Northern Pine Snake
Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus

The northern pine snake is a dark patterned snake with a small head and a pointed snout. It lives in dry upland forests and can be found throughout the Chesapeake watershed.

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A dark patterned northern pine snake is coiled up on sand
The northern pine snake has a black or dark brown pattern along its back with a white belly and rows of black dots along either side. (Kevin/iNaturalist CC BY-NC)

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Appearance

The northern pine snake has a black or dark brown pattern along its back with a white belly and rows of black dots along either side. This species of snake also has a small head relative to its body as well as a pointed snout.

Feeding

Northern pine snakes prey on rodents, small mammals as well as birds and bird eggs. Younger snakes eat small mammals, lizards and insects.

Predators

Larger birds such as raptors as well as large mammals like raccoons or foxes are the most common predator of the northern pine snake.

Reproduction and life cycle

Northern pine snakes breed once per year, with the season typically beginning in April and ending in May. Females will dig a deep burrow in sandy soil and lay small clutches of about 8 relatively large eggs. Once the juveniles hatch in the middle of summer, there is no parental care.

Did you know?

  • The northern pine snake hibernates underground throughout the winter and emerges in late March or April, typically remaining active until late October or November.

  • This species is primarily diurnal, although some are also active at night.

  • Snakes in this genus have overly developed epiglottis, allowing them to be the loudest snakes in the world with their hiss.

  • When cornered, a northern pine snake will coil its body, hiss loudly, vibrate its tail and strike rapidly to intimidate its predators.

Sources and additional information

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