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This site was created by students in the herpetology class at Towson University.  Site last updated: 05/21/07.

Acknowledgements: Herb Harris - Range Maps;  Mark Tegges - Photography; Dan Lapascha & Gigi Forester - TU Herpetology Logo

Queen snake

Description

This medium-sized snake (35-58 cm) is brown or dark green with a yellow stripe on scale rows 1-2.  The venter is yellow or whitish with four dark lengthwise stripes, which may be broken or partly obscured in older adults.  The scales are keeled, the anal plate is divided, and there are 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody.  Juveniles are colored similar to adults, but may show three stripes along the length of the back. 

Habitat

Queen snakes are uncommon, and are found around clear, spring-fed streams, or in shallow wetlands.  They rarely venture far from the water where they hunt their primary prey item, freshly molted crayfish.  

Breeding

Breeding takes place in the spring of each year after the snakes emerge from their streamside hibernacula.  Some breeding may occur in the fall, but fertilization and development is delayed until the snake becomes active again in the spring after hibernation.  Females will give birth to an average of 13 live young in August or early September, and the young are around 16 cm at birth.  Young females will not be sexually mature for three years, but males will be capable of breeding in just two. 

Distribution in Maryland

Range map adapted from Harris, 1975. 

Links

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/factsheets/herps/Quesnk.htm