How to Identify a Black and White Spotted Snake
If you are at a reptile center or out rambling, then you might want to identify the black and white spotted snake you encountered. In North America, the three most common black and white spotted snakes you will see are the pine snake, king snake and short-tailed snake. None of these snakes is harmful or venomous, however do be cautious when around wild snakes just in case it is misidentified, and it strikes. Observe the animal from a distance, otherwise you might startle it.
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Things You'll Need
- Snake identification book, such as "The New Encyclopaedia of Snakes" by Christopher Mattison, 2007 or "Snakes of the United States and Canada" by Carl H. Ernst and Evelyn M. Ernst, 2003
Instructions
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Confirm your location to determine what type of snake the black and white spotted reptile is. If you are in the wild, you are likely to see short-tailed snakes only in northern and central Florida. It is also a threatened species and quite rare to find. Both the pine and king snakes are found throughout the United States.
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Assess the size of the snake. Short-tailed snakes are between 1 and 1 1/2 feet in length, while king snakes have an average length of 4 feet. King snakes have a larger girth than short-tailed snakes, reaching up to 5 inches. Short tail snakes can be as thin as a pencil. Pine snakes range between 4 and 8 feet length. This is a good indication of the type of snake it is.
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Identify its colorings. Although it might be immediately identified as black and white, on closer inspection the snake could be dark brown or cream in color. The blotched king snake is glossy black and cream, while the short-tailed snake is a mixture of very dark grays, black, white and cream. You might even be able to see an orange stripe running down its back. The pine snake has spots varying from reddish brown to black in color. However, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, green anaconda, long-nosed snake and Mexican hognose have similar colorings so bear this in mind.
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Check the shape of the spots on the snake's skin. A pine snake has large brownish-black spots that almost look like bands along its body. The short-tailed snake has distinctive circular black blotches with clear patches of white in between them. King snakes vary in design. Some have colored spots or bands with black and white in between. However, the California king snake, white banded California king and blotched king snake all have bold black patches against creamy-white scales.
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Watch the snake and observe its behavior. An aggravated pine snake may flatten its head and hiss while it vibrates its tail. It can strike, although it is not venomous. The pine snake lives in a burrow so is more likely to return and hide than address you. In captivity, king snakes can be tamed through regular handling. It is quite a docile snake. In the wild, it is unlikely to be react to you, and more likely to simply slide out of sight. Short-tailed snakes are rarely seen above ground, suggesting they will quickly hide away from you if disturbed.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a snake guide book to look up pictures of snakes to help you identify the exact species of the black and white spotted snake you have seen.
Do not attempt to catch or handle snakes to avoid becoming victim to a dangerous bite.
Seek medical attention immediately if you do get bitten by a snake. Note down the size, color, pattern and location of the snake to help the medical personnel or snake expert to identify it.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
