperate zones.

BEHAVIOR: Milk snakes are mostly nocturnal,

especially during the summer months. They are
primarily terrestrial and attempt to blend in with
the ground litter. However, they are able to climb
and swim. These snakes tend to be secretive and MILK SNAKE
remain hidden. When threatened, a milk snake
will usually first try to escape. If cornered or
harassed, it may vibrate its tail and strike
energetically, though of course they are non-
venomous, have only tiny teeth and their tails
lack a rattle. Unless frightened, milk snakes move
slowly. They are often fairly docile.

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 MILK
SNAKE
LAMPROPELTIS TRIANGULUM

REPRODUCTION: Milk snakes are oviparous,

laying an average of about 10 eggs per clutch,
although that number may vary by region. The
milk snake mates from early May to late June. In
June and July, the female lays three to 24 eggs
beneath logs, boards, rocks, and rotting
vegetation. The eggs are oval in shape, and white
in color. Eggs range from 2.5 cm to 4.2 cm (1 to 1.7
in) in length. The eggs incubate for about two
months, and hatch around August or September.
[18] The average hatchling in Virginia measures
20.9 cm (8.2 in) in total length and weighs 4.1 g
(0.14 oz).

DIET: Young milk snakes typically eat crickets

and other insects, slugs, and earthworms; in the
western U.S., juveniles also feed on small lizards
and other young snakes. Adults' diet is primarily
small mammals, but frequently includes lizards
(especially skinks). They are also known to eat
birds and their eggs, frogs, fish, and other snakes
(including venomous species like coral snakes MILK SNAKE
and rattlesnakes) and their eggs. Milk snakes are
much more opportunistic eaters than the fox
snake or corn snake. Although the diet of adult
milk snakes primarily consists of rodents (such as
voles, mice, and rats), they also have been known
to consume a variety of other animals: birds and
their eggs, other reptiles, amphibians, and
invertebrates.

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 SCARLET
KINGSNAKE
LAMPROPELTIS TRIANGULUM ELAPSOIDES

DESCRIPTION: Scarlet kingsnakes have a

tricolored pattern of black, red, white, and
various shades of yellow bands that appear to
mimic the venomous coral snake in a form of
Batesian mimicry. A method to help differentiate
between venomous and non-venomous tricolor
snakes in North America is found in the popular
phrases "red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black,
venom lack", "red on yellow's a deadly fellow;
yellow on black's a friendly Jack", "if red touches
yellow, you're a dead fellow; if red touches black,
you're all right, Jack", and "red and black is a
friend of Jack" as well as "red on black, friend of
Jack; red on yellow, kill a fellow" and "red band
near black, venom lack; red band near yellow,
bite a fellow". For tri-colored snakes found east of
the Mississippi River, all of these phrases can be
replaced with the simple phrase, "Red face, I'm
safe", in reference to the red snout of scarlet
kingsnakes as opposed to the prominent black
snout of the eastern coral snake (Micrurus
fulvius).

REPRODUCTION: The scarlet kingsnake is SCARLET KINGSNAKE

polygynadreous. Their breeding season is March-
June, and females have multiple egg clutches
that incubate for 40-65 days.

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COACHWHIP
MASTICOPHIS FLAGELLUM

DESCRIPTION: Coachwhips are thin-bodied snakes with

small heads and large eyes with round pupils. They vary
greatly in color, but most reflect a proper camouflage
for their natural habitat. M. f. testaceus is typically a
shade of light brown with darker brown flecking, but in
the western area of Texas, where the soil color is a shade
of pink, the coachwhips are also pink in color. M. f.
piceus was given its common name because specimens
frequently, but not always, have some red in their
coloration. Coachwhip scales are patterned so at first
glance, the snake appears braided. Subspecies can be
difficult to distinguish in areas where their ranges
overlap. Adult sizes of 127–183 cm (50–72 in) in total
length (including tail) are common. The record sized JUVENILE WESTERN COACHWHIP
specimen, of the eastern coachwhip race, was 259 cm
(102 in) in total length. Young specimens, mostly just
over 100 cm (40 in) in length, were found to have
weighed 180 to 675 g (6+1⁄2 to 24 oz), whereas good-sized
mature adults measuring 163 to 235 cm (64 to 93 in)
weighed 1.2 to 1.8 kg (2 lb 10 oz to 3 lb 15 oz).

BEHAVIOR: Coachwhips are diurnal, and actively hunt and

eat lizards, small birds, and rodents. Coachwhips subdue prey
by grasping and holding them with their jaws and do not use
constriction. They tend to be sensitive to potential threats,
and often bolt at the first sign of one, and will readily strike if
cornered. Their bites can be painful, but generally are
harmless unless they become infected, as is the case with any
wound. They are curious snakes with good eyesight and are
sometimes seen raising their heads above the level of the
grass or rocks to see what is around them. They are extremely
fast-moving snakes, able to move up to 4 miles per hour.

