35. Northern
Brown Snake - Storeria dekayi dekayi
Description: 9 - 13 ¾" (23 - 35 cm). Dorsum
color dark brown to light tan. Dorsal scales keeled. Two
parallel rows of dark spots down back. Black mark behind
eye and on neck. Belly light color with black dots. Anal
plate divided.
Similar
species in our area: Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus),
Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis ssp.) and Ribbon
Snakes (Thamnophis sauritus) all may look similar.
Northern Redbelly Snake (S. occipitomaculata) has
red belly.
Lifestyle:
This species is fairly common and is tolerant of human
activity. It can be found throughout our area. Inhabits
various environments from woodlands and swamps to lots,
golf courses and cemeteries. Mates spring and fall. It
is a live-bearing species. Young have yellow ring around
neck, 3-4.5". Brood size 3-30.
36. Northern
Water Snake - Nerodia sipedon sipedon
Description: 24 - 44" (61 - 110 cm). Reddish brown
to grayish brown. Keeled dorsal scales. Heavily patterned
with darker band patterns from neck to anus. Belly is
cream colored, often dark, crescent shaped spots along
periphery of belly scales. Anal plate divided.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
This snake is fairly common near water and can be found
throughout our area. The species tolerates a wide variety
of aquatic habitats and can handle some human activity.
Mates April to June gives live birth in September and
October. Heavy black banding along otherwise light gray
dorsum. Born at 6 - 8". Brood size 15-50. This species
is active both in during the day and night.
37a. Common
Garter Snake - Thamnophis sirtalis ssp.
Description: 18 - 51" (45 - 130 cm). Highly variable
color. Distinguishing characteristics: 1) Side stripe
NOT ON on 2nd and 3rd scale rows.
2) Back stripe present. 3) Red blotches often present
between stripe. 4). Capable of releasing an unpleasant
musk scent. Anal plate single.
Similar
species in our area: The Eastern Garter Snake (T. sirtalis
sirtalis) is our native subspecies; all others are
probably introduced. Ribbon Snake (T. sirtalis)
and Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi)
Lifestyle:
Our native species (sub-species) is common, all others
are uncommon. May be found throughout our area. There
are many reports of these snakes being released by their
owners. Although this might seem like the right
thing to do, releasing pet animals whether native or non-native
is a dangerous thing to do and can spread disease to wild
populations. IT IS ALSO ILLEGAL They inhabit
woodlands and fields usually near water, and are quite
tolerant to human activity. Capable of releasing
an unpleasant musk scent. Live bearing species which
mates March to May (sometimes as late as October) and
gives birth May through September. Brood size 3-80. Young
5-9".
37b. Eastern
Garter Snake - Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
Description: 18 - 25 ½" (45 - 65 cm). Ground
color olive to brown to black. Three stripes; one down
back, one down each side along 2nd and 3rd
scale rows. Belly green to yellow with two rows of subtle
black dots. Keeled scales Checkerboard pattern may be
present on dorsal side. Anal plate single.
Similar
species in our area: All other Garter Snake (T. sirtalis
ssp.) species other than our native subspecies, Ribbon
Snakes (T. sauritus) and Brown Snake (Storeria
dekayi).
Lifestyle:
This species is common and can be found throughout our
area. There are many reports of these snakes being
released by their owners. Although this might seem
like the right thing to do, releasing pet animals whether
native or non-native is a dangerous thing to do and can
spread disease to wild populations. IT IS ALSO
ILLEGAL. Capable of releasing an unpleasant
musk scent. It can be found in almost any habitat from
forests to fields to parks to lots. Live bearing species
which mates March to May (sometimes as late as October)
and gives birth May through September. Brood size 3-80.
Young 5-9".
38a. Ribbon
Snake - Thamnophis sauritus ssp.
Description: 18 ½ - 40" (47 - 101 cm). Ground
color is dark olive, brown or black. Slender, narrow body
with three tan to bluish stripes; one down center of back,
and one each down side on 3rd and 4th
scales rows. Dorsal scales keeled. Dorsal head dark, ventral
head (chin) white. Stripe down margin of belly scales.
Anal plate single.
Similar
species in our area: The Eastern Ribbon Snake (T. sauritus
sauritus) is our native subspecies; all others are
introduced. Garter Snake (T. sirtalis) is bulkier
and has side stripes on 2nd and 3rd
scale rows.
Lifestyle:
Our native species is not very common and other introduced
sub-species are even less common. Found on L.I.; extinct
from S.I. There are many reports of these snakes
being released by their owners. Although this might
seem like the right thing to do, releasing pet animals
whether native or non-native is a dangerous thing to do
and can spread disease to wild populations. IT
IS ALSO ILLEGAL Often found on the margins of wetland
areas both forested and open. Live bearing, mates in Spring,
gives birth to live young in August and late summer. Brood
size 3-25. Young are born at 7-9".
38b. Eastern
Ribbon Snake - Thamnophis sauritus sauritus
Description: 17 ¾ - 26" (45 - 66 cm). Ground
color dark red to brown. Three yellow dorsal stripes;
one down center, one on each side along 3rd
and 4th scale rows. Head bi-colored; dorsal
is dark, chin is white. A very slender species with pale
belly which may bear a stripe. Scales keeled. Anal plate
single.
Similar
species in our area: All other Ribbon Snake (T. sauritus
ssp.) species other than native subspecies; Garter
Snake (T. sirtalis ssp.) hasstripe on 2nd
and 3rd scales rows.
Lifestyle:
This species is not very common. It can be found on L.I.,
and is extinct from S.I. It is found in a wide variety
of aquatic habitats, bordering water in wetland areas.
There are many reports of these snakes being released
by their owners. Although this might seem like the
right thing to do, releasing pet animals whether native
or non-native is a dangerous thing to do and can spread
disease to wild populations. IT IS ALSO ILLEGALCan
tolerate human pressure somewhat. Live bearing; mates
early summer, gives birth late summer early fall. Brood
size 3-25. Young are born at 7-9".
39. Eastern
Milk Snake - Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum
Description: 23 5/8 - 35 ½" (60 - 90 cm).
Vivid color patterns on dorsum blotched with brown to
tan to red bands usually in three rows; mid-dorsal row
much larger than lateral rows. Distinct "Y" or "V" shaped
marking on top of head. Scales are smooth. Anal plate
single.
Similar
species in our area: Young Northern Water Snake (Nerodia
sipedon) may look similar. This species has crescents
on belly, keeled scales and double anal plate.
Lifestyle:
This snake is fairly common throughout our area. Found
in a wide range of places from lightly wooded areas to
fields to lots and parks. They are somewhat tolerant of
human pressure. The "milk" part of their name comes from
the myth that these snakes had the ability to mile cows.
This likely originated as a result of their propensity
to inhabit barns. Breeds May to June. Lays 3-20
elliptical eggs in rotting vegetation in June and July.
Eggs hatch in August and September and young have bright
red markings and are 5-10".
40. Eastern
Worm Snake - Carphophis amoenus amoenus
Description: 7 ½ - 11" (19 - 28 cm). Looks
like an earthworm. Flattened head and very small eyes.
Belly is pink and translucent. Smooth scales. Anal plate
divided.
This
photograph was supplied by Guntram Deichsel.
Similar species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
This species is uncommon and probably only remain in isolated
areas of L.I. It is listed as a "Species of Special Concern"
by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
This species may be considered uncommon due to it’s fossorial
lifestyle and small, well camouflaged body. The name of
this species comes from their similarity to worms in both
design and habit. They live in well drained soils
in our Pine Barren region. Mate in late spring and fall.
Deposit 4-5 thin shelled eggs under 1" in June and July.
Hatching occurs in August and September. Young are darker
than adults and are about 3-4" at hatching. .
41. Northern
Black Racer - Coluber constrictor constrictor
Description: 36 - 67" (90 - 170 cm). Completely
black except for a white chin and throat. Scales are smooth.
Juveniles have mid-dorsal row of gray spots. Anal plate
divided.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
This species is fairly common throughout our area. It
prefer lightly forested pine and deciduous, but is usually
found on borders (sometimes rocky) where there is open
land and sunlight. Mates April to May. Lays 7-30 leather
granular eggs at 1-2" in June to August in dirt or vegetation.
This is the largest and fastest of the snakes in this
area. Young hatch late August to late September
8-13" with distinct patterning of brown to red splotches
on gray/blue ground-color down center of back. Dark spots
on sides and belly, yet tail is unpatterned.
42. Smooth
Green Snake - Liochlorophis vernalis
Description: 11 ¾ - 19 ¾" (30 - 50
cm). This species is green dorsally and cream white ventrally.
It is narrow and has smooth scales. Anal plate divided.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
This species is not common. It can be found on L.I. and
is extinct from S.I. Favors grassy fields where it is
well camouflaged and seldom noticed. Mates spring and
summer. In may lay around 5 oval eggs that are thin shelled
in late summer, or females may incubate eggs internally.
Young hatch 4-20 days at 4-6" and are olive to blue/gray.
43. Eastern
Hognose Snake - Heterodon platirhinos
Description: 20 - 33 ½" (51 - 85 cm). Color
is variable from black to brown to olive to orange. Tip
of nose is upturned. Scales are heavily keeled. Blotched
patterns often present on back. Will often play dead and
flatten head.
This species is rear-fanged and minutely venomous, but
completely harmless to man.
Similar
species in our area: NONE
Lifestyle:
This species is uncommon and only remains on L.I. It is
listed as a "Special Concern" species by the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The loss of the snake may be correlated to the recent
decline in Fowler's toad populations throughout the area.
Loss of habitat is also a likey culprit. This species
has several means of defense. If startled this snake
may play dead, rattle it's tail like a rattlesnake, or
flatten it's head like a cobra. It prefers Pine
Barrens with sandy soils and ample basking areas. Mates
from May to late June. 4-60 thin shelled 1 ¼" eggs
deposited in sandy soil June and July. Young hatch August
and September at 6.5-10". .
44. Northern
Ringneck Snake - Diadophis punctatus edwardsii
Description: 9 13/16 - 15 ¾" (25 - 40 cm).
Slate gray to black dorsum with smooth scales. Golden
ring behind head. Belly is bright yellow to red with some
black spots possible. Anal plate divided.
Similar
species in our area: Northern Redbelly (Storeria occipitomaculata)
has 3 spots around neck.
Lifestyle:
This species is not commonly seen, but can be found throughout
much of our area. This may be due to it’s small size and
secretive lifestyle. They can tolerate human pressure
and can be found in and under our debris. Also found in
pine and deciduous forests, gardens and meadows. Breeds
May to July and fall. 5-10 1" yellow/white eggs laid June
and July in debris (sometimes in communal nest sites).
Young hatch August and September at 4-6". Young are darker
than adults.
45. Redbelly
Snake - Storeria occipitomaculata
Description: 8-15" (20.3 - 35 cm). Small black/brown
snake with bright red belly and neck spots (3). Anal plate
is divided.
Similar
species in our area: Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus)
has complete ring around neck; Brown Snake (S. Dekayi)
does not have red belly.
Lifestyle:
This species is very rare and there are only scattered
reports of it’s presence on L.I. It prefers moist, swampy
habitats under debris. This species mates in spring and
fall. 5-9 live young emerge during late summer at 3-4".
Young look like adults but are darker.