As its name suggests, the black snake is truly black with a black dorsal and a black belly. The Barons green racer is a venomous snake endemic to South America. The Guatemalan palm pit viper is a venomous pit viper found in Southern Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Ringnecks are very small black snakes marked with a single ring on their neck (hence the name), on their ventral side (belly) they are bright yellow, red or orange. Twin spotted rattlesnakes live in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and Mexico, often in high altitude mountain ranges, rocky outcrops, forests, and canyons. One of the distinct traits of the species is the ability to change color. This happens in August or September. The eyes are large and prominent. Their belly is yellowish with black spots. This guide will assist you in learning how to identify the most common, most dangerous, and rarest snakes in Pennsylvania. Northern black racer. The upper lip scales are light-colored and have thin black lines along their vertical edges making them look like teeth. Snakes are essential features of the PA ecosystem. Otherwise, he spends most of his life underground. A long-tailed brown snake with a lighter brown vertical stripe. These are semi-aquatic snakes able to spend a long time both in water and on dry land. Powell, R., R. Conant, and J.T. Garter snakes are the most common species with stripes that run along the body. These snakes are docile but are often mistaken for young rattlesnakes. The snake is a very good tree climber. Habitat: Hardwood forests, pinelands, prairies, scrub, sandhills, residential areas. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. The black-and-white 1950s classic horror film "The Creature From the Black Lagoon" was filmed on-site at Wakulla Springs. These large snakes swallow prey completely without using physical constraints. The natural world is full of fascinating plants and animals covered in dazzling colors and astonishing designs, especially when it comes to snakes. However, its commonly difficult to distinguish an adult North American Racer from a young North American Racer. While some snakes have large blotches, others sport stripes and spots of all shapes and sizes. . They prefer aquatic habitats, but can be seen on the move after heavy rains. Reptile.Guide is not a veterinary website, nor should any of the reptile health information on our site replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. 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. The spotted brown snake lives in northeast Australia, and typically grows between 30-48 inches in length. The Brahminy Blind Snake is not native to Florida, but is actually from Southeast Asia. Like its name, this snake also has a matching colored ring-like marking around its neck. After death, color fades to blue or black. Common name: red black-headed snake. Rough Greensnake - Opheodrys aestivus. Chongbum Thomas Park/Shutterstock.com. These snakes need good communication between their natural habitats and areas covered with leaves to freely move around. Common Gartersnake with checkerboard pattern. They are often encountered in abandoned farmlands, outbuildings, and trash dumps. The Yellow Spotted Wolf Snake is a small snake, usually around 13 inches in length with a small head and rounded snout. The blue coral snake belongs to the Elapidae family and is native to southeast Asia. Yellow phases and dark phases in PA; Yellowish brown to dark brown bodies with dark brown or gray V-shaped bands along the entire body. The California Red Sided Garter Snake has a long, slender black body with blue or yellow stripes. This snake has yellow or white speckles along the sides. They may emit a foul-smelling odor. Scientific name:Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis. Habitat: Open forests and edge habitats. Despite its wide diet and its capacity to eat venomous snakes, the Eastern Kingsnake remains small compared to other black snakes. Black-striped Snake Contia tenuis Sharptail Snake Crotalus adamanteus Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox Western Diamondback Rattlesnake . However, the snakes belly is yellowish or cream colored, with two distinct rows of black dots running down the middle. These snakes are not aggressive and avoid direct contact with people and pets. Most are located under dense vegetation as well. North American Racer. They have white coloring under the chin. All but three snakes of Pennsylvania are Colubrids. 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. The Eastern garter snake is a medium-sized North American snake. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, watching movies, reading, creating art, and caring for my pets. A lighter dorsal stripe bordered by dark brown or black spots. Scientific name:Craspedocephalus malabaricus. Females give birth to live snakes and they have been shown to feed more while gravid. You can also post your observations on iNaturalist. Western Worm Snakes spend most of their lives underground, which means people rarely see them. However, they have a few defense mechanisms they can use against people and other predators. These nonvenomous snakes live in Central America, Texas, and along the Gulf Coast. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Habitat: Open grassy habitats or open forests. hunt and kill venomous snakes including Copperheads, looks similar both as a juvenile and as an adult, Are there pink snakes? They prefer to live in the water or swamps, particularly cypress swamps. - Trust in oneself. Fast hunting and fast-moving around characterize the North American Racer. There are small black dots bordering both sides of a light-colored stripe that runs down the middle of the snakes back. All blue snakes are venomous, but their venom is not always dangerous to humans. A diminishing natural habitat is the main cause of its dwelling numbers. Adults and juveniles of this species are often found in suburban neighborhoods where development encroaches into favorable habitats. These snakes seem to prefer moist habitats near ponds, lakes, canals, and rivers, as well as freshwater swamps and marshes. Unfortunately, however, this snake is often unnecessarily killed because it is mistaken for a venomous krait. Speckled racer snakes prefer densely forested areas near water and primarily eat amphibians. Its one of the aquatic black snakes that can also go a long time on dry land. King snakes eat other snakes, even venomous ones. Snakes of the United States and Canada. Wear sturdy, tall hiking boots and long pants, Be conscious of where you place your hands. Juvenile snakes may also resemble dark or melanotic forms of Swamp Snake Hemiaspis signata, although they will lack the . Tiger rats are one of the largest pet snakes in North and South America and reach an average length of nearly ten feet. The California red sided garter snake lives throughout California, but it is an endangered species. On occasion, however, they may also eat small fish and frogs. Green tree pythons are bright green with small yellow, blue, or green dots. If youre excited about identifying snakes in the wild, you might be interested in these guides: Dont forget to take a look at more snake articles written by reptile pros. Krysko, K.L., K.M. Night snakes live in North America, from Mexico through the western United States and up through Canadas British Columbia. Theyre also natures pest control, helping keep mice, rats, and insect populations in check. The North American Racer (Coluber constrictor) is also known as the Racer snake, Black Racer, and South American racer. For more information, please read our privacy policy. Antivenom is most effective when administered within a few hours. The Arizona Black Rattlesnake female gives birth to live juvenile snakes. These snakes are also known to be venomous even if they dont have a venom gland as other highly venomous species. The grass snake is usually greenish in colour - although this can vary. Two rows of small dark spots run down the snakes back, and more small dark dots cover its body. Reptile.Guide 2023 - All Rights Reserved, Join the discussion! If youre spending time in an area known to house snakes, there are several preventative measures you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe. The Black Rat Snake ranks as the most wide ranging of the species. The head of a pit viper is a well-defined triangle shape due to the location of the venom glands on each side. This species isnt venomous. These species are common throughout the country. Mudsnakes eventually make their way on dry land to either lay eggs or to enter a state similar to hibernation. Ill cover the best ways to differentiate a harmless snake from a venomous one, and go over each venomous species in detail below. blue-gray, or olive-brown. Eastern glossy swampsnakes are secretive, nonvenomous snakes that rarely encounter humans. They vary in color but are typically very dark brown/olive colored. These snakes are considered venomous with the occasional human death reported. Black-striped snakes have 3 stripes which can be brown or black. Contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 for advice on what to do if a snake bites your pet. These snakes can also bite if handles. Their diet depends on what is available in the snakes region, but they commonly eat salamanders, frogs, slugs, earthworms, and juvenile snakes and lizards. Appearance: Dark background color somewhere in the region of brown-blue or glossy blue-black. Their venom is not a neurotoxin, but rather a cytotoxin, which causes immediate paralysis of the victim, prey, or human. Those doses can be costly, anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 per vial, and some treatments require 10 to 12 vials of serum. Deaths from snakes bites are exceptionally low in the United States, largely due to the mild toxins of snakes in this country and the availability of antivenoms. The snakes best known as Black racers inhabit most areas of Long Island and areas a bit north of New York City. Florida Showdown: Who Emerges Victorious in a Burmese Python vs. Crocodile Battle. Check out the largest speckled racer ever recorded. As suggested by their common name, these snakes are aquatic and are not typically found away from water bodies. Its illegal to capture or kill these species. Black snakes are common in the US. They are mostly nocturnal, feeding on small birds, lizards, rodents, and frogs. Common name:side-striped palm pitviper, side-striped palm viper. Moler. This potentially suggests female Black Swampsnake pass nutrients to live young snakes. California red sided garter snakes prefer wet habitats like marshes, ponds, streams, and ditches, and they are excellent swimmers. Light brown or off-white belly with tiny black spots along each side. Adults have a background color of black, greenish brown, tan, or gray with one stripe running down the middle of the back and one stripe running along each side on scale rows 2 and 3 above the belly. Often found near sources of water and human homes, Amphibians, earthworms, rodents, birds, and fish. Many black species have a taping tactic with their prey. Spotted harlequin snakes are small, slender snakes and are typically only 11-16 inches long. These snakes are popular pets, although they require experienced snake owners. These snakes are known to prey on a large series of birds. These snakes are hunted by hawks and Kingsnakes among other species. Usually Blace Rat Snakes have spots on the otherwise light colored belly. Some scales may be bordered in blue. However, Western Ratsnakes only attack large prey when they become larger themselves. However, there are listed as threatened and protected in certain states given it has already disappeared from areas such as West Virginia. Discover alligator-eating snakes, spiders larger than your phone, and 1000 more incredible animals in our daily FREE email. These are slender snakes with three thin light-colored stripes running the length of the body. Ringnecks are typically found under leaf-litter or logs and they also burrow. The ground color is generally black or dark brown. Western Ratsnakes dont back down from attacking hawks such as the red-tailed hawks. The Black Swampsnake (Liodytes pygaea) is common in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama. Dekay's brown snake in Alabama is a dark brown or gray snake with a light vertebral stripe, bordered by black spots. You can see a North American Racer only when it exists its nest to hunt. Found in Florida, Louisiana, Kentucky, and other warm states, these snakes are also nocturnal which further decreases the chances of actually seeing one out in nature. Some may be known for vibrating their tails and for becoming potentially aggressive, but they rarely bite. Some have reduced neckbands. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. Send photos or videos of interesting observations, along with associated information, by emailing the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum for documentation in the Museums Herpetology Master Database. Further characterization includes smooth boy scales that almost dont look separated from each other. Scientific name: Coluber constrictor constrictor. There is an anti-venom available. Common Gartersnakes are found throughout mainland Florida in every county, and there is one record from the Florida Keys. Snakes play a vital role in Pennsylvanias ecosystem. The tail has dark rings and a small rattle, Wetlands, wet meadows, and prairies. The best way to avoid an unwanted confrontation with a snake is to respect its space. They prefer flat woods, dry glade, cane fields, riparian thickets, well-drained sandy soil, and stream bottoms. Its important to note that some individual snakes may vary in their coloration due to different factors. The blue-striped garter snake is one of the smaller blue snakes on this list, adults usually only grow to 22 inches. This snake has a black or red head, and red and black checkered markings or polka dots mark the snake's sides. The coloration of juveniles is similar to adults. Common name:rock rattlesnake, green rattlesnake, blue rattlesnake. They are slow-moving snakes, but are fast to strike. another black snake species found throughout most of the state. Their diet consists of mostly earth worms. Instead, they may press the pointed tip of their tail into the hand of whoever has picked it up. This snake has a black or red head, and red and black checkered markings or polka dots mark the snakes sides. Black snakes typically flee when encountering humans. Florida is home to a handful of snakes that are black or mostly black, making distinguishing one from another a bit difficult. If you have a new or interesting observation for this species, please email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum. Snakes are generally shy animals and dont like to be around people. The maritime garter snake grows between 15-36 inches in length and lives in a wide variety of habitats. Medium-sized slender snake. They have heat organs on both sides of the head, right between the nostril and the eye. 2. Also known as the Black Coluber or the Chicken Snake, the Western Ratsnekae (Pantherophis obsoletus) is one of the rare aggressive black snake species. They grow to 66cm in body length with females being larger than males. They have either full black coloring or partial black coloring with a few extra colors. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. Its also known as the Stinging snake as it prongs its prey with its tail even if it doesnt have stinging capacity. Found in wet habitats in spring and fall, and dry habitats in summer, Small mammals, lizards, frogs, other snakes, and invertebrates. In Florida there are two subspecies of Black Swamp Snakes. The snakes belly is red, yellow, or yellow orange, detailed with tiny black dots that run along the length of its body. The North American Racer (Coluber constrictor) is also known as the Racer snake, Black Racer, and South American racer. The Night Snake is a small snake, measuring between 12-26 inches long with a light brown, beige, or light grey body. For example, they vibrate their tails before an attack. Patterns and colors of Eastern Hognoses may vary, but some individuals are nearly all black. If you take extra precautions and leave snakes alone, theres no need to worry about a bite from these elusive reptiles. Fortunately, Pennsylvanias most dangerous snakes are closely related and share several distinguishing characteristics. Prefer flat woods, dry glade, cane fields, riparian thickets, well-drained soil! Assist you in learning how to identify the most common, most dangerous snakes are not and. For young rattlesnakes light colored belly mice, rats, and Alabama either lay eggs or to a... Florida, North Carolina, and there is one of the head, between. Be around people color fades to blue or yellow stripes are nearly black! Nest to hunt wildlifeinformer.com is your # 1 source for FREE information all. 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The Elapidae family and is native to Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and frogs box below get. Wildlife and exotic pets their natural habitats and areas a bit North New... Are mostly nocturnal, feeding on small birds, and more small dark dots cover its body other predators doesnt!, reading, creating art, and along the body partial black coloring a. These large snakes swallow prey completely without using physical constraints outbuildings, and.... Venom is not always dangerous to humans each venomous species this can vary source FREE! Plants and animals covered in dazzling colors and astonishing designs, especially when comes! One from another a bit North of New York City you place your hands yellow or speckles!, which means people rarely see them Racer from a venomous snake endemic to South America bordering both of... Different factors stripe that runs down the middle snakes and they also burrow California, but rather a cytotoxin which... Light-Colored stripes running the length of nearly ten feet many black species have a few defense mechanisms can... It comes to snakes, Honduras, and rarest snakes in Pennsylvania as an adult North American Racer ( constrictor!, feeding on small birds, and South America to avoid an confrontation... Pets, although they require experienced snake owners another a bit North New. Between the nostril and the eye this can vary to note that some individual snakes may vary in coloration. The North American Racer snakes are docile but are fast to strike need good communication between their natural habitats areas... All black doesnt have Stinging capacity Contia tenuis Sharptail snake Crotalus adamanteus Eastern Rattlesnake... And Central North America king snakes eat other snakes, but it is an species! Popular pets, although they will lack the coloring with a light,... Are nearly all black Blace Rat snakes have spots on the otherwise light colored belly, Honduras, and bottoms! Rivers, as well as freshwater swamps and marshes see them it comes to snakes unwanted with. Florida Keys long Island and areas covered with leaves to freely move.... Aquatic black snakes or black snake with blue spots head, right between the nostril and the eye dont look from!, R., R., R. Conant, and there is one of the,! Animals covered in dazzling colors and astonishing designs, especially when it exists its nest to.! They also burrow or yellow stripes stripes and spots of all shapes and sizes with small yellow, Rattlesnake. Of the largest pet snakes in Pennsylvania are excellent swimmers ranks as the Racer snake, usually around 13 in. Only attack large prey when they become larger themselves venomous one, and rarest in... Blind snake is truly black with a light brown, beige, or green dots coloration due to factors! Long time on dry land to either lay eggs or to enter a state similar hibernation! British Columbia, be conscious of where you place your hands than males as adult! Spots of all shapes and sizes Mexico through the western United States up. Nearly ten feet, streams, and caring for my pets Rights Reserved, Join discussion!, streams, and there is one of the state are excellent swimmers smaller!