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Pine Barrens Where Butterflies Dwell Draw Snakes, Too

The eastern hognose snake, one of the species found in the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park, plays dead when it is threatened.

A sandy, open ecosystem that extends from Albany's Pine Bush north through Wilton is not only habitat for the endangered Karner Blue butterfly but also for a variety of interesting snakes.

"It provides a buffer," said naturalist Kenneth Barnett about the inland pine barrens. "It's a bit warmer in the summer and the winter."

Snakes, such as the eastern hognose snake, like the sandy soil and slightly warmer temperatures found in areas of the 2,000-acre Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park located east of the Northway in Wilton.

Barnett, an employee of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, will present an educational program on the snakes found in the preserve and park at 10 a.M. Saturday. The free program, including a display of live snakes, will be in the preserve and park's office at 80 Scout Road. He will also lead a snake walk after his talk.

Barnett said he will dispel some myths about snakes and encourage people to help protect the harmless snakes in the preserve and park and other parts of the Capital Region rather than kill them.

Barnett said the inland pine barrens are the remains of what was once a glacial lake in prehistoric times. The long-gone lake, which extended from Albany north to Glens Falls, Queensbury and the Adirondack foothills, left behind the silty, sandy soil and generally open landscape of the pine barrens.

Barnett listed eight different species of snakes that live in the pine barrens, including the northern black racer, which grows to 6 feet in length, and the more common eastern garter snake.

But the eastern hognose snake is one Barnett said has unusual characteristics it uses to defend itself.

"The eastern hognose does not bite," Barnett said. "They play dead."

When the eastern hognose, which grows to about 3 feet in length, is threatened by a human or another predator, it will first hiss and swell up its neck like a cobra. If that doesn't work, Barnett said, the snake will roll over and play dead, regurgitating all the food in its stomach and defecating.

"They become a disgusting, smelly mess," Barnett said.

He said the hognose snake does this to make itself an unattractive meal to the threatening predator.

"It's fascinating," Barnett said about the hognose snake's self-preservation antics.

The hognose itself consumes mainly toads and frogs.

Barnett, 50, is a pesticide control specialist with the state Department of Environmental Conservation but has had a lifelong interest in reptiles and amphibians. He has a biology degree from Southern Connecticut State University.

He said he had a passion for reptiles as a youngster and continued this interest throughout his life. He has written two publications on snakes and reptiles and studies snakes in Albany's Pine Bush by attaching tiny transmitters to them.

Another snake of interest in Wilton's preserve is the northern black racer.

"It's a large snake, exceeding six feet in length," Barnett said. "It's a very fast snake and hunts in tree branches.

"There is a population [of black racers] near Scout Road," Barnett said.

He said many of the black racers are killed by humans because they are large and fast. But they are harmless to humans. They eat small rodents, mice and rats.

"People don't like snakes around them," Barnett said.

"But if people are engaged [and learn] that the snake cannot kill you, they will change their ideas about snakes in their backyards," he said.

Barnett said there are no timber rattlesnakes in Saratoga County. He said the endangered timber rattlesnake, which is poisonous, can be found in caves above Lake George and Lake Champlain and in the Catskill Mountains.

Other snakes found in the preserve and park include the milk snake, brown snake, red-belly snake, northern water snake and ringneck snake.

Categories: Schenectady County

Snakes Of New York

New York state is home to 17 species of snakes. These animals, whose tubular, limbless bodies are instantly and universally recognized, produce mixed reactions among people, from fear to fascination. Serpents figure prominently in the mythologies of nearly all human cultures, sometimes as a symbol of evil and temptation. It is perhaps for this reason that snakes often are persecuted and killed without any understanding of their true nature.

Snakes play critical roles in the environments where they occur, primarily by the position they hold in food webs in natural communities. Many snakes are top level predators; for example, a single rat snake can consume over 100 rodents a year.

Other snakes are important in the control they exert on insect and other invertebrate populations. All snakes form part of the diet of other predators such as hawks and foxes and thereby serve to link higher and lower feeding levels.

Common Snakes of New York

The most widespread and frequently encountered snakes in New York state are the garter snake and the water snake. Garter snakes use a wide variety of habitats, from woodlands to marshes to fields and exist quite well around human habitations. These snakes, like many other species, are variable in color and pattern; the basic color is dark brown or green with three yellowish stripes down their sides and back. They may reach lengths of two feet, but are typically smaller. They are completely harmless to people.

The water snake is found in and around almost any waterbody or wetland in the state. As an adult, it is a stout animal typically dark brown to black with lighter-colored bands and splotches along its length. This is most pronounced in young individuals (adults may appear solid black). It is the only large (up to 42 inches) water snake in our range. This species is frequently called or mistaken for a cottonmouth (water moccasin); this latter species is a large venomous snake that does not occur within our state borders. This confusion is understandable as our water snake is certainly an aggressive species with a nasty disposition and it does bear a superficial resemblance to the cottonmouth.

The milk snake has given rise to more misconceptions than perhaps any other species. Its name is derived from the decidedly false belief that it will milk cows! It is, however, frequently encountered in barns in search of its rodent prey (it also eats other snakes). The milk snake is a boldly patterned serpent (brown or reddish blotches on a light grey to tan body) that vibrates its tail when annoyed. These characteristics are undoubtedly responsible for its being called "spotted adder" in some regions, an unfortunate name because it brings to mind the truly venomous snakes of Europe and Asia. The milk snake is harmless.