EASTERN COACHWHIP
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 REDBELLY
WATER SNAKE
NERODIA ERYTHROGASTER

DESCRIPTION: The plain-bellied water snake is a large,

thick-bodied, solid-colored snake. Subspecies can be
brown, gray, olive green, greenish-gray, and black in color.
Some lighter-colored snakes display dark dorsal blotches.
This snake can be distinguished from other water snakes
by its plain, unmarked underside varying in color from
red to yellow. It gets its common name because it has no
marking on its underside. Its scientific name
erythrogaster comes from the Greek word “erythros”
meaning red and “gaster” meaning belly. This species
exhibits geographically defined phenotypic variation
which results in a number of different subspecies. Adults
vary in size from 24 to 40 inches (76–122 cm) in total
length. Juvenile snakes have banding patterns similar to
banded water snakes, but can be identified by their
unmarked bellies.
PLAIN-BELLIED WATER SNAKE

BEHAVIOR & DIET: Plain-bellied water snakes are active in the warmest months of the year. During the
hottest months of summer, they will be active both during the day and at night. In warmer months, they are
typically found basking on logs or near bodies of water, swimming, or traveling over land. During hot, humid
weather, they will travel long distances away from water. They tend to spend more time in terrestrial habitat
than other water snake species. They hibernate during the coldest months of the winter. The species gets
most of its food from the water. They feed primarily on fish, crayfish, other crustaceans, salamanders, frogs,
and carrion. Because of the amount of time they spend on land, the snake's diet includes a large quantity of
amphibians. Like most other snakes, it will hunt for prey, but this species has been observed submerged in
water sources waiting for prey to approach them. They apprehend and swallow prey alive without using
constriction.

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 REDBELLY
WATER SNAKE
NERODIA ERYTHROGASTER

REPRODUCTION: This species bears live young

(ovoviviparous) like other North American water
snakes and garter snakes. The snake breeds from
April until mid-June in the southeast U.S. The
female gives birth during the months from
August to September. Large broods have been
observed, but a typical litter size is around
eighteen. One female was observed with a litter
of fifty-five hatchlings in North Carolina.[6] In
2014 a captive female produced two healthy
offspring via parthenogenesis.

PLAIN-BELLIED WATER SNAKE

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 BANDED
WATER SNAKE
NERODIA FASCIATA

DESCRIPTION: Adults of the banded water snake

measure from 61.0 to 107 cm (24.0 to 42.1 in) in total
length, with a record size (in the Florida subspecies) of
158.8 cm (62.5 in) in total length. In one study, the
average body mass of adult banded water snakes was
464.3 g (16.38 oz). It is typically gray, greenish-gray, or
brown in color, with dark crossbanding. Many
specimens are so dark in color that their patterning is
barely discernible. The ventrum (belly) is typically off-
white to white. They have flat heads and are fairly
heavy-bodied. Banded water snakes may also be
identified by a dark stripe that extends from the eye
to the angle of the jaw. If irritated, they release a foul-
smelling musk to deter predators.[citation needed]
This species also exhibits sexual dimorphism in which
the female is generally longer and heavier than the
male. Their appearance leads them to be frequently
mistaken for other snakes with which they share a
habitat, including the venomous cottonmouth. BANDED WATER SNAKE

REPRODUCTION: The species is viviparous, giving birth to live young.[18] The brood size varies from 15 to 20
young born in late July or August. Newborns are 200–240 mm (about 8.0–9.5 in) in total length.[19] The banded
water snake is able to hybridize with the common watersnake, although this is not frequent. Physical
characteristics are insufficient to distinguish such hybrids, and DNA analysis is required.

DIET: The species prey mainly on fish and frogs. On occasion, they prey on small turtles, small snakes, birds,
earthworms, and crayfish. Juveniles mainly consume fish and shift towards eating frogs as adults. This shift may
be caused by large frogs being mechanically too difficult for juveniles to consume (which may suggest juveniles
may be unable to open their jaws wide enough for adult frogs), because large frogs are energetically too costly
for juveniles to catch, or because juveniles are at risk if swallowing prey requires a long time. Using its
vomeronasal organ, also called Jacobson's organ, the snake can detect parvalbumins in the cutaneous mucus of
its prey.
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GREEN WATER
SNAKE
NERODIA FLORIDANA

DESCRIPTION: N. cyclopion differs from most other species of

North American water snakes by having one or more small
scales under the eye, giving the appearance of a ring of small
plates around the eye, a character shared only with the
species N. floridana. A heavy-bodied snake, N. cyclopion is
dark green, olive, or brown dorsally. Ventrally, it is yellowish on
the anterior third, and the on remainder dark brown with
yellow or white semicircles.

REPRODUCTION: The green water snake is ovoviviparous.

