Scientific Name: Coluber constrictor constrictor
Size: 36 – 60 in. (90 – 152 cm) in length
PA Status: Abundant

Habitat Type:
Meadows, old fields, farmland, open wooded areas, rock crevices, rock formations. May be found under logs, stumps, boards, and other debris.

Colorations:
Adults:

• The dorsal is shiny black to bluish with no pattern.
• The ventral is a dark grey to black.
• 1 to 6 lower supralabials are white or white speckled with black.

Juveniles:

• The dorsal background is grey to light brown with a series of narrow blotches that extend to the sides.
• Blotches are grey to reddish brown with a border of dark grey or black.
• Dorsal of the head is dark brown becoming white at suprlabials.
• The ventral is light white with semicircular grey to black blotches.
• Chin and throat are white, light grey, or tan.

Characteristics:

• Large, slender species.
• The head slightly distinct from the body.
• Large eyes with round pupils
• Dorsal scales are large and smooth.

Scale Counts:

• 17 scale rows at midbody and anterior
• 15 scale rows at posterior
• 151-193 ventral scales
• 66-120 subcaudals | 2 rows of subcaudals
• 2 nasal scales
• 1 loreal scale
• 2 preocular scales
• 2 postocular scales
• 2+2+2 temporal scales
• 7-8 supralabials
• 8-9 infralabials
• Anal plate is divided

Confused with:

• Rat Snake
• Garter snake

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults

Juveniles:

Range Map:

References:

• Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 275-279pp
• Ernst, Carl H. and Ernst, Evelyn M. ,2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. 77-78pp.

Photo Credits:

• Billy Brown
• Scott Moser
• Dave Emma
• Bob Hamilton