Scientific Name: Clonophis kirtlandii
Size: 14-24.5 in. (36-62 cm) in length
PA Status: Endangered Species
PAHERP Resource: Have You Seen Me? Kirtland’s Snake

Habitat Type:
Open wetlands, marshes, canals, wet prairies, wet pastures, forested wetlands and floodplains, also urban ponds, parks, and vacant lots. May be found in burrows/crayfish holes, under leaf litter, logs, rocks, or other human debris.

Colorations:

• The dorsal background is grey to reddish brown, with four rows of dark brown to black round alternating blotches.
• The blotches per row are 44-51.
• The ventral is bright red to orange.
• The ventral scales have a border of 2 lateral rows of dark spots.

Characteristics:

• Medium-sized species.
• Semi-aquatic species.
• Short head.
• Head is not distinct from the body.
• Dorsal part of the head is black to brown.
• Light cream/white colored labial scales, chin and throat.
• Dorsal scales are strongly keeled.
• Fossorial species.

Scale Counts:

• 17 to 19 scale rows at midbody
• 19 scale rows at anterior
• 15-16 scale rows at posterior
• 121-137 ventral scales
• 44-64 subcaudals | 2 rows of subcaudals
• 2 nasal scales
• 1 loreal scale
• 1 preocular scale
• 2 postocular scales
• 1+2 temporal scales
• 6 supralabials
• 7 infralabials
• Anal plate is divided

Confused with:

• Red Bellied Snake
• Queen Snake.

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults from IN

Range Map:

References:

• Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 273-275pp.
• Ernst, Carl H. and Ernst, Evelyn M. ,2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. 74-77pp.

Photo Credits:

• Andrew Hoffman