Stats

Lifespan

10-15 yrs

Size

Large

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Diurnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Temperate forest

Range

North America

Movement

Slithering

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Camouflage

Status

Common

About

This nonvenomous snake lives in the forests and rocky outcrops of North America. It can vibrate its tail against dry leaves to mimic the sound of a rattlesnake.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   hatchling

   A miniature snake emerges from the egg or from its mother (live-bearers), already venomous or strong-coiled in some species.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile sheds its skin, grows quickly, and hunts smaller prey than the adults.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult length and pattern.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Squamata

Family

Colubridae

Genus

Pantherophis

Species

Pantherophis alleghaniensis