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Ringneck Snake

Key identification points:
1) Our only other snake with a ringed neck is a juvenile Brown Snake.

Description: Pretty little snake, dark above with bright yellow to red ring around neck and yellow to red belly.

Habitat: Rocky hillsides in open woodlands to dry prairies.

Diet: Earthworms mostly but also takes insects and tiny amphibians or reptiles.

Size: Typical adult length: 25-38 cm (10-15 in); Maximum 15.5 inches

Natural History: This small snake normally remains hidden during the day and emerges to hunt at night. Often found under rocks, logs or boards in spring and early summer (April to June), but as summer heats up and the soil dries out, this snake can be hard to find. Ringnecks are spotty in distribution, in one area they may reach 300 individuals per acre but in another, apparently suitable habitat, they can be uncommon.

When startled a ringneck often coils its tail and exposes its bright underside (see picture). If the attack is pressed it can excrete stinky stuff from the 'rear end'. At other times a ringneck may simply play dead when attacked.

Two herpetologists (Rossi and Rossi) noticed a very strange behavior from a Ringneck Snake. They watched as a much larger snake attacked and swallowed a ringneck. The ringneck was swallowed tail first. At the last second, just as the ringneck's head disappeared down the larger snakes mouth, it bit and held on to the inside of the larger snake's mouth. A nasty surprise, the larger snake was now stuck. After sixteen hours the larger snake died and the ringneck crawled out and went on its way.

Although not dangerous to humans, the Ringneck Snake may be mildly poisonous! They tend to strike and hold on to tiny vertebrate prey. After an hour or two the prey is dead or paralyzed. This has led scientists to speculate that the saliva of the ringneck may be toxic.

Racer

Adult Racer Young Racer

Description: Adults Racers in Nebraska are typically greenish or olive. However in extreme eastern Nebraska dark blue individuals can be found. Juveniles (below 20 inches) have 65-97 spots down the body and numerous spots on the belly.

Habitat: Prairies, grasslands, open brushy fields and open woods.

Size: Typical adult length: 76-127 cm (30-50 in); Maximum 42 inches

Diet: Insects, frogs, lizards, snakes, and small mammals.

Natural History: Very fast moving, slender snake that is active during the day. Unlike a rattlesnake that is a 'sit and wait' predator, the Racer actively pursues a wide variety of prey.

Adults Racers use their speed to try to escape humans, however the spotted juvenile Racers will sometimes try to mimic rattlesnakes by vibrating their tail and striking. This might be a good idea against some predators, but it may well encourage humans to kill Racers because they are mistaken for rattlesnakes.

Although not as viscous as the Coachwhip, the Racer will readily bite and defecate foul liquids if handled. The bite of the Racer may break the skin, but poses little threat except by infection. The bite of this and any nonpoisonous snake should be promptly given first aid.

Black Rat Snake

Adult Black Rat Snake Young Black Rat Snake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) Common Kingsnake has light spots in middle of scales, Black Rat Snakes have light skin between dark scales or scales edged with light color.

Description: Adults typically shiny black; may show traces of a blotched or spotted pattern; skin between scales may be white, yellow, or red; Juveniles have 29-32 blotches along the body. As the snake matures, black pigment obscures the pattern.

Habitat: Rocky wooded hillsides areas near creeks and rivers.

Size: Typical adult length: 107-183 cm (42-72 in); Maximum: 75 inches.

Diet: Lizards, snakes, frog, birds eggs, small birds and mice; kills by constriction.

Natural History: One of the largest snake found in Nebraska. The Rat Snakes hunts by day except in the hottest days of summer. While it normally hunts on the ground the rat snake is a good climber and can be found hunting in trees where it often plunders eggs in bird's nests. When approached the rat snake may vibrate its tail in alarm. If handled this snake often strikes and bites.

Living up to its name the Black Rat Snake consumes large numbers of rodents and is considered beneficial. However common names don't always hold true. This snake is also referred to as the Pilot Blacksnake here in Nebraska. The myth was that rat snakes would guide rattlesnakes back to their dens in the fall (pilot meaning guide).

Great Plains Rat Snake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) Bullsnake more boldly patterned on tail, look for nearly black rings contrasting strongly with tan background. Anal scale undivided.
2)Fox Snake and Young Black Rat Snake normally lack arrowhead pattern on head.
3) Prairie Kingsnake has undivided anal scale.

