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Reptile Gallery

Snakes

Colubridae - Colubrid family

Bull Snake (Gopher Snake) Pituophis melanoleucus

Light brown head.  Body has large dark  and smaller light bands on top; sides are spotted; underneath is pale.  This snake is often mistaken for a rattlesnake because it hisses and shakes its tail in dry grass to produce a rattle.  It constricts its prey.  Non-venomous. In the northern version, Pine Snake, the snake is much darker and less brown.  Head is not solid light brown but has small lines.  Body has large, widely spaced dark brownish-gray rectangles (can be solid) with lighter base color.  Side dots are irregular.

(Native of Texas)

Similar Species

Viperidae - Viper family

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox

Large diamond pattern: medium brown diamond with dark then light stripes around it.  Rattles on the tail.  Can strike several feet from a coiled or stretched position.  Venomous.

(Native of Texas)

Colubridae - Colubrid family

Great Plains Rat Snake Elaphe emoryi

Head has "V" eye stripe.  Dark patches and light stripes across body and down sides.  Non-venomous.

(Native of Texas)

Colubridae - Colubrid family

Pacific Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer

  Head brown on top, lighter underneath, narrow eye band.  Body has rectangular dark spots and narrow light stripes.  Sides has one row of dark spots.  Non-venomous.

(Native of Texas)

Colubridae - Colubrid family

Racer (Eastern Racer) Coluber constrictor var. flaviventris

Narrow fast snake, grows up to 60" long.  Angular head and smooth scales.  Olive-black on top with cream or yellow belly.  Non-venomous but will strike if cornered.  Eats insects, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.  Eggs hatch in the fall, 9"-12" long.

(Native of Texas)

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