Scientific Name: Thamnophis brachystoma
Size: 18-26 inches (46-66 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern

Habitat Type:
Open country, dense woodlands, old fields, meadows, and wood/field borders. May be found under stones, rocks, logs, boards, and other debris, but is often seen out moving or basking.

Colorations:
Adults:

• The dorsal background is olive to olive brown.
• The dorsal has one vertebral and two lateral stripes.
• The vertebral stripe is bright beige to yellow that is distinct from the background.
• The lateral stripes are dull and not set off from the background.
• The stripes are bordered by small back spots.
• The ventrals are tan to dark greenish gray.
• The head coloration is similar to the dorsal background.
• The supralabials are separated by a dark margin.
• The chin and throat are cream to yellow.

Juveniles:

• Similar to adults.

Characteristics:

• Small to medium-sized species
• The head is not distinct from the body and looks to small for the body.
• Dorsal scales are keeled.

Scale Counts:

• 17 scale rows at midbody
• 131-146 ventral scales
• 51-75 subcaudals scales | 2 rows of subcaudals
• 1 loreal scale
• 1 preocular scale
• 2-3 postoculars scales
• 2 temporal scales
• 6 supralabials
• 7-8 infralabials
• Anal plate is divided

Confused with:

• Ribbon Snake
• Garter Snake
• Queen Snake

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults

Range Map:

References:

• Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 328-331pp.
• Ernst, Carl H. and Ernst, Evelyn M. ,2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. 367-371pp.

Photo Credits:

• Rex Everett
• Nicholas Sly