Gophersnakes and Pine Snakes | Herps of Texas

Pituophis catenifer

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pituophis catenifer

Common Name. Gophersnake

General information. A commonly encountered snake, Pituophis catenifer is seen as a highly beneficial, non-venomous predator. They feed heavily on mice and are frequently seen around areas of agriculture, areas which attract many rodents which are viewed as pests. Not only are mammals eaten, but many birds, bird eggs, and lizards are also taken as prey by P. catenifer. They have been occassionally found in the low branches of trees and the upper portions of cacti ostensibly looking for bird nests full of eggs. When molested, P. catenifer will often vibrate its tail and take large amounts of air into its lungs. After gulping this air, the snake expels it rapidly through its glottis and modified epiglottis to make a loud hissing noise, enough to scare off most would-be predators. With persistant disturbance, P. catenifer will strike out at its aggressor from an S-shaped coil (not unlike that of a rattlesnake), biting and causing minor wounds in the attacker’s soft flesh.

Protected status. The Gophersnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Dorsal scales are keeled, especially along the spine (usually in rows of 31 or 33 at midbody) Anal plate is undivided.

Coloration. Head is a yellowish tan, with a brown stripe running between the eyes Top of head often speckled with brown spots of pigment Number of dorsal blotches is generally greater than 40, with the blotches on the tail forming a striking crossband pattern. Belly is either white, yellow, or cream colored with dark flecks of pigment scattered throughout the ventral surface.

General distribution. Pituophis catenifer is found from the West Coast to the southcentral states of the U.S., as well as into adjacent northern Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Pituophis catenifer throughout most of Texas, save the eastern quarter of the state.

Habitat. Pituophis catenifer is a common inhabitant of the deserts and grasslands of the midwest,

Reproduction. Courtship takes place in the spring and the large, white eggs (clutch size between 3-22) are laid in the soil during June and July. Hatchlings emerge in the early fall months after an incubation of about two months, measuring 33-44 cm (13-17 in).

Size. Pituophis catenifer is a large bodied snake, reaching average lengths of 1-1.5 m (3-5 ft), with a record individual measuring 233 cm (92 in).

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Pituophis ruthveni

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pituophis ruthveni

Common Name. Louisiana Pine Snake

General information. Pituophis ruthveni is non-venomous, constricting its prey (mammals and amphibians) until the prey’s subsequent suffocation. Not much is known about the natural history of this animal, especially as its primary habitat of mature piney woods is much less abundant today than it was around the turn of the century. Although it is called a pinesnake, this large snake is strictly terrestrial, seeking to burrow into the sandy soils found in its habitat rather than to climb trees. Pinesnakes are also famous for their “fierce” defensive posture: an S-shaped coil raising the head above the rest of the body, tail vibrating, and a loud hissing noise being produced by air rushing past the snake’s epiglottis.

Protected status. Pituophis ruthveni is listed as endangered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is therefore protected by the state of Texas.

Diagnostic features. Undivided anal plate Rough, keeled scales (in rows of 27 to 33 at midbody) Enlarged rostral scale, modified for a burrowing lifestyle

Coloration. Tan-yellow dorsal background with contrasting chocolate brown saddles found along the center of the back Differing amounts of black pigmentation may be present dorsally as well, obscuring the saddles along the anterior third of the snake. Amount of dorsal black pigmentation is variable throughout the species' geographic range (snakes found in Louisiana often much darker than those from Texas) Fewer than 40 blotches are found along the back, with the alternating brown blotches and yellow background seen on the tail giving a banded appearance. Ventral scales are yellow or white with black spots present medially, as well as along the dorsal scale border.

General distribution. Pituophis ruthveni is only found in western Louisiana and east Texas.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Pituophis ruthveni is restricted to the remaining piney woods of east Texas.

Habitat. The Louisiana Pinesnake is a secretive snake found in the piney woods of eastern Texas; Pituophis ruthveni is not a frequently encountered snake, with the majority of individuals being found on roadways in the early morning and early evening.

Reproduction. The Louisiana Pine Snake lays eggs, though almost nothing else is known about their reproductive natural history.

Size. Adult Pituophis ruthveni average 122-142 cm [48-56 in]) in length.