Pine Snake

Range

Found in the extreme southeastern United States, from southern Mississippi to south central Florida to southern North Carolina to western Kentucky and Tennessee. One subspecies is found separately in eastern New Jersey.

Habitats

This species can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, prairies, farmland, brushland, chaparral, and rocky deserts. They prefer well-drained, sandy substrates.

Identification

A long, non-venomous snake with keeled scales that can reach 50-90 inches in length. It has an indistinct neck and narrow head, with an overbite appearance due to the upper mandible extending past the lower mandible. It has relatively large conspicuous nares (nostrils), and an enlarged rostral scale that is raised higher than the surrounding scales. It is typically a light background color with dark irregular splotches or banding.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians