The Kirtland’s Snake is a small, non-venomous snake found in parts of the United States, particularly in the Midwest.
It has a distinctive appearance, with a reddish-brown or grey background color and three light-colored stripes running along its body.
This snake is often found in wetland habitats, such as marshes, meadows, and grasslands. It primarily feeds on slugs, earthworms, and other small invertebrates.
Kirtland’s snake is known for its secretive nature and is not frequently encountered due to its habitat preferences.
Kirtland’s Snake Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The Kirtland’s Snake belongs to the Colubridae or Colubrid family of snakes. This is the largest family of Snakes in the world consisting of many popular species such as Corn Snakes and Milk Snakes.
With around 250 different genera of Colubrids, these snakes can be found on every continent except Antarctica which also makes them the most widely distributed family of snake in the world.
The vast majority of Colubrid snakes are non-venomous, or at least contain a venom that isn’t considered to be medically significant to humans.
However, there are a number of species of Colubrid snakes that contain venom capable of killing humans. This includes species from the Boiga and Rhabdophis genera as well as other snakes such as the Boomslang.
Genus
The genus that the Kirtland’s Snake belongs to is called Clonophis and there is currently only one recognised species in this genus.
Species
The scientific name for the Kirtland’s Snake is Clonophis kirtlandii and there are currently no recognised sub-species.
The species was first described in 1856 by an American herpetologist named Robert Kennicott.
Kirtland’s Snake Description
The Kirtland’s Snake is a relatively small snake, usually reaching lengths of 10 to 15 inches (25-38cm), although some individuals may grow slightly larger.
Its body is slender and elongated, with a distinctively rounded head.
The most striking feature of this snake is the three light-colored stripes that run along its body.
These stripes are typically yellow or cream in color and are set against a background color that can vary from reddish-brown to grey.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Kirtland’s Snake is native to the Central and Eastern United States, with its range extending from the Great Lakes region in the north to parts of the Southeast.
It is most commonly found in states like Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
This snake is known to inhabit wetland areas, including marshes, meadows, bogs, and grasslands.
It prefers habitats with ample vegetation and moisture, where it can find its preferred prey.
Kirtland’s Snake Behaviour
The Kirtland’s Snake is primarily nocturnal and secretive in nature, spending much of its time hidden under cover objects like logs, leaves, and vegetation.
It is a relatively slow-moving snake and feeds on a diet of small invertebrates, such as slugs, earthworms, and soft-bodied insects.
These snakes give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. A typical litter consists of around four to eight offspring.