Description
A medium-sized snake with smooth scales, an undivided anal scale, seven upper labials, a relatively thick neck and roughly cylindrical head, and a variable color pattern; dorsum tan, grayish-brown, or yellowish-brown with black-edged, dark brown to reddish brown or greenish blotches along back and two alternating rows of smaller, less distinct blotches on the sides; top of head has a V-shaped arrowheadlike marking; young generally are strongly blotched; older individuals may have pattern obscured by dark pigment, and some develop four dusky longitudinal stripes; belly white or yellowish, checked, spotted, or clouded with brown; 21-27 dorsal scale rows (number varies geographically); adult total length generally 76-107 cm, maximum 143 cm (Behler and King 1979, Smith and Brodie 1982, Conant and Collins 1991).
Diagnostic Characteristics
Differs from rat snakes (Elaphe) in having unkeeled dorsal scales and a single (vs. divided) anal scale. Differs from glossy snake (arizona) in having a brown-marked belly rather than a plain white one. Differs from milk snake (L. triangulum) in having blotches that are smaller and farther apart (dorsal blotches not reaching 5th scale row vs. reaching at least the 5th scale row) and a brown-marked (vs. boldly black-marked) belly (Conant and Collins 1991, Smith and Brodie 1982).
Habitat
Habitats include various open and semiopen areas, including weedy fields, farmland, barnyards, pastures, prairies, rocky hillsides, thickets, open woodland, sandhills, pine flatwoods, landward side of barrier beaches, coastal salt-grass savannas, marsh borders, and residential areas (Palmer and Braswell 1995, Werler and Dixon 2000, Ernst and Ernst 2003). This secretive snake (especially females) spends much time underground or under surface cover. Eggs are laid in an underground cavity (Behler and King 1979).
Reproduction
Lays clutch of 5-17 eggs, June-July. Eggs hatch August- September. Sexually mature in 2nd or 3rd year (Collins 1982).