What does the queen snake look like?
The Queen Snake is 13 ½” inches to 25” inches in length. They range in tones of brownish to a dark deep green with a yellow to whitish belly with four stripes. On juveniles and adults that have recently shed you will find three dark stripes running down the back.
Where is the queen snake found in Montgomery County?
The Queen Snake is found near the clear water tributaries of the Potomac River. They are also found around lakes, streams, ponds, and shallow wetlands in Montgomery County. Snake removal companies and pest control companies have reported removing this snake species from Potomac, Cabin John, Needwood Lake outside of Derwood, Clopper Lake in Gaithersburg, Lake Bernard Frank in Rockville and the Little Seneca Lake and Gunners Lake in Germantown.
Is the queen snake venomous?
The queen snake is not a venomous species. This snake does not bite unless provoked.
What animals or wildlife prey on queen snakes?
The queen snake has many predators such as raccoons, hawks, owls, muskrats, and fox, snapping turtles and large birds.
What does the queen snake eat?
The queen snake primarily feeds on crayfish however they will eat other aquatic life such as minnows and tadpoles if crayfish are scarce.
What are the habits of the queen snake?
The queen snake is not commonly found in homes or buildings. This species roams during the day time except on hot summer days they come out in the evening as the sun sets. On cooler days they are often seen basking in the sun along rivers and streams. Queen snakes are sometimes found in koi ponds if the property is near one of Montgomery County’s many waterways. This species is predominately aquatic.
What are the hibernation habits of queen snake?
The queen snake hibernates from October to April. They hibernate in rocky crevices, borrows created by other animals, and hollow tree stumps that will protect them through the cold temperatures of winter.
What are the reproduction habits of the queen snake?
The queen snake breeds in the spring as they emerge from hibernation. Once breeding is complete the male and female separate and the male seeks other females to breed with. The female gives live birth to between 5 and 23 young sometime between July and September. The female does not stay with the young after they are born.