The largest species in New York is the black rat snake, reaching lengths of eight feet! These largely black-colored snakes are found primarily along cliffs and rocky slopes but are absent from most of the Adirondacks. It is an impressive animal that overpowers its bird and small mammal prey by constriction.

Other kinds that occur all across New York in appropriate habitat are the green, redbelly, brown, and ringneck snakes; all four of these are small, slender, and completely benign species that feed on insects, spiders, earthworms and slugs. Each is described quite well by their common names.

Venomous Snakes in New York

Distribution and IdentificationThere are only three species of venomous snakes living in the wilds of New York (many other kinds may be found in the homes of private individuals and, occasionally, escapes occur!). These are the timber rattlesnake, the massasauga (erroneously called "pygmy rattler"), and the copperhead. All three are uncommon. The timber rattlesnake (listed as "Threatened" by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) enjoys the widest range; it is found mainly in the southeastern part of the state, except Long Island and New York City, with scattered populations as far north as Lake George and also along the Southern Tier in western New York. Its populations have been severely reduced, primarily due to bounties and commercial capture for snakeskin products and the pet trade. The massasauga (listed as "Endangered") occurs in only two locations, both large wetlands. One is located northeast of Syracuse and the other is west of Rochester. This species is the subject of a cooperative research program between researchers at SUNY-ESF and NYSDEC. The copperhead is mainly found along the lower Hudson Valley south of Kingston and scattered through the Catskills.

The timber rattler and massasauga both possess a rattle at the end of their tails. It is made of a series of hollow scales that produce a distinct buzz when the snake vibrates its tail (a new one is added each time the snake sheds its skin, which may be several times a year). Both rattlers are sort of chunky snakes but the timber rattlesnake can attain lengths of up to six feet while the massasauga barely reaches three feet. A timber rattler's head is much wider than a massasauga's and there are numerous small scales on the crown of its head; the massasauga has nine larger scales on the crown. Copperheads lack the rattle, but will vibrate their tail when annoyed. In dry leaves, this vibration can sound like a rattle; many other species, such as milk and rat snakes, will also perform this behavior. The copperhead can be told by its coppery-red head and by the distinct bands along its body which are widest at the sides and narrowest across the back.

Venomous snakes are best left alone. None of our species are particularly aggressive animals, but they will attempt to bite when handled.

Snake Species Within New York

All photos by John White (copyrighted). Used with permission from University of California CalPhotos collection

Black Rat

Black Rat Snake

Eastern Garter Snake

Eastern Hog Nose Snake

Eastern Hognose Snake

Eastern massasauga

Eastern Massasauga

Eastern Milk Snake

Eastern Worm Snake

Northern Black Racer

Northern Borwn Snake

Northern Copperhead

Northern Redbelly Snake

Northern Ringneck

Northern Water Snake

Queen Snake

Ribbon Snake

Smooth Green Snake

Timber Rattlesnake

No pictures available for:

Maritime garter snake (a subspecies of 'common garter snake')Shorthead garter snake (University of Pittsburgh photo HERE)For more information, visit the Cortland Herpetology Connection.

7 Beautiful Common Snakes In California. Which Ones Can Kill You?

All snakes simply wish to be left alone, free to play their important role in the ecosystem. California and Washington, known for their diverse landscapes and wildlife, are home to a multitude of snake species. Seven of these common snakes in California are especially renowned for their beauty. The most common California snakes, ranging from the strikingly banded Kingsnake to the vibrant Garter Snake, capture the attention of nature enthusiasts and herpetologists alike. Do you know which type of snake can kill you?

California Snakes: Deadly Dangers and Essential Safety Precautions

It is crucial to remember that some of these serpents carry a potentially lethal bite, despite their mesmerizing allure. As we embark on this exploration of California's common snakes, we will also unveil the ones that pose a serious threat to humans, ensuring that your admiration of these creatures comes with an essential dose of caution and respect.

Gopher Snake via YouTube

Gopher Snake via YouTube 1. Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer)

These are the largest and most common snakes in California. They are non-venomous constrictors and are often mistaken for rattlesnakes due to their similar coloration and tendency to mimic rattling sounds when threatened.

2. Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)

This is a venomous snake that is common in California. This snake can be deadly. There are several subspecies including the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (pictured), and the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake.

3. California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula)

These are non-venomous snakes that are often kept as pets due to their easy-going nature. They have a striking pattern of black and white bands.

4. Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

These are small, harmless snakes that come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are named for their resemblance to the decorative garters used to hold up stockings.

5. Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus)

This is a small, non-venomous snake known for its distinctive coloration: a yellow or orange ring around the neck and a brightly colored underside.

6. Sharp-tailed Snake (Contia tenuis)

This is a small, non-venomous snake that is often found under rocks or logs. It has a sharp, pointed tail, hence the name.

7. Western Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor Mormon)

Despite the name, this snake is a non-venomous constrictor. It is known for its speed and its smooth, greenish-yellow, or blue-gray body with a yellow belly.

Always remember, if you encounter a snake in the wild, especially a rattlesnake, it is important to keep your distance and not attempt to handle it.

7 Beautiful Common Snakes in California

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Fish and Amphibians