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. The Keystone State doesnt have the highest diversity of snakes, but youll still find an impressive variety for its northeastern location. Bright orange or yellow neck ring and ventral scales . There are 21 species of snakes found in Pennsylvania, and nearly all of them are nonvenomous. These snakes are secretive, and like their name, are only active at night. However, some individuals may lack stripes. The eastern black racer grows fairly large, up to 73" long. These snakes are hunted by hawks and Kingsnakes among other species. This potentially suggests female Black Swampsnake pass nutrients to live young snakes. An adult Eastern Ratsnake easily measures between 36 and 72 inches. These snakes grow to around 82cm in length with the females being longer than the males. These are small, tree-dwelling snakes, which come in a range of color variations, from green to blue. The yellow spotted wolf snake is nonvenomous and lives in the Western Ghats of India. another black snake species found throughout most of the state. This happens in August or September. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. The California red sided garter snake lives throughout California, but it is an endangered species. Common name:Guatemalan palm-pit viper, Guatemalan tree viper. They are mostly nocturnal, feeding on small birds, lizards, rodents, and frogs. Venomous/Non-Venomous: Non-venomous. Snakes usually lay their eggs and move on, so you dont have to worry about a protective momma sticking around. Typically gray, tan, various shades of brown, or red, Large dark brown or reddish-brown blotches outlined in black run down the back and sides, Various habitats, including forests, farmland, rocky hillsides, and urban areas, Generalists; rodents, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds, and bird eggs. They grow to a maximum length of 11 inches. The snake commonly attacks large prey only when it reaches a length of around 60 inches. 20 Interesting Facts About Burmese Pythons, 18 Types of Butterflies in Arizona (With Pictures), 9 Species Black Snakes in New York (Pictures), The 7 Species of Hawks in Florida (Pictures), Water Snakes in Florida (12 Species With Pictures), Owls in Oregon (See the 15 Different Species), The 5 Best Spotting Scopes For Wildlife Viewing, 6 Types of Millipedes in California (Pictures), 5 Types of Millipedes in Texas (Pictures), Take a Look at 8 Skinks in Texas (Pictures), 6 Species of Skinks You Can Find in South Carolina. They are slow-moving snakes, but are fast to strike. Ford, and R.A. Seigel. It is a habitat generalist and is often found in urban/suburban areas. Negative Theme. There are many different colors of spotted house snakes. These snakes are not aggressive and avoid direct contact with people and pets. A dark checkerboard pattern may be visible along the sides of the body between the back and side stripes. Many desert snakes have neutral, sandy colors, while others have bright and bold patterns that could easily inspire new fashion trends. The Guatemalan palm pit viper is a venomous pit viper found in Southern Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. They have large round heads and heavy bodies, their tails have a rattle, which is made of keratin. Scientific name: Genus thamnophis. When a ringneck snake feels threatened, it curls its body into a large coil and exposes its brightly colored belly. Habitat: A variety of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, marshes, and urban areas . Powell, R., R. Conant, and J.T. Snakes are generally shy animals and dont like to be around people. These are semi-aquatic snakes able to spend a long time both in water and on dry land. These vipers can grow to 105 cm snout to vent. Mudsnakes typically bury themselves in the mud where they practice a waiting game when it comes to praying. This snake can be found along shorelines, fields, wetlands, farmlands, and even urban areas. Common in states such as Texas and Oklahoma, nonvenomous Plain-bellied Water Snakes (Nerodia erythrogaster) are found in various colors from dark olive to all-black. There are three endangered snake species in PA; The Eastern Massasauga, Kirtlands Snake, and Northern Rough Greensnake. Occasionally you may find a snake in your yard or even inside your home. The belly is creamy white to greenish-yellow and is sometimes mottled. For more information, please read our privacy policy. However, most adult snakes arent known for constricting their prey as they prefer to swallow it alive. However, the snakes belly is yellowish or cream colored, with two distinct rows of black dots running down the middle. These snakes live in Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, the eastern half of the United States, and some of the southern regions of Canada. These snakes are a uniform blue/black with some having a red to orange or tan-colored throat, chin, and cheeks. Back Coloring. Racers are noted for eating a diversity of smaller prey items, including smaller snakes, rodents, frogs, lizards and even small turtles. North American Racer. Learn how to safely co-exist with snakes. The Black Swampsnake (Liodytes pygaea) is common in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama. This snake can sometimes be black as a juvenile as well. The California red-sided garters name is a slender snake indigenous to North America. Habitat: Open forests and edge habitats. All but three snakes of Pennsylvania are Colubrids. Scientific name:Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis. The scientific species name of this snake, Margaritiferus, is Latin and means pearl-bearing. The all black body means it can often be confused with the Black Racers. If you take extra precautions and leave snakes alone, theres no need to worry about a bite from these elusive reptiles. The Eastern Indigo snake is the longest snake in North America. They have a pointed snout that helps them to burrow through soil. Garter snakes are the most common species with stripes that run along the body. Adults are black or bluish/black with white or whitish markings on the chin and throat. For example, they vibrate their tails before an attack. In this list, well introduce 11 species of black snakes in Florida. Black snakes are found throughout the US, particularly in states such as Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Arizona. A diminishing natural habitat is the main cause of its dwelling numbers. Tiger rats are one of the largest pet snakes in North and South America and reach an average length of nearly ten feet. The White Spotted Slug Snake is a small, harmless snake with a grey or brown body. It is a stunning snake with sleek black scales. Most bites occur when someone is trying to kill, harass, or relocate a snake. Even seeing people it doesnt bite. Speckled kingsnakes are nonvenomous and grow up to 48 inches in length. The head is a uniform green with the interstitial skin being blue. Types of Black Snakes. As Mudsnakes, the Western Worm snake is also known for pronging its prey with its tail. Night snakes live in North America, from Mexico through the western United States and up through Canadas British Columbia. Two rows of small dark spots run down the snakes back, and more small dark dots cover its body. The Speckled Racer is a glossy black snake with bold and distinct blue and yellow polka dots on each of its scales. Some have black or brown specs, others have no pattern. Eastern Ratsnakes can be identified as almost entirely black bodies. This guide will assist you in learning how to identify the most common, most dangerous, and rarest snakes in Pennsylvania. Eastern Ratsnakes are highly common around homes where they arent afraid to seek shelter since many rodents are attracted to food traces around the house. Fast hunting and fast-moving around characterize the North American Racer. Western Ratsnakes are spotted in various states around the country frequently as they live above the ground. University of Florida Press, Gainesville, Florida. While blue is not a common color for snakes, there are some that have blue, either as a base color or they have blue in their pattern. Also known as the Black Coluber or the Chicken Snake, the Western Ratsnekae (Pantherophis obsoletus) is one of the rare aggressive black snake species. credit: Everglades National Park. The Black Kingsnake is also highly common around floodplains. This snake is almost entirely black. Fortunately, Pennsylvanias most dangerous snakes are closely related and share several distinguishing characteristics. Tail is solid dark brown, gray, or black with a lighter-colored rattle. If grabbed or pinned, they will readily bite the attacker and release a foul-smelling musk from a pair of glands in the base of the tail. It has a small orange or yellow band around its neck, and black and white polka dots along the rest of its body. The rough greensnake is a common visitor to gardens in Virginia. Often found near sources of water and human homes, Amphibians, earthworms, rodents, birds, and fish. Despite its wide diet and its capacity to eat venomous snakes, the Eastern Kingsnake remains small compared to other black snakes. 11 - Harmless White Snake. Garter snake. Indicates whether the snake has a facial pit (only in vipers). Lets discuss the states most common species in detail, and discover all of its native snakes. Snakes play a vital role in Pennsylvanias ecosystem. The coloration of juveniles is similar to adults. Describes the primary markings/patterns on the back of the snake. The ground color is generally black or dark brown. This small snake (10-15 inches) has smooth scales, a glossy black back and a bright orange belly (Figure 2). 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. The snakes best known as Black racers inhabit most areas of Long Island and areas a bit north of New York City. There are three venomous species in Pennsylvania. Common Gartersnake with checkerboard pattern. Western Brown Snake Image Credit: Matt Cornish, Shutterstock. Users are stunned by this $30 Vitamin C serum that brightens skin to reduce lines and fade dark spots and under eye circles - with before and after pictures as proof If you have a particular interest in watching or photographing wildlife, then you should absolutely check out the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Western Ratsnakes dont back down from attacking hawks such as the red-tailed hawks. Unless you consider snake identification one of your stronger skills, it can be difficult to tell certain snakes apart, especially snakes that share similar colors and patterns! Florida Showdown: Who Emerges Victorious in a Burmese Python vs. Crocodile Battle. The head of a pit viper is a well-defined triangle shape due to the location of the venom glands on each side. The average body length of the adults is 36-48 inches. They are tree dwellers and are often encountered in dry monsoon forests. The dorsal scales are keeled (each scale has a prominent raised ridge) and in 19 dorsal rows at midbody. It looks for means of quick escape. Common name:Malabar pit viper, Malabar rock pit viper, rock viper. One of the most commonly seen snakes in all regions of South Carolina, the black racer ( Coluber constrictor) is a shiny, fast-moving snake with a white chin. Their belly is yellowish with black spots. The only exceptions are the eastern copperhead and timber rattlesnake, which still have restrictions. However, they have a few defense mechanisms they can use against people and other predators. As one of the most common snakes in the US, its not difficult to find. Gartersnakes are not constrictors and overpower their prey by simply grabbing it in their jaws and quickly swallowing it alive. Many animals rely on snakes as a source of food, including birds of prey, foxes, turtles, raccoons, and even other snakes. They are opportunistic killers going for a wide range of rodents regardless of their size. Its best to step away from Black Kingsnakes when seeing them out in nature. Common Gartersnake. 1. They are usually spotted in wetlands and grasslands but can be seen in gardens too. The Rough Earth Snake ranges from shades of black to dark brown or even grey. The head is only slightly distinct from the neck. Back Pattern. All blue snakes are venomous, but their venom is not always dangerous to humans. Commonly seen in all-black coloring, this snake can also be found in gray and dark gray with markings coloring. The belly is a uniform yellow/green, both sides are bordered with a pale yellow stripe. Unlike many black snakes, the Eastern Indigo Snake looks similar both as a juvenile and as an adult. The Eastern garter snake is a medium-sized North American snake. This snake is well known for its iconic resting posture: it loops its tail 1-2 times over a tree and rests its head in the middle of this coil-like shape. They typically prefer to live in moist or wet habitats but often travel into dry areas as well. As the name would suggest, the Northern black racer is in fact black. Memorizing all 21 species native to Pennsylvania is a tall order. Mexican specimens may have black dots or flecks or blue patches. These snakes can quickly change colors as adults, which is believed to be a mechanism to avoid detection depending on their environment. 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. Garter snake - black snake with green stripes. The head is darker than the body. Its important to note that some individual snakes may vary in their coloration due to different factors. Snakes often hide in tall grass or under wood, rocks, and debris. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. These snakes also live in forests and wetlands, particularly in warm climates as they like to warm up in the sun during the day. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Further characterization includes smooth boy scales that almost dont look separated from each other. These venomous pit vipers can be distinguished from harmless species in the state by several mutual characteristics: These three species have elliptical-shaped pupils, like a cats eyes, while all nonvenomous snakes in PA have round pupils. The natural world is full of fascinating plants and animals covered in dazzling colors and astonishing designs, especially when it comes to snakes. Snake appearances often vary based on habitat and geographic location. This snake can be brown or light gray, and it has a line running down its dorsal side that is a lighter color. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Commonly these snakes have brownish, tan, cream, or pinkish bodies with dark brown or reddish-brown spots spaced out along their backs. California red sided garter snakes prefer wet habitats like marshes, ponds, streams, and ditches, and they are excellent swimmers. Still have questions about snakes or identifications? The snake is a very good tree climber. Yellowish, reddish, gray, or brown body with two rows of dark dorsal spots that sometimes merge. Black-striped Snake. They are aggressive and will strike if harassed. They grow to 66cm in body length with females being larger than males. This indicates it doesnt use venom for defensive purposes. Most adult Common Gartersnakes are about 18-26 inches (46-66 cm) in total length, with a record length of 54 inches (137.2 cm). Their venom is haemotoxin, which has neurotoxic effects. Youll discover how to co-exist with wild snakes, what to do if you meet one, and who to contact for emergency advice, snake removal, and additional information. This snake is native to New Guinea, and lives on some Indonesian islands and the Cape York Peninsula in Australia. Thank you for reading! Its body is brown, grey, dark green, or reddish in color, with a yellow stripe running down the middle of its back. 13 pink snakes in the world, 16 Types of Birds With Blue Feet (with Pictures), 46 Birds With Blue Heads (Pictures and Distribution), 54 Common Black Birds You May See (with Pictures), 41 Common White Birds You May See (with Pictures). . Positive Theme. Other snakes are black with countless cream-colored polka dots and a bright red stripe on their backs, a series of red spots. Speckled kingsnakes are unique because they can eat venomous snakes like cottonmouths, copperheads, and rattlesnakes. White spotted slug snakes are small, only around 18 inches in length. Every day A-Z Animals sends out some of the most incredible facts in the world from our free newsletter. The maritime garter snake eats small animals like salamanders, small fish, toads, earthworms, frogs, tadpoles, and small rodents. These non-venomous snakes have cream to white colored ventral scales with brilliant blue to gray lateral scales and a brown to dark gray dorsum. The Speckled Kingsnake has a shiny black or dark brown body, with a mass of tiny yellow dots that give it its namesake speckled appearance. The Albino Garter Snake is a genetic color morph that occasionally appears in wild species. Blue is not a common color you would find in snakes, which makes them very interesting. Green tree pythons are bright green with small yellow, blue, or green dots. The higher above sea level it lives, the thinner its stripes tend to be. 1. Mudsnakes eventually make their way on dry land to either lay eggs or to enter a state similar to hibernation. Snakes near limestone tend to be light gray to blue in color, while those at higher altitudes have darker coloration. - Good luck. King snakes eat other snakes, even venomous ones. They are appropriately named Racers as they move incredibly quick! Usually Blace Rat Snakes have spots on the otherwise light colored belly. They have also caused fascination in the exotic pet world. Visit WildlifeHelp.org for advice on how to deal with snakes in your area. The scales are weakly keeled and the anal plate is divided. The Spotted House Snake, or Spotted Rock Snake, lives in many of the rocky regions of South Africa. The belly is uniform whitish-green or whitish-blue and without any markings. This is a shiny black snake with a black body and red and black underside coloration. Adults can grow to 1.8 meters in length. Blue racers are non-venomous snakes that live in open and semi-open habitats, such as old fields and savannahs. Pine Snakes carry eggs that they deposit together with other eggs of the species. This snake also eats lizards, frogs, and rodents. Its habitat is expanding into Guatemala and North America. Describes the primary markings/patterns on the belly of the snake. Do you have snakes around your house? Basic description. Reptile Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It is often found near water, where it commonly hunts amphibians, small fish, toads, and tadpoles. 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. A smaller percentage of juveniles are black with a red tail tip. Certain individuals may also have patches of red on their chin. They have white coloring under the chin. Continue reading below to find out more about the 13 types of blue snakes. Its natural habitat includes Southern parts of the country . However, they are not nearly as detrimental to native Florida ecosystems as other invasive reptiles in Florida. Dekay's Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) One of the most-commonly encountered snakes in Louisiana is also one of the smallest. They have heat organs on both sides of the head, right between the nostril and the eye. Ringnecks are typically found under leaf-litter or logs and they also burrow. They sometimes live temporarily in woodlands and grasslands. This snake has a gray or brown body with keeled or ridged scales. The underside of the snake is orange-yellow to red with crescent-shaped black spots. Some living in the mountains are completely black. Ernst, C.H. The Brahminy Blind Snake is not native to Florida, but is actually from Southeast Asia. The Malabar pit viper or the rock viper is a venomous pit viper endemic to southwestern India. Theyre also natures pest control, helping keep mice, rats, and insect populations in check. Identification is easy since the species has a mostly black body which can sometimes be blue-black given there are 9 subspecies of the Eastern Kingsnake. Scientific name: Coluber constrictor constrictor. On occasion, however, they may also eat small fish and frogs. Unfortunately, however, this snake is often unnecessarily killed because it is mistaken for a venomous krait. The tongue is bright red with a black tip. North American Racers are a type of all-black snake. They are listed as a threatened species by the state of Florida and at the national level by the U.S. While some snakes have large blotches, others sport stripes and spots of all shapes and sizes. Young members of the genus have a gray body with red and light color markings looking almost like a completely different species. At first glance, many people mistake Brahminy Blind Snakes for earth worms due to their small size and similar appearance. These snakes are small, only growing 10-15 inches in length. Length: 20 - 56 in. blue-gray, or olive-brown. The. The crucial thing to remember is not to panic. They have black masts on their face with large eyes and brown to orange snouts. Plain-bellied Water Snakes also have many types of predators. In young individuals, the light spots form crossbars along the back.

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