The Queen Snake is similar in appearance to a Garter Snake, genus Thamnophis, so is often confused with that group. The Queen Snake is olive to gray or dark brown in overall coloration, with peach or yellow stripes that run down its length at the first scale row. There are also prominent ventral stripes of a darker colour and as no other species has stripes running down the length of its belly, this is an important feature in identifying this snake. In the young and juvenile snakes there are three extra stripes that run along the dorsal scales and down the length of the body at scale rows five and six.
Ten Facts about Queen Snake
- Queen Snakes are mid-sized - to 24 in (61 cm).
- Queen snakes range throughout Piedmont and mountainous regions of the eastern US, from the Great Lakes to central Louisiana.
- Queen snakes are most common in and around running water (streams and rivers), but are occasionally found in lakes or other aquatic habitats.
- Mating occurs in the spring and females give birth to 5 - 23 live offspring in the late summer.
- Predators of Queen Snakes are raccoons, otters, mink, hawks and herons.
- Prey including lizards, frogs, small mammals, and insects as well as centipedes.
- The young look like miniatures of their parents, although they are usually more boldly marked.
- If captured, the queen snake usually writhes around vigorously and expels musk.
- Queen snakes rarely bite, although some individuals may nip at their captor if roughly handled.
- Sexual maturity at 2-3 years of age.