Description: Tan or gray body with 41-56 brown blotches edged with black down the middle of the back. Anal scale is divided. Scales weakly keeled on middle of back, scales of sides are smooth.

Habitat: Rocky draws and hillsides normally near water.

Size: Typical adult length: 61-91 cm (24-36 in); Maximum 62 inches

Diet: Rodents, lizards, snakes and small birds; kills by constriction.

Natural History: This rat snake hunts largely in the evening and night. Like our other rat snakes, the Great Plains Rat Snake will vibrate its tail when alarmed and may bite and defecate if handled. However this species seems less aggressive than our other rats snakes. This snake is considered beneficial as it eats large numbers of rodents. This snake is often called the Corn Snake in Nebraska.

Common Kingsnake

Adult Common Kingsnake Young Common Kingsnake

Key identification points and similar species: 1) Light speckles on scales distinctive. In Black Rat Snake the light pattern sometimes seen is light skin between dark scales. In Common Kingsnake look for light dot in center of scale, not light at edges of scales.

Description: Black with a yellow spot in the center of most scales; chain-like patterns can be apparent in young.

Habitat: Open woodlands and grasslands, particularly wetter sites.

Size: Typical adult length: 91-114 cm (36-45in); Maximum 50 inches

Diet: Lizards, snakes, birds and small mammals, kills by constriction.

Natural History: Kills by constriction. When disturbed snake may vibrate tail. In hottest times of summer this snake will hunt at night, otherwise it hunts during the day. Kingsnakes consume a wide variety of prey, but they are most famous for eating other snakes. They are immune to the poison of rattlesnakes and will eat them. Kingsnakes are powerful constrictors and can attack and kill snakes larger than themselves and sometimes too large to eat.

Prairie Kingsnake

Key identification points and similar species: 1)Bullsnake more boldly patterned on tail, look for nearly black rings.

Description: Olive brown to tan with 45-57 brown spots along body; belly is yellowish with dark brown blotches.

Habitat: Grassland prairies and open woodlands.

Size: Typical adult length: 76-107 cm (30-42 in); Maximum 42 inches

Diet: Small mammals, Lizards, snakes and birds; kills by constriction.

Natural History: Kills by constriction. When disturbed may vibrate its tail. In hottest times of summer this snake will hunt at night, otherwise it hunts during the day.

Bullsnake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) Glossy Snake belly is creamy and unmarked. Tail not as boldly patterned.
2) Great Plains Rat Snake has arrowhead pattern on head and divided anal scale.
4) Fox Snake and young Black Rat Snake have divided anal scale.
3) Prairie Kingsnake has smooth not keeled scales. Tail not as boldly patterned.
5) In young blotched Racer the blotches spots fade away towards tail.

Description: Base color yellowish, with reddish-brown to black blotches on back; belly cream with brown or black blotches. Boldly patterned tail is banded with black (dark brown) and tan.

Habitat: Grasslands, open woodlands and farmlands.

Size: Typical adult length: 127-183 cm (50-72 in); Maximum 88 inches.

Diet: Small mammals, birds, and eggs.

Natural History: One of the largest and most often seen snakes of Nebraska. Bullsnakes may vibrate tail when alarm, which may sound like a rattlesnake, also makes a hissing noise. However, they may from time to time get hit over the head with a hoe for doing too effective a job of acting like a rattlesnake. Bullsnakes should not be killed as they are of no danger to humans and eat large numbers of rodents. For all their fierce display if handled gently they quickly become tame.

Bullsnakes usually seize prey with their mouth and, if the prey is large, wrap several coils around them, and kill by constriction. Like many snakes they tend to hunt in the morning and evenings except at the hottest times of the summer when they are more active at night.

Because they consume so many rodents these snakes are normally considered beneficial (Collins and Collins considered it the most beneficial snake in Kansas). However they are also excellent at finding and eating duck eggs and this has put them at odds with game managers in Nebraska. While some control of Bullsnakes has been attempted to help duck production, it has been abandoned as ineffective and undesirable.

