Common Name: 
Louisiana pine snake 

Scientific Name: 
Pituophis ruthveni

Identification: 25-60 inches. Pale tan with 
a row of large black or brown blotches down 
the back that get closer as they approach the tail; underside whitish with obscure brown spotting; scales keeled.

Habit: Pine snakes are found in open longleaf pine uplands. Their main diet is pocket gophers, so they spend a lot of time in gopher burrows.

Distribution: Upland areas of northern and central Louisiana.

Comments: Due to habitat loss and consequently smaller gopher populations, the pine snake is considered a vulnerable species. The pine snake is non-venomous.
	Pituophis melanoleucus, the black pine snake, is very rare, and has been found only in Washing-ton Parish. Over-all black, occassionally with light markings on chin; scales keeled. Black pine snakes are nonvenomous.