Milk Snake
A boldly patterned snake, the milk snake has a light gray to tan body covered with reddish-brown blotches bordered in black. Larger blotches on the back alternate with smaller ones on each side. The head is patterned, usually with a light colored "Y" or "V" within a reddish-brown patch. Smooth scales give this attractive snake a shiny or glossy appearance. The belly is patterned with an irregular checkerboard of black on white. Similarity of patterns causes some to confuse it with thecopperhead; however, the copperhead lacks any pattern on the head. Tail rattling may also lead some to mistake it for a rattlesnake, although the two species look quite different.
Mating generally occurs in May, with females depositing 3-24 eggs in June and July. Eggs are deposited under rocks, boards or other debris, in rotting vegetation, stumps or logs, or small mammal burrows, and usually hatch in August and September.
Woodlands, fields, rocky hillsides and borders of wetlands provide natural habitat for milk snakes. They are also commonly found around houses, barns and outbuildings. Small mammals are the preferred prey of milk snakes, who are able to enter burrows and consume young in their nests. Milk snakes routinely eat other snakes, and may also take birds and bird eggs, frogs, fish, earthworms, slugs and insects. Primarily nocturnal, milk snakes can be found during the day under rocks, logs, or other cover. Although they are not very aggressive, milk snakes will bite and spray musk if handled.
Mating generally occurs in May, with females depositing 3-24 eggs in June and July. Eggs are deposited under rocks, boards or other debris, in rotting vegetation, stumps or logs, or small mammal burrows, and usually hatch in August and September.
Woodlands, fields, rocky hillsides and borders of wetlands provide natural habitat for milk snakes. They are also commonly found around houses, barns and outbuildings. Small mammals are the preferred prey of milk snakes, who are able to enter burrows and consume young in their nests. Milk snakes routinely eat other snakes, and may also take birds and bird eggs, frogs, fish, earthworms, slugs and insects. Primarily nocturnal, milk snakes can be found during the day under rocks, logs, or other cover. Although they are not very aggressive, milk snakes will bite and spray musk if handled.
San Francisco garter snake
The San Francisco garter snake has been dubbed “the most beautiful serpent in North America,” and it’s arguably one of the most endangered species, too. All known populations of this fantastically colored snake occur in scarce coastal and bayside wetlands in San Mateo County. The snake’s preferred habitats have been hit hard by agricultural, residential, commercial, and even recreational development — so the Center is working to protect and restore habitat for this rare and unique turquoise serpent.
We’ve built a campaign to re-establish a unique backbarrier lagoon habitat at Sharp Park in Pacifica, California — public land that’s a significant habitat for the garter snake as well as its preferred prey, the California red-legged frog. In 2008, we filed a notice of intent to sue the city of San Francisco for illegally killing and harming San Francisco garter snakes at Sharp Park Golf Course. Along with adjacent Mori Point, which lies within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Sharp Park provides one of the last great restoration opportunities on California’s central coast.
Numerous toxic pesticides known or suspected to harm garter snakes are used in San Mateo County. The Center is changing the Environmental Protection Agency’s registration and authorization for use of 44 toxic pesticides in and upstream of habitats for San Francisco Bay Area endangered species, including the San Francisco garter snake. We continue to monitor and oppose harmful chemical pesticide use in California through our pesticides Reduction Campaign .
We’ve built a campaign to re-establish a unique backbarrier lagoon habitat at Sharp Park in Pacifica, California — public land that’s a significant habitat for the garter snake as well as its preferred prey, the California red-legged frog. In 2008, we filed a notice of intent to sue the city of San Francisco for illegally killing and harming San Francisco garter snakes at Sharp Park Golf Course. Along with adjacent Mori Point, which lies within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Sharp Park provides one of the last great restoration opportunities on California’s central coast.
Numerous toxic pesticides known or suspected to harm garter snakes are used in San Mateo County. The Center is changing the Environmental Protection Agency’s registration and authorization for use of 44 toxic pesticides in and upstream of habitats for San Francisco Bay Area endangered species, including the San Francisco garter snake. We continue to monitor and oppose harmful chemical pesticide use in California through our pesticides Reduction Campaign .
Spotted night snake
Size: Up to 26" but more commonly 12"-16"
Range in Texas: Throughout the Trans-Pecos, central and south Texas
Comments: The spotted night snake is probably the most common snake that I have found in Hudspeth County. It is my wife and daughter's favorite snake. I usually find these snakes crossing the road at night. I have kept them on occasion. They feed very well on a diet of small lizards. They have enlarged grooved teeth at the rear of their upper jaw that hold and inject lizards with mildly toxic saliva. I have never had one try to bite and are considered to be harmless. For a closer look click on the thumbnail below.
Range in Texas: Throughout the Trans-Pecos, central and south Texas
Comments: The spotted night snake is probably the most common snake that I have found in Hudspeth County. It is my wife and daughter's favorite snake. I usually find these snakes crossing the road at night. I have kept them on occasion. They feed very well on a diet of small lizards. They have enlarged grooved teeth at the rear of their upper jaw that hold and inject lizards with mildly toxic saliva. I have never had one try to bite and are considered to be harmless. For a closer look click on the thumbnail below.
Chequered Garter Snake
Size: Just under 4 ft. but most commonly around 2 ft.
Range in Texas: All but the Eastern portions of Texas
Comments: They are usually found near a water source but I have also found them in very arid locations. The largest that I have found was around 3.5 feet long. When encountered, they coil, swell up with air and try to look mean. Although I have had them bite, their main defense once picked up is to smear feces all over you and let me tell you, They stink!, and once you've been decorated, the smell stays for quite a while. This being said, I know allot of people that have kept them as pets. They calm down pretty well and eat the feeder gold fish that you can buy at any pet store. They also eat frogs and toads. Click on the thumbnail for a closer look.
Range in Texas: All but the Eastern portions of Texas
Comments: They are usually found near a water source but I have also found them in very arid locations. The largest that I have found was around 3.5 feet long. When encountered, they coil, swell up with air and try to look mean. Although I have had them bite, their main defense once picked up is to smear feces all over you and let me tell you, They stink!, and once you've been decorated, the smell stays for quite a while. This being said, I know allot of people that have kept them as pets. They calm down pretty well and eat the feeder gold fish that you can buy at any pet store. They also eat frogs and toads. Click on the thumbnail for a closer look.
Dog-Faced Water Snake
The dog faced water snake is a very common snake found in coastal areas, inhabiting swamps, mangroves, mudflats and even inland freshwater streams that feed directly into the sea around islands. It distribution extends past Southeast Asia to India and Northern Australia. In this region, it can be found in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Borneo and pretty much everywhere else.
It feeds on fish, crabs and other crustaceans. It moves across land by 'side-winding', and does so rather quickly when feeling threatened. The greyish brown body is covered with jagged dark bands while the eyes are upturned at the top. There is a dark stripe that extends from the eye to the base of the neck. The belly is mottled with dark patches on a cream base.
It feeds on fish, crabs and other crustaceans. It moves across land by 'side-winding', and does so rather quickly when feeling threatened. The greyish brown body is covered with jagged dark bands while the eyes are upturned at the top. There is a dark stripe that extends from the eye to the base of the neck. The belly is mottled with dark patches on a cream base.
Corn Snake
Corn snakes are relatively small, and as such, they do not require large enclosures. A baby corn snake can happily live in a ten gallon aquarium or enclosure of similar size. Some people choose to keep baby corn snakes in plastic shoeboxes with holes punched in the side. This type of enclosure is acceptable as long as appropriate heating is provided. Upon reaching full adult size (about three to four years), a corn snake will require an enclosure with the minimum dimensions of a standard twenty gallon long aquarium. Larger aquariums such as a thirty gallon breeder or fifty-five gallon tank are also appropriate. No matter whether your corn snake lives in a humble home or a palace, there are several important details to keep in mind when setting up your new pet.