Like other rat snakes, they grow to be very large, over six feet in length. Gray ratsnakes are widespread in the south. Eastern Foxsnakes are widespread in the north. The three species of ratsnakes have a decidedly regional basis. Wildlife officials often recommend that boaters avoid drifting under low hanging branches (their favorite basking places) in order to decrease the possibility that the snakes drop in for a ride. While Water Snake species are not venomous, many species are known to be ill tempered, and quick to bite when startled. The shorter and thicker body of the Water Moccasin can normally be used as field identification clues to distinguish between them. The venomous Water Moccasin shares a similar habitat and slightly resembles a few water snake species. Their dark, often blotched skin, helps them blend into their environment. Physically, water snake bodies grow anywhere from three to six feet in length. The Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) in the picture is the most common Illinois species. Plain-bellied Watersnakes are fairly common in the ponds and swamps in the south. Diamonback Watersnake habitat extends up the Mississippi along the western Illinois border. The Mississippi Green Watersnake and the Southern Watersnake, for example, live in only one or two counties along the southern Mississippi River. The five watersnake species add to Illinois snake diversity, but again aggregate numbers can be deceiving. They Yellow-bellied kingsnake is more common. Both the Black and Yellow-bellied species live in the southern half of the state. Two subspecies of the Eastern Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum), the Black Kingsnake and the Yellow-bellied Kingsnake. Three kingsnake species live in Illinois. As the name suggests, a turned up nose is a defining physical feature. All Hognose snake species are characterized as having thick bodies that can grow to four feet in length. Blue Racers, for example are common around the Great Lakes region, including Illinois.Įastern Hognose snakes (Heterodon platirhinos) are fairly common in areas with sandy soils throughout the state. Color is a common name applied to many of the species as well as the Black Racer.
In fact eleven different subspecies inhabit almost every state in the lower 48 states. Snake taxonomy changes.īlack Racer (Coluber constrictor) is the general name for one of the most widespread of all the snakes native to the United States.
Growing up to eight feet long, the Coluber genus of snakes called Coachwhip snakes, or whipsnakes, get their name from their long, whip like appearance. Officially people from the Lincoln Park Zoo claim they removed the area’s last population of Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes for breeding purposes. It’s still up for debate whether there are rattlesnakes in Cook County.
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