Mating takes place on land in April. The young are born in July
or August, and are about 25 cm (10 in) long. Brood size varies
from 7 to 101, depending on the size of the female. The
females, which are larger than the males and have two more GREEN WATER SNAKE
dorsal scale rows, may weigh over 4.1 kg (9 lb).

DIET: The green water snake preys upon crayfish,

frogs, and fish.

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 NORTHERN
WATER SNAKE
NERODIA SIPEDON

DESCRIPTION: The common watersnake can grow up to 135

cm (4 ft 5 in) in total length (including tail).[6] Per one study,
the average total length of females was 81.4 cm (2 ft 8 in),
while that of males was 69.6 cm (2 ft 3+1⁄2 in).[7] From known
studies of this species in the wild, adult females can weigh
between 159 and 408 g (5+1⁄2 and 14+1⁄2 oz) typically, while the
smaller male can range from 80.8 to 151 g (2+7⁄8 to 5+3⁄8 oz). The
largest females can weigh up to 560 g (20 oz) while the
largest males can scale 370 g (13 oz). N. sipedon can be
brown, gray, reddish, or brownish-black. It has dark
crossbands on the neck and dark blotches on the rest of the
body, often leading to misidentification as a cottonmouth or
copperhead by novices. As N. sipedon ages, the color darkens,
and the pattern becomes obscure. Some individuals become
almost completely black. The belly also varies in color. It can
be white, yellow, or gray; usually, it also has reddish or black COMMON WATERSNAKE
crescents.

BEHAVIOR: N. sipedon is active during the day and at night. It is most often seen basking on rocks, stumps,
or brush. During the day, it hunts among plants at the water's edge, looking for small fish, tadpoles, frogs,
worms, leeches, crayfish, large insects, salamanders, other snakes, turtles, small birds, and mammals. At
night, it concentrates on minnows and other small fish resting in shallow water. It hunts using smell and
sight. The Lake Erie watersnake subspecies, N. s. insularum, was once endangered, but now benefits from
the introduction of the round goby, an invasive species, which constitutes up to 90% of its diet. The
common watersnake is common over most of its range and is frequently seen basking on stream banks,
from which it dives into the water at the slightest disturbance. It is quick to flee from danger, but if
cornered or captured, it usually does not hesitate to defend itself. Larger specimens can inflict a painful
bite.

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 BROWN
WATER SNAKE
NERODIA TAXISPILOTA

DESCRIPTION: The brown water snake is very

heavy-bodied, and its neck is distinctly narrower
than its head. Dorsally, it is brown or rusty brown
with a row of about 25 black or dark brown,
square blotches down its back. Smaller similar
blotches alternate on the sides. Ventrally, it is
yellow, heavily marked with black or dark brown.
Dorsal scales are in 27-33 rows (more than any
other North American water snake), and it has
two to four anterior temporals (usually one in
others). Adults measure 30–60 in. (76–152 cm) in
total length; record 69 in. (175 cm).
BROWN WATER SNAKE
REPRODUCTION: N. taxispilota is ovoviviparous.
Mating takes place in the spring on land or on
tree branches. On average, adult females are
larger than adult males. The young are born
alive, usually in August, in broods of 14–58, more
commonly 30–40. The newborns are 7-10¾ in (18–
27 cm) long, with males longer than females,
opposite of adults.

BROWN WATER SNAKE

(NERODIA TAXISPILOTA)
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 ROUGH
GREEN SNAKE
OPHEODRYS AESTIVUS

DESCRIPTION: The rough green snake (Opheodrys

aestivus) is bright green above and has a yellowish belly,
affording it excellent camouflage in green vegetation and
making them difficult to see in the wild even though they
are relatively common in their habitat. It has keeled dorsal
scales, which are arranged in 17 rows at mid-body. It
grows up to 116 cm (45+3⁄4 in) in total length (including tail)
and is very thin.
HABITAT & BEHAVIOR: The preferred habitat of O. aestivus
is moist meadows and woodlands, often near water. It is
highly arboreal, frequently found climbing in low
vegetation, and is also a good swimmer. However, it is OPHEODRYS AESTIVUS
often found on the ground as well. Unlike many snakes, it
is largely diurnal. At night it is found coiled in the branches ROUGH GREEN SNAKE
of trees. Preference is given to perches based upon
distance from the shoreline, height of branches, and
thickness of the individual branch.

DIET: The diet of O. aestivus consists mostly of insects and other

terrestrial arthropods, but some snails and tree frogs are eaten as
well. This snake is not a constrictor; most prey are grabbed and
simply swallowed alive. O. aestivus has been shown to rely
heavily on visual cues for prey detection and to prefer living prey
items. As foraging activity increases, the tongue evolves greater
elongation and deeper forking, and the abundance of
chemoreceptors increases in the vomeronasal organs, the
chemosenory responsiveness is adjusted to match diet and
orthopterans constitute 16.9% and arthropods about 98% of
dietary volume of the rough green snake. Rough green snakes
exhibit greater chemosensory investigation of chemical cues
from their insect prey than from representatives of several other
taxa because of the linked importance of insects to their diet. O. AESTIVUS,
ROUGH GREEN SNAKE
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 ROUGH
GREEN SNAKE
OPHEODRYS AESTIVUS

REPRODUCTION: The male rough green snake reaches

sexual maturity at an age of 2 around 245 mm long. For the
male, plasma androgen levels and the diameter of the
sexual segment of the kidney have a bimodal cycle with
one peak in the spring and the second in late summer.
Spermatogenesis occurs in June, reaching its peak in July
and August. This is a post-nupital cycle.[9] The rough green
snake breeds in spring, and sometimes again in fall.
Courtship behavior expressed by males includes head-
jerking, tail-waving, and chin-rubbing. Males align
copulatory organs with females in an average of 2 minutes
and 45 seconds, and copulation averages 16 minutes and 4
seconds.[10] Females lay 2-14 eggs, occasionally in a
communal nest shared by more than one female. Up to 75 OPHEODRYS AESTIVUS
eggs have been found in one such nest. The nest site varies: ROUGH GREEN SNAKE
under boards, under bark in rotting stumps, in deep mulch,
or under a rock. Hatchlings from spring breeding typically
emerge in August or September, and each is about 18–20
cm (7.1–7.9 in) in total length. Male rough green snakes
reach sexual maturity in two years. At maturity, males begin
storing abundant amounts of sperm in their vas deferens.
They are able to mate in the spring of the next year (year 3
of life).

O. AESTIVUS,
ROUGH GREEN SNAKE
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PINE SNAKE
PITUOPHIS MELANOLEUCUS

DESCRIPTION: Adults of P. melanoleucus are large, growing to

48–90 in (120–230 cm) in total length (including tail) and are
powerfully built. The head is small and somewhat pointed with
an enlarged rostral scale that extends upward between the
internasal scales. Usually, four prefrontal scales are seen. At
midbody are 27-37 rows of keeled dorsal scales. The anal plate is
single. The color pattern consists of a light ground color overlaid
with black, brown, or reddish-brown blotches.

REPRODUCTION: After mating has taken place in spring, clutches P. M. MUGITUS

of three to 24 eggs are laid in June–August. The eggs are FLORIDA PINE SNAKE
deposited in sandy burrows or under large rocks or logs and
hatch after 64–79 days of incubation. The eggs are adherent and
quite large, up to 66 mm (2.6 in) long by 45 mm (1.8 in) wide.
Hatchlings measure 33–45 cm (13–18 in).

FLORIDA PINE SNAKE

CLOSE-UP OF THE HEAD
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 STRIPED
CRAYFISH SNAKE
LIODYTES ALLENI

DESCRIPTION: The striped crayfish snake is of "small

medium" size, 33–50 centimetres (13–20 in) in total
length (including tail), with a heavy body. The stripes
which contribute to its common name are indistinct
and located on the dark dorsal side. The ventral side is
yellow with some dark spots. The dorsal scales, which
are arranged in 19 rows at midbody, are smooth on the
body, with some keeled scales in the anal region. There
is a clear sexual dimorphism with the females being the
larger sex. The striped crayfish snake is very similar to
the glossy crayfish snake (Liodytes rigida rigida), but has
one row of spots on the underside, whereas the glossy
crayfish snake has two spots.
STRIPED CRAYFISH SNAKE

BEHAVIOR & DIET: The striped crayfish snake is active throughout the year except for the coldest
months of winter. When active, it typically can be found among the roots of aquatic vegetation, and on
land beneath logs or organic litter. It is active in still water during the day and probably at night. On cool
days, it finds sunny areas on land to bask. The striped crayfish snake feeds primarily on crayfish. It uses
its coils to hold its prey while consuming it alive. Its teeth are small and very sharp, allowing it to grab
and hold the hard outer covering of the crayfish. It typically swallows the crustacean tail first. Juveniles
feed on insect larvae, most commonly the larvae of dragonflies and shrimp.

REPRODUCTION: There is very little known about the reproduction of the striped crayfish snake. Adults
probably mate during the spring season, and the young are born alive during the late summer or autumn.
Brood size is from four to twelve neonates. Larger snakes usually produce more young than smaller
snakes.