Milk Snake

Key identification points and similar species: 1) Variable in color patterned, most recognizable is banded form. In blotched form look for red blotches ringed by black.
2) Great Plains Rat Snake, Fox Snake and young Black Rat Snake all have divided anal scale.
3) Prairie Kingsnake lacks red botches edged in black.

Description: This species exhibits considerable variation; three races have been described in Nebraska. Typically a gray or tan with bold red blotches ringed with black.

Habitat: State wide species found in many habitats from woodlands to grassy areas to brushy areas.

Size: Typical adult length: 41-71 cm (16-28 in); Maximum 32 inches.

Diet: Small mammals, lizards, snakes and birds; kills by constriction.

Natural History: Perhaps our most beautiful snake, however the brightly colored bands makes this snake look like a poisonous coral snake (there are no coral snakes in Nebraska). Their beauty makes Mike Snakes desirable pets. Some commercial collecting is done in the state (by permit from Nebraska Game and Parks) but the reported number taken are low.

The Milk Snake hunts at night, but may be seen in the day. More often they are discovered when logs, boards or rocks are being turned. As with many snakes, the Milk Snake will strike, bite, defecate and vibrate tail when threatened. However if handled gentle this snake quickly calms down and rarely bites.

The common name Milk Snakes comes from the myth that these snakes hang around barn yards and secretly milk cows for their suppers. Just how such a tall tale got started is unknown.

Northern Watersnake

Key identification points and similar species: 1) Belly is marked with half moon spots that can be brown, red, orange, or black. Dark cross bands on the neck and fore section of body; dark blotches down rest of body.

Description: Exhibits great deal of color variation. Base color tan to dark brown. Dark blotches vary from bright red to brown to black.

Habitat: Swamps, marsh, pond, stream, or lake border.

Size: 61-107 cm (24-42 in)

Diet: Fish, amphibians, and crayfish.

Natural History: Unlike most other snakes, watersnakes bear live young. Newly captured snakes emit a foul musk from the anal gland. Non-venomous, but will strike when captured; small recurved teeth can leave deep scratches.

Graham's Crayfish Snake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) Our gartersnakes and the Lined Snake all have a light stripe running down middle of the back.
2) Worm Snake has red-pink not yellow sides.

Description: Chocolate brown with subtle cream stripes low on the body. Subtle darker stripes also appear in along the back. Belly is cream with a row of dark spots down the center.

Habitat: Shaded edges of streams and lakes.

Size: 46-71 cm (18-28 in).

Diet: Crayfish.

Natural History: Named for James Duncan Graham, an engineer with the U.S. and Mexican Boundary Survey in the 1850’s.

Brown Snake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) Redbelly Snake has red belly not white or pinkish. Also note pale spots on the neck at the base of the head.

Description: Pale brown with faint dark blotches and a wide lighter pale stripe down the center of the back. Belly is light cream to pinkish. Sides of the head are pale with a dark vertical bar behind eyes. Dark spots form a row along the sides of the center stripe. Frequently, there is another row of smaller spots lower on the sides that alternate with the upper spots. In some specimens the markings are very faint.

Habitat: Moist woodlands.

Size: 23-33 cm (9-13 inches).

Diet: Earthworms, slugs and insects.

Natural History: While this snake is fairly common in the Eastern United States, it is relatively rare in Nebraska. Diet consists of slugs, earthworms, and insects. The young of this species are born alive, rather than hatching from eggs. When captured this snake may excrete a musky substance from their anal scent glands, however, this is not as offensive as in some other garter and watersnakes.

Plains Garter Snake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) Common Garter Snake has red on back.

Description: Orange stripe down the middle of the back and yellowish stripes along the sides of the body.

Habitat: Widespread

Diet: frogs, fish, salamanders, and insects.

Size: 38-71 cm (15-28 inches)

Natural History: The most common snake in Nebraska; also the only striped snake found in most locations throughout the state. The largest individuals in Nebraska come from the western edge of the sandhills, whereas the smallest individuals come from eastern Nebraska.

Red-sided Garter Snake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) Plains Garter Snake has no red on back.

Description: Olive, brown, or black; yellow stripe down the center of the back, and yellow or olive-yellow stripes down the sides. Irregular black and brick red markings occur between the stripes.

Habitat: Typically near water sources, however can be found in a variety of habitats.

