- Where to see one
- 3 U.S. zoos in our directory hold northern pine snake, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
Conservation status
Not Evaluated
This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.
About the northern pine snake
The pine snake, Pituophis melanoleucus, is a large nonvenomous colubrid native to the southeastern United States, with the northern pine snake as its nominate subspecies. Adults reach 120 to 230 cm in total length and are powerfully built, with a small pointed head and black, brown or reddish-brown blotches on a light ground colour. It lives in pine flatwoods, sandy pine-oak woodlands and open brushland with well-drained sandy soil. The snake hunts rats, mice, moles and eggs, often entering rodent burrows. When disturbed it hisses loudly, may flatten its head and vibrate its tail, and may strike. Females lay three to 24 eggs between June and August.
Northern Pine Snake facts
- It makes its hiss by forcing air out of the lungs to vibrate the epiglottis.
- Pine snakes in New Jersey hibernate communally, while those in Tennessee hibernate alone.
- Several females may lay eggs together in one communal nest.
- Eggs hatch after 64 to 79 days of incubation, and the best incubation temperature is 26-28 C.
Where to see northern pine snake in the U.S.
3 zoos across 3 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 3 zoos holding northern pine snake by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
District of Columbia· 1
Illinois· 1
Maryland· 1
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
