Kirtland’s Snake

Scientific Name: Clonophis kirtlandii
Size: 14-24.5 in. (36-62 cm) in length
PA Status: Endangered Species

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
Kirtland’s adult from Monroe County, IN - By:Andrew Hoffman Kirtland’s adult from Monroe County, IN - By:Andrew Hoffman Kirtland’s adult from Monroe County, IN - By:Andrew Hoffman
Kirtland’s adult from Ripley County, IN - By:Andrew Hoffman

Range Map:
Kirtland’s 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