Diet: Fish, tadpoles, frogs, and insects.

Size: 51-66 cm (20-26 in)

Natural History: Similar to all gartersnakes, the common gartersnake bears live young.

Western Ribbon Snake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) Plains Garter Snake has black bars on the upper lip (unmarked in Western Ribbon Garter Snake). Plains Garter Snake has bolds rows of dark spots on back (Western Ribbon Garter snake is not spotted).
2) Common Garter Snake has red on back.

Description: Black with a narrow orange stripe down middle of back, lighter stripes along the sides of the body. Lacks distinct spots. Lips do not have black markings.

Habitat: Semiaquatic; found around streams, ponds, and lakes.

Diet: frogs, fish, salamanders, and insects.

Size: 51-75 cm (20-30 inches)

Natural History: As in all gartersnakes, the western ribbon snake bears live young; averaging 12 in a litter.

Lined Snake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) A small striped snake, similar to a garter snakes, with a disproportionately small head; double row of black half-moons down the belly.

Description: Dark brown with three narrow yellowish stripes; each stripe is bordered by a faint black line. Belly with double row of half-moon markings.

Habitat: Various; usually found under rocks, logs, or other debris.

Diet: Earthworms.

Size: 22-38 cm (8.75-15 in)

Natural History: A shy, secretive snake; bear 2-12 live young.

Massasauga

Poisonous Snake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) Dark brown spots down back, sides spotted with three rows of blotches distinguishes from Timber Rattlesnake, the only other rattlesnake that also occurs in SE Nebraska

Description: Numerous dark brown blotches on a gray or gray-brown background. The tail banded light and dark. The pupil is elongate and vertical. There is a special sensory pit on side of head between eye and nostril.

Diet: Small frogs, lizards, snakes and mammals.

Size: 7-30 inches long, our smallest rattlesnake.

Habitat: Grassy fields and prairies, in our areas is most abundant in wet sites.

Natural History: When disturbed this snake typically sounds a warning by rattling their tail. Nonpoisonous snakes such as the Bullsnake may mimic this behavior by vibrating their tail against vegetation. However, only the poison rattlesnake has the specialize sound producing rattle on the tip of its tail.

Special sensory pits are used to 'see' infrared light. This makes the pit a heat detector and allows this snake to hunt warm blooded small mammals in total darkness.

Massasauga do not lay eggs, females give live birth 3-13 snakes. The young have a simple button rattle. Rattle segments are added each time the snakes sheds its skin. Warning: new born rattlers are small, but they are venomous.

Timber Rattlesnake

Poisonous Snake

Key identification points and similar species:
1) Rattle
2) Body marked with jagged bands, lacks the numerous round blotches of smaller Massasauga, the only other rattlesnake that also occurs in SE Nebraska.
3) Often a reddish stripe down the back.
4) Tail black in adults

Description: Dark brown spots that often merge to form rough bands on a tan to gray back. Top of head fairly plain unlike the bold patterns seen in the Massasauga. Often a reddish stripe down the back.

Size: 11-60 inches long, the biggest of our rattlers.

Habitat: Prefers forested areas with rocky outcrops.

Diet: Small mammals and other small vertebrates.

Natural History: When disturbed the Timber Rattlesnake typically sounds a warning by rattling its tail. This snake has likely been extirpated in many areas of eastern Nebraska. Some of the reduction of this species may be due to habitat loss, but much of it probably results from snakes being kill on sight by humans.

Timber rattlesnakes often hibernate in large dens during the winter. Such dens may contain hundreds of rattlesnakes. This behavior tends to concentrate snakes in small areas as the emerge from their dens in the spring.

Special sensory pits are used to 'see' infrared light. This makes the pit a heat detector and allows this snake to hunt warm blooded small mammals in total darkness.

This snake is a 'sit and wait' predator. It often coils up and waits quietly for its prey to come within striking distance. Camouflage coloration makes this motionless snake difficult to see. Care should be taken when in rattlesnake habitat to watch your step and look before putting your hand near ground.

Timber Rattlesnakes do not lay eggs, females give live birth to 11 inch snakes. The young have a simple button rattle. Rattle segments are added each time the snakes sheds its skin. Warning: new born rattlers are small, but they are venomous.