Barry Mansell photos.

Scientific name: Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus

Description: Adults average from 48-66 inches (122-168 cm). The record is 90 inches (228.6 cm). A large stocky snake with an indistinct pattern of reddish or dark tan blotches on a tan, brownish gray, or rusty brown ground color. The pattern of dark blotches is most distinct on the hind part of the body and the tail. Some individuals lack the blotched pattern (giving them an albino-like appearance) while others may have nearly black markings. The belly is uniformly ashy gray. There are 29 dorsal scale rows at midbody and the scales are keeled. The pupils are round. The snout is somewhat pointed and covered by a large triangular, almost cone-shaped, scale. There are four large scales on top of its snout, rather than two as in most other snakes. The juvenile pattern is similar to above but is brighter and less obscured towards the head.

Florida pine snake: Left to right: Top of the head; underside of the head (chin and throat).

Florida pine snake: Left to right: Side of the head; front (face view) of the head.

Range: The Florida pine snake is found throughout the state, excluding the Florida Keys, the Everglades, extreme southwest Florida, and immediately north of Lake Okeechobee. Outside of Florida it ranges through southwestern and eastern Georgia to southern South Carolina.

Habitat: Not common anywhere, this subspecies requires dry sandy soils for burrowing. It is found most often in open pine-turkey oak woodlands and abandoned fields, and also in scrub, sandhills, and longleaf pine forest.

Comments: . When disturbed, the Florida pine snake will inflate and rear its forebody off the ground while hissing very loudly. Due to the alteration and fragmentation of much of Florida's upland habitats, the pine snake is no longer found in some areas of its range and is declining in others. It is listed as a 'Species of Special Concern' by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The Florida pine snake feeds primarily on pocket gophers, which it pursues by forcing its way into their underground burrows. Other small mammals, lizards, and reptile eggs are also eaten. It may occasionally climb trees in search of birds and their nests. However, it is this species dependence on pocket gophers that likely limits it to sandy soiled habitats. Florida Pine Snakes spend most of their time underground in pocket gopher or gopher tortoise burrows.

Breeding occurs in spring and 4-8 large, whitish eggs are laid in pocket gopher burrows during mid to late summer. The 18-20 inch (46-51 cm) young hatch in September-October.

Comparison with other species: The rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta) are yellow, tan or orange with 4 dark stripes, or they are white to gray with dark gray blotches. They also lack the enlarged triangular scale on the snout. The eastern coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) has a dark head and neck grading into a tan body and tail; it also lacks the enlarged snout scale, and has smooth scales.

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Checklist of Florida Amphibians and Reptiles — Florida Herpetology