Pine Snake

Authored By: Wilson

Pituophis melanoleucus
Pine Snake

PISN

Status

The Pine Snake is listed as a species of special concern in several southern states. Tennesse lists the species as threatened and Texas lists P.m. ruthveni as an endangered species. Pituophis m. lodingi, melanoleucus, and ruthveni are all under consideration for federal listing (Category 2).

Reasons for Current Status

Exploitation for the pet trade, lack of life history data, and destruction of habitat by agriculture, urban and industrial development have been cited as determinants in the present status of the Pine Snake (Gibbons and others 1979).

Description

The Pine Snake is a large (122–210 cm), whitish snake with dark brown or black blotches that are most distinct toward the tail. Color and patterns vary greatly in several of the subspecies (e.g. lodingi is solid black while mugitus is pale white and tan). The snout is somewhat pointed and the scales are keeled. Many subspecies have been described, but only melanoleucus, mugitus, lodingi, and ruthveni occur within the Southeast.

Distribution

Pituophis melanoleucus is found in southern New Jersey, the mountain areas of Virginia to Georgia, and westward to Kentucky and Alabama. It is also found on the Coastal Plain and Piedmont of the Carolinas, scattered localities in Tennessee and Kentucky, southern Mississippi, western Louisiana and extreme eastern Texas.

Habitat

The Pine Snake is found in the sandhill areas with pine and scrub-oak, as well as sandy pine flatwoods (longleaf-slash pine). In the Piedmont and mountains, the snake is usually found in dry upland forests (Virginia, shortleaf, or loblolly pines) and ridges. This very secretive snake spends much of its time concealed in burrows, under leaf litter, or in natural cavities.

Special Requirements

This snake requires the dry, well-drained soils of open pine areas.

Breeding Habits

Breeding takes place during the spring. The female constructs a nest burrow where she deposits 7–24 eggs (Mount 1975; Carpenter 1982).

Food Habits

The Pine Snake is a powerful constrictor, feeding chiefly on small mammals and, occasionally, birds.

Management Suggestions

This large predator requires large tracts of open pine forest, scrub oak, or mixed habitat. Periodic burning will help to maintain such habitat. Development of this habitat for plantation pine, agriculture, housing, and industry should be restricted.

Remarks

The Pine Snake is well known for its noisy hiss and the vibration of its tail when faced with possible danger. In some portions of the Pine Snake’s range it is on the decline, while in other parts it is relatively common yet very secretive. This large predator will never be abundant and requires a relatively large area in which to forage.