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 GLOSSY
CRAYFISH SNAKE
REGINA RIGIDA

DESCRIPTION: Adults of L. rigida are on average 16 inches

(about 41 cm) in total length (including tail), and are
heavy-bodied.[4] The maximum recorded total length
for this species is 31+3⁄8 inches (80 cm).
L. rigida is olive brown dorsally. Additionally, two
blackish dorsal stripes may or may not be present. The
upper lips (labial scales) are yellow. Ventrally, it is yellow
with two parallel series of black spots, which merge
anteriorly into a single series. The ventral surface of the
tail may have a median black line, or it may be
unmarked.
The dorsal scales are arranged in 19 rows at midbody.
They are strongly keeled, except for the first two rows.
The first row (adjacent to the ventrals) is smooth, and the
second row is weakly keeled. The ventrals number 132- GULF CRAYFISH SNAKE
142. The anal plate is divided. The subcaudals number 51- (LIODYTES R. SINICOLA)
71, and are divided.

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 QUEEN
SNAKE
REGINA SEPTEMVITTATA

APPEARANCE: The queen snake is similar in appearance to a

garter snake, genus Thamnophis, so is often confused with that
group. The queen snake is olive to gray or dark brown in overall
coloration, with peach or yellow stripes that run down its length
at the first scale row. There are also four prominent ventral
stripes of a darker color, and as no other similar species have
stripes running down the length of its belly, this is an important
feature in identifying this snake. In the young and juvenile
snakes, there are three extra stripes: one stripe that runs along
the vertebral dorsal scales, and two stripes (one on each side)
that run down the length of the body at scale rows five and six.
These extra stripes tend to fade as the snake matures, but when
young the snake will have a total of seven stripes, three on the
back and four on the belly, which gives cause for its taxonomical
reference name, Regina (queen) septemvittata (seven-striped).
The belly of the snake is a cream-to-yellow color. The head of the
queen snake is narrow and has nine large plate-like scales on QUEEN SNAKE
the top, and the chin has several rows of thicker scales. This is a
protective adaptation, for the snake's feeding habit of chasing
its prey under rocks. The pupil of the eye is round, a feature
shared with most other colubrids.
There are 19 rows of keeled dorsal scales at midbody, and the
anal plate is divided. The sexes are often difficult to distinguish
based on external characteristics. Male queen snakes have
relatively longer tails than females. Males have from 65 to 89
subcaudal scutes (average 76), with the tail from 23% to 34% of
the snake's total length. Females have 54 to 87 subcaudals
(average 69), with tails equal to 19% to 27% of total length.
Queen snakes are not large, and they seldom grow to more than
24 inches (61 cm) in total length (including tail). The females are VENTRAL SURFACE
generally slightly larger than the males.
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 QUEEN
SNAKE
REGINA SEPTEMVITTATA

REPRODUCTION: Female queen snakes will be fully sexually

mature at three years of age, and males at two years. Breeding
takes place in the spring and autumn months. If mating was in
the autumn, the female can delay giving birth until spring,
storing the energy she will need through the months that she
will be in a period of brumation. This snake is ovoviviparous, the
female giving birth to live young after carrying the eggs within
her body. This differs from oviparous and viviparous snakes.
Litter size can vary from 5 to 20, and the time for an individual
birth is from 1.5 to 2.5 minutes. The time between individual
births is 4 minutes to 1 hour, with the average time being 11
minutes. The newly born snakes will be approximately 6 in (15
cm) long and weigh 0.1 ounces (2.8 g). Newborn snakes begin to
grow very rapidly and may shed their skin twice in their first
week while living on the nutrient rich yolk stores they preserve
through this time in their lives. The baby snakes are able to swim QUEEN SNAKE
and move about and they must fend for themselves
independently directly after birth. Juvenile queen snakes range
from 17.5 to 23 cm (6.9 to 9.1 in) in length.

DIET: Queen snakes are described as dietary specialists, feeding

primarily on crayfish. They have been documented favoring
crayfish that are freshly molted. R. septemvittata are especially
sensitive to a chemical compound called ecdysone that is
produced by crayfish during their molting cycle which help
them find that prey easier. One study done offered crayfish
during their molting cycle and crayfish not on their molting
cycle to queen snakes to see which they preferred. The results
showed that the queen snakes would not eat the prey if it was
not releasing ecdysone. If none of these prey can be found, VENTRAL SURFACE
queen snakes will resort to eating small fish.
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PINE WOOD
SNAKE
RHADINAEA FLAVILATA

DESCRIPTION: R. flavilata is a small reddish brown to

yellowish brown or dark orange snake with a whitish to
yellowish, unmarked underside. A dark stripe runs through
the eye. A light stripe may be present along the middle of
the back. The upper labial scales (lip scales) are a whitish or
pale yellow color which led to its other common name, the
yellow-lipped snake. Pine woods snakes average between
10 and 13 inches (25–33 cm) in total length (including tail) at
adult size.

BEHAVIOR & DIET: Because many R. flavilata are found in

warm coastal areas, they are active for most of the year.
They will hibernate underground or in logs in cold winter
conditions. There is little information about the diet of the R.
flavilata. Captive species prey on small frogs, salamanders
and small lizards.
PINE WOODS SNAKE
REPRODUCTION: Pine woods snakes lay eggs. There is little
known information about reproduction. Mating probably
occurs in the spring and one to four eggs are laid during the
summer months. Some females lay two clutches of eggs
each year. The incubation period is six to eight weeks.

