Queen Snake

Authored By: Wilson

Regina septemvittata
Queen Snake

QUSN

Status

The Queen Snake is common in the Piedmont and mountains. The disjunct population in Arkansas is under consideration for federal listing (Category 2).

Description

The Queen Snake is a slender, small to medium-sized (38–92 cm) water snake. The dorsum is olive brown to almost black. The venter is cream or yellowish with two dark stripes which converge anteriorly (Mount 1975).

Distribution

Regina septemvittata ranges from the Great Lakes region south to the Gulf Coast. A disjunct isolate occurs in Arkansas and Missouri (Conant and Collins 1991).

Habitat

The Queen Snake is an aquatic snake. It is primarily found in or along streams or small impoundments of streams which have areas of low, overhanging branches for basking. Forest types include bottomland hardwoods and black willow-alder.

Special Requirements

This species requires clear streams with overhanging branches.

Breeding Habits

Queen Snakes are ovoviviparous. Young are born during the summer, with litter sizes ranging from 5 to 23.

Food Habits

This snake feeds almost exclusively on crayfish.

Management Suggestions

The Queen Snake favors clear streams. Channelization, impoundments and practices which cause erosion are detrimental to this species. If cutting is necessary in neighboring woods, streamside buffers should be maintained to provide basking sites and reduce siltation.