Pine Snake
Pituophis melanoleucus
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 upp…
How to identify
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.
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.
Habitat
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.
Variations
Solid dark brown or black individuals are not uncommon. The light background color can be pale grey to yellowish tan, while the markings are usually dark brown to black. Patterning can be very dense, which makes them look like a dark snake with light speckling.
Similar species
Most likely to confuse with the gopher snake (*Pituophis catenifer*) or eastern ratsnake (*Pantherophis alleghaniensis*).
Name and etymology
Melanoleucus: Greek for black (melaina) and white (leukos).
At a glance
Size
91 to 254 cm
Range
Found in the extreme southeastern United States, from southern Mississippi to south central Florida to southern North Carolin…
Habitat
This species can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, prairies, farmland, brushland, chaparral, and rocky…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap