NORTHERN PINE SNAKE

ORDER

Squamata (amphisbaenians, lizards and snakes)

FAMILY

Colubridae

HABITAT AND RANGE

Contrary to their name, northern pine snakes are primarily found in the southern United States. There are isolated populations in the Jersey Pine Barrens. They require dry pine-oak forest and loose sandy soil, but can also be found in sandy plains. Unlike most snakes who find pre-constructed burrows to inhabit, pine snakes excavate their own summer dens and winter hibernacula (a winter den used for hibernation). They are not climbers, but exclusively terrestrial.

IDENTIFICATION

Pine snakes can grow 3-8 feet long. They have small heads and pointed snouts with one specialized large triangular scale on the front of their face between their nostrils. This special scale protects the snake’s face as he burrows headfirst into the soil. They are light colored with brown, black, and white splotches, in order to blend in with the light sandy soil and leaf litter in their natural habitat. Pine snakes are often confused with rattlesnakes, because when alarmed they will hiss loudly and vibrate the ends of their tails while puffing themselves up and lifting the front end of their bodies off the ground (sort of like cobras). However, pine snakes are not venomous.

DIET

Nonvenomous constrictor; diurnal hunters. Eat primarily small rodents and birds, and mammals as large as rabbits. Also eggs and lizards. In their habitats they are top predators with no natural predators of their own.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Oviparous. Females lay eggs in underground nests that are reused year after year. Females will also share large communal nests. One female can lay between 3-24 eggs in a single clutch, but typically the number is about ten. Newborn pine snakes can already be over a foot long. Lifespan in captivity is up to 20 years.

NOTES

The New Jersey population is protected under the New Jersey Endangered Species Conservation Act, but not under any federal statute.