Scientific Name: Pantherophis obsoletus
Size: 40 -101 in. (102-257 cm) in length
PA Status: Abundant

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

Colorations:
Adults:

• The dorsal is black to dull brown with a trace of black blotches.
• The ventral white to yellow with a dark checkerboard pattern.
• The ventral may fade from white to grey or brown towards the tail.
• The labial scales, chin and throat are also white.

Juveniles:

• The dorsal background is white to yellow with a strong pattern of blotches.
• Blotches are grey, black or brown.
• Blotches alternate with smaller blotches on the sides.

Characteristics:

• Largest snakes in PA.
• Large, heavy bodies species.
• The head distinct from the body.
• Dorsal scales are weakly keeled.

Scale Counts:

• 23-27 scale rows at midbody
• 25 scale rows at anterior
• 17 or 19 scale rows near the vent
• 218-258 ventral scales
• 46-102 subcaudals | 2 rows of subcaudals
• 2 nasal scales
• 1 loreal scale
• 1 preocular scale
• 2 postocular scales
• 2+3-4 temporal scales
• 8 supralabial scales
• 11 infralabial scales
• Anal plate is divided or semi-divided

Confused with:

• Northern Racer
• Milk 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. 286-290pp
• Ernst, Carl H. and Ernst, Evelyn M. ,2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. 115-122pp.

Photo Credits:

• Jason Poston
• Billy Brown