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Northern Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus)

Description Habitats Habits and Life History Prey and Hunting Techniques

Temperament and Defense Conservation State Distribution and Abundance Gallery

Contributors Bibliography Discussion

Description

This impressive-sized (though extremely secretive) constrictor is generally whitish in coloration with a series of squarish, dark dorsal blotches. Smaller, irregular blotches occur on the sides. The blotching becomes more regular toward the tail. This species has an enlarged rostral scale for digging.

Habitats

True to its name, this species is found in pine barrens and sandhills, where pine woods and dry, sandy soils dominate.

Habits and Life History

For such a large snake, this species is extremely secretive, preferring to spend its time in burrows rather than exposed. In fact, locals who have lived in the same area for years may not know that this species "shares their own backyard".

Breeding occurs in the spring. In the summer, females will excavate a large underground "nest" in sandy soil, lay their eggs, and leave. Hatching takes place in late summer.

Prey and Hunting Techniques

This species is known to prey upon a variety of mammals. Birds and their eggs may also be consumed.

This species is likely to enter an animal burrow, consume its inhabitants, and claim the burrow as its own. A powerful constrictor, this species subdues its prey with suffocating coils.

Temperament and Defense

Although most individuals calm with handling, a newly captured or cornered specimen is likely to put on an impressive display! This display may include coiling, raising of the head into striking posture, loud hissing, and vibrating of the tail. For most individuals, this is a bluff (though some may back it up by actually biting).

Conservation

As this species is not confirmed to occur in the state, no special status is attributed. Populations appear to be declining and it is listed by every state within its known range as either threatened or endangered. Primary threats include habitat loss and fragmentation.

State Distribution and Abundance

A disjunct colony of this species occurs in extreme southwestern Tennessee, bordering Crittenden County in Arkansas. The Mississippi River is likely an impenetrable barrier against further expansion to the west. No Arkansas voucher specimens exist for this species; its abundance is presumed to be zero.

Gallery

- no Flickr images available for display -

Contributors

• kaptainkory December 16, 2006, at 12:13 PM (Original Contributor)

Bibliography

• Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979 (1987). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd ed. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 743 pp.
• Conant, R., and J. T. Collins. 1998. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. 3rd ed., Expanded. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. 616 pp.
• Irwin, K. J. 2004. Arkansas Snake Guide. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Pocket Guide. 50 pp.
• Trauth, S. E., H. W. Robison, and M. V. Plummer. 2004. Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas. University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville. 421 pp.

Discussion