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BLACKSWAMP
SNAKE
SEMINATRIX PYGAEA

DESCRIPTION: The black swamp snake is a small, thin

snake, usually 25–38 cm (10–15 in) long (including tail);
the record size is 55 cm (22 in). It is uniformly black on
the dorsum, with a bright orange or red belly.

BEHAVIOR: The black swamp snake is almost entirely

aquatic. It spends most of its time hiding among
dense vegetation in tannic cypress swamps.

REPRODUCTION: The black swamp snake is BLACKSWAMP SNAKE

ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young directly in
shallow water. Unlike many snakes, females feed
actively while gravid, suggesting that they may pass
nutrients directly on to the young. Broods of 11 to 13
have been observed. Newborns are 11–14 cm (4¼-5⅜ in)
long (including tail).

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 BROWN
SNAKE
STORERIA DEKAYI

DESCRIPTION: Dorsally, S. dekayi is brown to gray with a

lighter center stripe bordered by small black spots;
ventrally, it is lighter brown or pink with small black dots at
the ends of the ventral scales. Adults usually measure less
than 12 inches (30 cm) in total length (including tail), but
the record total length is 19+3⁄8 inches (49 cm). The dorsal
scales are keeled, and it has no loreal scale.

REPRODUCTION: Like other natricine snakes such as water

snakes (genus Nerodia) and garter snakes (genus
Thamnophis), S. dekayi is a viviparous species, giving birth to
live young. Sexual maturity is reached at two to three years.
Mating takes place in the spring, after snakes emerge from
brumation. Between 3 and 41 young are born in late summer.
DEKAY'S BROWN SNAKE

DIET: S. dekayi primarily feeds on slugs, snails, and earthworms. In the southern extent of its region, the
snake usually preys predominantly on earthworms, however in the northern reaches of its range slugs are
the predominant food source.[14] It has specialized jaws that allow it to remove snails from their shells for
consumption.[10] Reports of other invertebrates (such as woodlice, mites, or millipedes) in the diet of S.
dekayi are more than likely the result of accidental ingestion rather than intentional feeding, in which one
of these invertebrates may have adhered to a slug or other prey item being consumed.

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RED-BELLIED
SNAKE
STORERIA OCCIPITOMACULATA

DESCRIPTION: S. occipitomaculata is a small

woodland species that ranges from 4–10 in (10-25
cm) long. Their colors range from orange to gray,
black, or brown. They can be distinguished from
other species by their bright red or orange
underbelly.

REPRODUCTION: Redbelly snakes have been studied

to reproduce annually and females have been found to
be gravid during the spring and early summer.
While body size varies throughout the redbelly snake's
region, the average clutch size tends to remain the
same with an average of 7-9 eggs per clutch. Redbelly REDBELLY SNAKE
snakes begin mating at around two years of age and
must be a minimum of 22 cm in order to reach sexual
maturity.

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 SOUTHEASTERN
CROWNED SNAKE
TANTILLA CORONATA

DESCRIPTION: T. coronata is a small, slender snake,

greyish-brown or solid light brown in color. It has a black,
pointed head with a yellowish or cream band between the
head and the neck. This is followed by a black collar 3 to 5
scales wide. The remainder of the back is reddish brown.
The belly is light pink or solid white.[3] It has smooth
dorsal scales in 15 rows and a divided anal plate. Adults
average 20–25 cm (8-10 inches) in total length.

BEHAVIOR & DIET: The snake is active during the day

during the warmer months of the year, and can be found
underneath rocks, logs and organic litter. It hibernates
during the coldest months of winter, but is active beneath
organic litter on warm winter days. The snake travels TANTILLA CORONATA IN FLORIDA
overland at night, generally during the hours of early
evening. It is considered a skilled burrower in sandy soil,
and appears to "swim" in the sand when attempting to
escape capture.

The snake feeds on several kinds of small prey, including termites, worms, centipedes, and earth-dwelling
insect larvae. and spiders In the back of the snake's jaw are small, chiseled fangs that are used to inject
venom into their prey. All crowned snakes are assumed to be non-venomous to humans.

REPRODUCTION: The southeastern crown snake is oviparous, generally laying 1-3 eggs per clutch. Mating
occurs in the months from spring through fall. Females that mate in the fall store sperm until the
following spring. Females lay their eggs typically in June and July. The eggs hatch in the fall.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA
CROWNED SNAKE
TANTILLA RELICTA

DESCRIPTION: Florida crowned snake is a small, 7-9 inch (17-22

cm), slender snake that is tan, light brown, or reddish brown in
color. It has a brown-black head, chin, and parts of the neck.
Some individuals have a pattern on the head of a pale band. The
band marking may be absent in individuals from north-central
Florida. It can also have a dark neckband. The underside can be
white, pink, or whitish-yellow. The maximum recorded total
length of the species is 24 cm (9.5 in). The nose may be cream-
tan in color in populations found along the Atlantic Coast.

