The Northern Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) is a harmless snake we think lives in a few counties in Virginia. It's official conservation and management status is "undetermined." This past week I attended my first meeting of the Virginia Herpetological Society (VHS) a great organization dedicated to protection and conservation of herps (reptiles and amphibians). One of the presentations focused on research from Virginia Tech, led by Professor Hamed, looking for this species of snake.
Photo credit: FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (link)
Research assistant Sam Van Noy presented on the study's methodology and outcomes so far. The study will be done over three years and has multiple components - a video capture process, regular in-person surveys, boards, and a citizen science component. Below is a poster that the team circulated to ask the public to report any sightings. Over the first year, the team identified a number of snakes, reptiles, and mammals even, but they did not yet find any evidence of a pinesnake.
The citizen science component was a bit more successful. Most of the images submitted to the research team were incorrect identifications - but there was one photograph submitted from a credible source that depicts a found Northern Pinesnake in Virginia from 2013. This was very exciting because prior to this effort, the last reported sighting was in 1989!
According to the VHS, this snake may be living in Augusta, Bath, Botetourt or Craig County. The reason the Northern Pinesnake is so elusive is that it is a fossorial snake - meaning that it spends most of its time underground. Some fear this snake may no longer live in Virginia - as its habitat is specialized. As you may have already guessed - this snake is most often found in pine groves (which can grow in sandier soil) because it is easier for the snake to burrow in sandier soils. There is also some concern that this snake may be more likely to be killed because its defense mechanism is to hiss loudly. Some locals refer to this species as the bull snake. It can be intimidating but this is not a venomous species.
If you want to see one close up, the Potomac Overlook Nature Center is home to a Northern Pinesnake named Al.
You can help advance science! If you come across a black, white and cream snake in Virginia, either alive or deceased, please follow these instructions below. Remember this is a harmless snake, while it will likely hiss, it does not have venom.
- Try to take a photograph or video of the snake.
- Photograph the snake’s head and/or back.
- Please note the location, time, and date of your observation. You can provide street numbers or coordinates.
- Please note the characteristics of the area where you found the snakes. Please note the characteristics of the area where you found the snakes including the types of trees and soil.
Then submit your photo and information to khamed@vt.edu.
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