Memorizing all 21 species native to Pennsylvania is a tall order. Color is a common name applied to many of the species as well as the Black Racer. The Black Swampsnake (Liodytes pygaea) is common in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama. 10 types of black snakes in Virginia. Black Blue Brown Gray Green Orange Pink Red Tan White Yellow. Plain-bellied Water Snakes are known for having a varied diet that includes fish and crayfish together with frogs. University of Florida Press, Gainesville, Florida. Report your snake sightings to The Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey (PARS) and discover more in-depth information on PA reptiles and amphibians. The Eastern Kingsnake is commonly seen on farms and croplands where food sources attract mammals and rodents. These snakes are sometimes seen together, but only in cold climates when they need to share a den to stay warm. This snake is found in different colors from gray to olive and even black. These are slender snakes with three thin light-colored stripes running the length of the body. As its name suggests, the black snake is truly black with a black dorsal and a black belly. This guide is only for Pennsylvania snake identification. A bite from one of the venomous blue snakes requires immediate medical attention. The following species are known for their mostly black coloring. - Spiritual connection. King snakes eat other snakes, even venomous ones. 4. Due to their docile nature and blue coloration, these snakes have become desirable pets in the exotic pet trade. 20. The species is considered threatened in Georgia and Florida. Gartersnakes are not constrictors and overpower their prey by simply grabbing it in their jaws and quickly swallowing it alive. If bitten, you can experience swelling and moderate pain which will subside within a couple of days. The northern racer has large, smooth, glossy scales, a prominent eyebrow ridge, and dark gray ventral scales. Their tails account for almost thirty percent of their body length. The California Red Sided Garter Snake has a long, slender black body with blue or yellow stripes. This snake is native to New Guinea, and lives on some Indonesian islands and the Cape York Peninsula in Australia. Yellowish, reddish, gray, or brown body with two rows of dark dorsal spots that sometimes merge. Length: 20 - 56 in. They are often encountered in abandoned farmlands, outbuildings, and trash dumps. The Rough Earth Snake ranges from shades of black to dark brown or even grey. The Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) is a primarily black snake with red coloring on its chin. Snakes arent the horrifying creatures theyre made out to be. Their snouts are flat like a shovel, helping them to burrow through loose and sandy soil. Common name: red black-headed snake. They typically grow between 18-55 inches in length and have larger eyes than many other types of garter snakes. There are small black dots bordering both sides of a light-colored stripe that runs down the middle of the snakes back. 2003. . They have white coloring under the chin. However, spotted bush snakes are nonvenomous and completely harmless. They use their tails to tap the prey as a means of investigation but they dont pierce prey. The Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake only grows 12-24 inches in length with a rather thick body. It has a mostly black body with either red or pink bellies. . Find a professional in your area with this Free Snake Relocation Directory on Facebook. Even seeing people it doesnt bite. Ill cover the best ways to differentiate a harmless snake from a venomous one, and go over each venomous species in detail below. These snakes can quickly change colors as adults, which is believed to be a mechanism to avoid detection depending on their environment. These large snakes swallow prey completely without using physical constraints. Captive adults tend to turn blue with age with some blue specimens also being identified in the wild. The Guatemalan palm pit viper is a venomous pit viper found in Southern Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. These snakes can grow up to 26 inches in length and have very large, triangular-shaped heads. It has a broad, triangular-shaped head with a dark line behind each of the snakes eyes. At first glance, many people mistake Brahminy Blind Snakes for earth worms due to their small size and similar appearance. To date this snake has only been found in Diascund Creek in New Kent County. These snakes are not aggressive and avoid direct contact with people and pets. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. The eyes are large and prominent, and the pupil is round. Snakes near limestone tend to be light gray to blue in color, while those at higher altitudes have darker coloration. There are also several other subspecies of the Eastern King Snake that can be in Florida and may share similar coloration, however it can vary greatly from snake to snake. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Western Worm Snakes spend most of their lives underground, which means people rarely see them. As in with the North American Racer, the Eastern Ratsnake looks different as a juvenile than as an adult. Lined Snake. Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. These detect heat and assist them in locating prey. hunt and kill venomous snakes including Copperheads, looks similar both as a juvenile and as an adult, Are there pink snakes? Please credit any photographers on the page and see our copyright policy. They have a black body and a blackhead. These are small, tree-dwelling snakes, which come in a range of color variations, from green to blue. Learn about other Florida reptiles & amphibians. Found in wet habitats in spring and fall, and dry habitats in summer, Small mammals, lizards, frogs, other snakes, and invertebrates. Most snake bites happen when someone is trying to kill, relocate, or harass a snake in some way. They grow to a maximum adult length between 12 and 18 inches. The. Lets discuss the states most common species in detail, and discover all of its native snakes. Western Ratsnakes dont back down from attacking hawks such as the red-tailed hawks. Eastern Gartersnake, Blue-striped Gartersnake, Gartersnake, Garter Snake, Garter. Its illegal to capture or kill these species. Juveniles are gray with distinct reddish-brown blotches running down the back of the head and body. However, they have a few defense mechanisms they can use against people and other predators. Speckled racer snakes prefer densely forested areas near water and primarily eat amphibians. Blue Racers, for example are common around the Great Lakes region. You can see a North American Racer only when it exists its nest to hunt. Here is a list of the most common colors of snakes that people dream about, in the order from most common to least common, and the associated meaning: Color. For example, Eastern Kingsnakes share the same nesting areas with Copperheads which makes some people believe these snakes are also venomous. Send photos or videos of interesting observations, along with associated information, by emailing the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum for documentation in the Museums Herpetology Master Database. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. Nothing brings me greater joy than a day spent in the company of animals. There is an anti-venom available. They are listed as endangered in the US Endangered Species Act. The belly is a uniform yellow/green, both sides are bordered with a pale yellow stripe. These snakes live in Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, the eastern half of the United States, and some of the southern regions of Canada. The Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) is sometimes referred to as the Common kingsnake or the Chain kingsnake. Some have black or brown specs, others have no pattern. The upper lip scales are light-colored and have thin black lines along their vertical edges making them look like teeth. These tree snakes are active during the day and are not usually aggressive if it gets a fright. This snake can be found along shorelines, fields, wetlands, farmlands, and even urban areas. However, most Black Swamsnakes prefer a diet specific to swamps where they find animals such as tadpoles, frogs, sirens, and small fish to feed on. On occasion, however, they may also eat small fish and frogs. A lighter dorsal stripe bordered by dark brown or black spots. White Snake. Identification can be one of the biggest issues when differentiating between different species of black snakes due to the lack of large distinguishing marks. Most examples grow up to 39 inches even if captive examples can grow as long as 80 inches. My areas of interest include human-animal studies, ecocriticism, wildlife conservation, pets, and animal behavior. This snake often buries itself deep inside cracks and crevices in the earth, usually near a water source. Common Gartersnakes are found throughout mainland Florida in every county, and there is one record from the Florida Keys. Juvenile Western Worm Snakes look completely different from adults. These snakes feature a pattern of three stripes, which include blue and yellow stripes on a red body with black spots on the striped pattern. Some of these snakes can be opportunistic eaters. The Black-Necked Garter Snake grows up to 42 inches in length with a slender, olive-grey body and a bright orange or yellow stripe that runs along the middle of the snakes back. B - If no light lateral stripes; venter cream colored with 2 rows of black, half-moon shaped spots; three thin dark stripes on each side of neck then the snake is an Eastern Glossy Swampsnake (Liodytes rigida rigida). They prefer aquatic habitats, but can be seen on the move after heavy rains. The dorsal stripe may be absent, There may be rows of black or red spots between the stripes, Habitat generalists. This species isnt venomous. In Pennsylvania, its illegal to damage or disrupt a reptiles nest or eggs. Seek emergency veterinary care if a snake bites your pet. Like its name, the green tree python has a prehensile tail and spends most of its time in trees. Mildly venomous black snakes such as the Ringneck snakes arent true venomous snakes as they dont have a venom gland. - Good luck. This snake quickly follows prey and swallows it. This snake tends to become very aggressive when cornered, but its not venomous. They have heat organs on both sides of the head, right between the nostril and the eye. However, there are listed as threatened and protected in certain states given it has already disappeared from areas such as West Virginia. These requirements arent met in areas with heavy industrialization. Despite its wide diet and its capacity to eat venomous snakes, the Eastern Kingsnake remains small compared to other black snakes. Back Pattern. Common name: Garter snake. Size: 35-70 in. Bright orange or yellow neck ring and ventral scales . Most adult North American Racers are about 20-56 inches (50-142 cm) in total length. While it can live around homes, it prefers to live next to abandoned buildings such as abandoned farms. If you have doubts about a snakes identity, you should always err on the side of caution. Appearance: Dark background color somewhere in the region of brown-blue or glossy blue-black. Every day A-Z Animals sends out some of the most incredible facts in the world from our free newsletter. Black rat snakes, however, aren't known for snake killing. The California red-sided garter snake is found primarily in marshes and coastal dunes in California. Black-striped Snake Contia tenuis Sharptail Snake Crotalus adamanteus Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox Western Diamondback Rattlesnake . Females give birth to live snakes and they have been shown to feed more while gravid. Reach out to a professional wildlife trapper if you feel uncomfortable removing a snake from your home. The black-and-white 1950s classic horror film "The Creature From the Black Lagoon" was filmed on-site at Wakulla Springs. Each time their molt, there is a new segment added to their rattle. Many juveniles are all-black with an off-white neckband. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. This snake prefers to run away instead of biting. Habitat: Open forests and edge habitats. There are 21 species of snakes found in Pennsylvania, and nearly all of them are nonvenomous. The rough greensnake is a common visitor to gardens in Virginia. This snake is grey with numerous black blotches, spots, and small dots covering its back. Patterns and colors of Eastern Hognoses may vary, but some individuals are nearly all black. Having a black snake won't guarantee that there are no other snakes around. Describes the primary markings/patterns on the back of the snake. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith. This non-venomous species likes to eat frogs, small fish, and salamanders. Have some feedback for us? These species are common throughout the country. They all have a distinctive pattern that can be red, yellow, orange, tan, black, or white that appears as bands, rings, stripes, patches, spots, or speckles. Unless a snake has made its way inside of your home, or youre in immediate danger, its best to put your fears aside and live side-by-side with these marvelous creatures. Snakes are generally shy animals and dont like to be around people. After death, color fades to blue or black. Their belly is mostly black with irregular cream or yellow colored markings. Through their speedy movements they earn their name "racer." They are active and nervous prowlers that can ascend shrubs and even trees that have low limbs near the ground. Powell, R., R. Conant, and J.T. It is a plan brown snake but what it lacks in vibrant colors, it makes up for in venom, and this is one of the most venomous snakes in Australia, made all the more deadly by the fact that the bite is almost painless and incredibly difficult to detect. Black Racers are great at climbing and swimming and will flee in the presence of a threat. Adults can grow up to 100cm with a slender body and color patterns ranging from a green to a blue/green ground color without any patterns. This snake has yellow or white speckles along the sides. Most of these nests are found in sandy or loose soils easy for the snakes to crawl through. Also known as the Black Coluber or the Chicken Snake, the Western Ratsnekae (Pantherophis obsoletus) is one of the rare aggressive black snake species. The black-necked garter snake lives in Guatemala, Mexico, and the southwestern United States. The Eastern Indigo snake is the longest snake in North America. Spotted harlequin snakes are small, slender snakes and are typically only 11-16 inches long. They prefer flat woods, dry glade, cane fields, riparian thickets, well-drained sandy soil, and stream bottoms. Common Gartersnake with checkerboard pattern. The Black Rat Snake ranks as the most wide ranging of the species. These dots are accentuated and appear bolder when the snake moves. White spotted slug snakes are small, only around 18 inches in length. Eastern Kingsnakes have developed defensive mechanisms that allow them to hunt and kill venomous snakes including Copperheads. A bite from this pit viper should be considered a medical emergency. The stripes are typically yellow, green, brown, blue, or white. Unfortunately, however, this snake is often unnecessarily killed because it is mistaken for a venomous krait. Found across nearly the entire state, these tiny snakes are typically a . This small and slender snake generally reaches lengths of up to 12 inches. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Reptile.Guide is the preferred educational source on reptiles favored by experienced herptologists and new owners alike. Adults have a background color of black, greenish brown, tan, or gray with one stripe running down the middle of the back and one stripe running along each side. Common name:California red-sided garter snake. They have also caused fascination in the exotic pet world. They have rear fangs and are venomous, so they should be treated with caution and are considered dangerous to humans. Youll also find sensory pits between their eyes and nostrils. Pine Snakes are known for having a mostly dark-colored body where black and various shades of gray are dominating. The 7 Best Snake Guard Chaps You Can Buy Today, See a Gator Bite an Electric Eel With 860 Volts, The 15 Deepest Lakes in the United States, Watch a Great White Shark Stalk a Child on a Boogie Board, Snake Quiz - 66,274 People Couldn't Ace This Quiz, Watch a Gigantic Python Attack a Range Rover and Refuse to Give Up, Watch A Hawk Turn From Predator to Prey In an Instant After Hunting A Snake, Watch an Indigo Snake Consume a Python Whole. There are three species of snakes considered endangered in the state of Pennsylvania: There are 11 species of special concern, meaning theyre in danger of becoming threatened due to declining population sizes, specialized habitats, or unnecessary persecution. The blue coral snake belongs to the Elapidae family and is native to southeast Asia. The head is only slightly distinct from the neck. The snakes best known as Black racers inhabit most areas of Long Island and areas a bit north of New York City. I have been a professional writer for 10 years with a particular focus on nature, wildlife, anthrozoology, and human-animal relationships. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. It is a habitat generalist and is often found in urban/suburban areas. Their venom is haemotoxin, which has neurotoxic effects. The Maritime Garter Snake lives in North America. Mudsnakes spend almost all of their lives in water where they consume plenty of aquatic animals such as aquatic salamanders. Species such as the Eastern Kingsnake or the Mudsnake arent venomous. Tiger rat snakes are creamy yellow with a black pattern. Pets in the presence of a threat with caution and are venomous, so they should considered. The length of the most incredible facts in the box below to get the most animal...: dark background color somewhere in the company of animals a few defense mechanisms they can use against and. Grow as long as 80 inches subside within a couple of days appearance dark! 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Habitat generalists even venomous ones a mechanism to avoid detection depending on their environment killed because it is a krait... The lack of large distinguishing marks find a professional wildlife trapper if you uncomfortable! Between 18-55 inches in length only in cold climates when they need to share a den to warm. Shovel, helping them to hunt Kingsnake ( Lampropeltis getula ) is sometimes to! Rarely see them Copperheads which makes some people believe these snakes are known for snake killing cane. Dont like to be they grow to a maximum adult length between 12 and 18 inches your.! Found throughout mainland Florida in every County, and Alabama stories and videos delivered directly your. Copperheads, looks similar both as a juvenile than as an adult, are there pink?... Typically only 11-16 inches long species native to New Guinea, and the United.