BEHAVIOR & DIET: The snake is most active in the warmest

months of the year. During the winter, Florida crowned snake
spends the majority of its time burrowed in loose, sandy soils, FLORIDA CROWNED SNAKE
including mounds created by burrowing animals. They also will
hide under rocks or organic litter. They are rarely seen out in the
open. They have been observed occupying pocket gopher and
gopher tortoise burrows. Diet includes worms, snails, spiders,
insects, and their larvae. The snake has been observed eating
beetle larvae. The populations found primarily in Florida have
very large rear teeth that possibly direct venom into their prey.
The species is harmless to humans.

REPRODUCTION: Very little is known about the reproduction of

the Florida crowned snake. The species lays elongated eggs. It is
believed that its reproduction is probably similar to the genus
Tantilla. It is assumed that the snake lays its eggs from late
spring to August.
FLORIDA CROWNED SNAKE IN
CENTRAL FLORIDA

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 EASTERN
RIBBON SNAKE
THAMNOPHIS SAURITUS

DESCRIPTION: The eastern ribbon snake gets its name from its
very thin body. At maturity, it grows to between 18 and 86
centimetres (7.1 and 33.9 in) in length. It is a slender, black snake
with a yellow mid-back stripe and one on each side. A brown
stripe of one or two rows of scales extends onto the sides of the
belly. The rest of the belly is a greenish-white color. It also has
two rows of black spots between the back and side stripes. It
also has a long tail that is about one-third of the length of its
body.
The labial scales around the mouth of the snake are unmarked
and uniformly bright yellow or white. A white or light yellow bar
borders the front of the eyes. Juveniles are colored like adults.
Some aspects of the eastern ribbon snake make it different EASTERN RIBBON SNAKE
from a close relative, the common garter snake. The eastern
ribbon snake has a much thinner body than a common garter
snake, its tail makes up about one-third of its body length, it has
stripes on the third and fourth scale rows and it has pure white
lips and a mark of white color in front of its eyes. It is not
venomous.

BEHAVIOR: T. s. sauritus stays active year around. However, in colder months, the snake may be forced to
hibernate, typically in ant mounds, mole tunnels, crayfish burrows, muskrat lodges, and bank burrows.
Ribbon snakes rarely bite when handled, but they do produce a foul musk from their anal glands when
they feel threatened.

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 EASTERN
RIBBON SNAKE
THAMNOPHIS SAURITUS

REPRODUCTION: Reproduction in eastern ribbon snakes

takes place after they emerge from hibernation in the spring,
in April or May. Mating occasionally takes place in the fall,
but the female will delay fertilization and development until
the next spring. The average gestation period is three
months. The average number of young is around 12 but can
range four to 27. Females give birth in late summer or the
early fall. After birth, no parental care is involved; the young
are left to fend for themselves. Most young reach sexual
maturity after two years, but most usually wait until the third
year.

EASTERN RIBBON SNAKE

DIET: The ribbon snake generally eats small fish, tadpoles, salamanders, small frogs and toads, and
occasionally insects. In some cases, the female has been observed eating her young. The typical time for
snakes to hunt is in the morning or early evening. Once the snake has spotted its prey, it will quickly
slither to catch its prey and swallow it whole.

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 EASTERN
GARTER SNAKE
THAMNOPHIS SIRTALIS

DESCRIPTION: Eastern garter snakes average between 46–66

cm (18–26 in) long. The largest recorded length was 124 cm
(48.7 in) long. Females are typically larger than males. They are
either a greenish, brown, or black color and have a distinct
yellow or white stripe.

REPRODUCTION: Eastern garter snakes are ovoviviparous,

giving birth to live young. Many males may try to mate with
one female, resulting in a "breeding ball". The young are 13–23
cm (5–9 in) long at birth.

DIET: Eastern garter snakes mostly eat toads, frogs, slugs, and
worms, but they will eat almost anything they can overpower. EASTERN GARTER SNAKE

The eastern garter snake is broadly considered non-venomous.

Garter snakes do have a Duvernoy's gland, and the secretion
from the gland may be chewed into prey during bites. The
secretion is noted to cause hemorrhaging in mice and has
produced non-allergic symptoms in at least one bite on a
human.

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 ROUGH
EARTH SNAKE
HALDEA STRIATULA

DESCRIPTION: H. striatula is a small, harmless, secretive, fairly

slender snake, 7–10 inches (18–25 cm) in total length (including
tail). It has a round pupil, weakly keeled dorsal scales, and
usually a divided anal plate. Dorsally, it is brown, gray, or
reddish, and essentially has no pattern. Females are a little
longer and heavier than males, with relatively shorter tails.
Young individuals often have a light band on the neck, which is
normally lost as they mature.
The belly is tan to whitish and is not sharply defined in color
from the back, unlike in the wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus) EASTERN GARTER SNAKE
or the red-bellied snake (Storeria occipitomaculata). Keeled
scales differentiate the rough earth snake from the similar
smooth earth snake (Virginia valeriae), as well as from the
wormsnake. H. striatula is most likely to be confused with De
Kay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi), which is a little larger and
is light brown with dark markings on the back and neck.
Unlike the rough earth snake, De Kay's brown snake retains
these markings into adulthood. Also, S. dekayi has a rounder
snout than H. striatula.

BEHAVIOR: The rough earth snake is not aggressive towards

humans, is not venomous, and is harmless if encountered. ROUGH EARTH SNAKE
Although it has teeth, the rough earth snake does not bite. Its (HALDEA STRIATULA),
response, when harassed, is to remain motionless, or to try to HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
escape. It will defecate and excrete a foul-smelling musk as a
defense mechanism to make itself less palatable to would-be
predators. If necessary, the rough earth snake can be safely
picked up by hand and relocated.

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 ROUGH
EARTH SNAKE
HALDEA STRIATULA

REPRODUCTION: H. striatula is gonochoric. It is also viviparous,

giving birth to 3 to 8 live young in mid-summer. Newborns are
about 10 cm (4 inches) in total length. The young somewhat
resemble the ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus) with a
light-colored neck collar, but they are much drabber and lack a
brightly-colored belly.
Many sources refer to snakes that give birth to live young as
either ovoviviparous or viviparous. In reality, the distinction
between these two terms is not very sharp, and the diversity of EASTERN GARTER SNAKE
reproductive modes is better thought of as a spectrum or
continuum between matrotrophy (embryonic nutrients come
directly from the mother) and lecithotrophy (embryonic
nutrients come mostly or completely from egg yolk). Viviparity
is the most extreme form of matrotrophy, whereas oviparity is
the most extreme form of lecithotrophy.

DIET: H. striatula eats invertebrates. It feeds almost exclusively

on earthworms, although slugs, snails, sow bugs, insect eggs
and larvae have also been found in the stomach.[ H. striatula is
not venomous and does not constrict prey; rather, it swallows
prey without subduing it. The pointed snout of the rough earth ROUGH EARTH SNAKE
snake helps in burrowing in moist soil where prey are found. (HALDEA STRIATULA),
HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS

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 SMOOTH
EARTH SNAKE
VIRGINIA VALERIAE

DESCRIPTION: The following is a description of the scalation of

V. valeriae. Rostral nearly as deep as broad, visible from above;
internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal longer
than broad, shorter than the parietals; loreal one and a half to
two and a half times as long as deep; two or three postoculars;
temporals 1+2; six upper labials, third and fourth entering the
eye; four lower labials in contact with the anterior chin shields,
which are as long as or shorter than the posterior. Dorsal scales SMOOTH EARTH SNAKE
in 15 or 17 rows. Anal divided. Ventrals 111-135; subcaudals 24-37. MADISON COUNTY, IOWA

The following description of coloration of a live specimen (not in alcohol) uses Robert Ridgway's Color
Standards and Color Nomenclature (1912). Dorsally Virginia valeriae is benzo brown, deep brownish drab,
mars brown, or light brownish drab. The first row of dorsal scales is colored like the adjacent ventrals,
which are light vinaceous-fawn, pale vinaceous-fawn, pale grayish vinaceous, or pale vinaceous-pink. The
top of the head is hair brown or like the dorsum, with many dark spots on the plates. The upper labials are
ecru-drab or lighter, some with drab-gray spots. There is a small black ring around the eye. The ventral
surface of the head is white.
Sometimes a faint median light line is present. Also, there may be tiny black spots on the back and sides,
especially in the nominate race (Virginia valeriae valeriae)

BEHAVIOR: Given its lack of sufficient defense mechanisms against larger animals, the smooth earth
snake is generally not aggressive towards humans and is harmless if encountered. While it does have
teeth, the size of the mouth and teeth make any strikes against humans superficial at worst. It may
defecate as a defense mechanism to make itself less palatable to would-be predators. If necessary, it can
be safely picked up by hand and relocated.

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 SMOOTH
EARTH SNAKE
VIRGINIA VALERIAE

REPRODUCTION: V. valeriae bears live young in

August. Brood size is usually fewer than 10. The
total length of a newborn is about 6 cm (about
2.5 in).

DIET: The smooth earth snake eats primarily

earthworms and soft-bodied arthropods. SMOOTH EARTH SNAKE
MADISON COUNTY, IOWA

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