Post on 14-Dec-2015
Tertiary Consumers Eat mice, birds, other
snakes, lizards, frogs, fish
Helpful in controlling rodent populations
Cryptic
• 37 species in NC• 6 venomous species
• Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Coral Snake, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and Pygmy Rattlesnake
• Majority of species are not venomous
Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi)
• Pale stripe down back• Row of small dark
spots along sides• Found in flowerbeds
(mistaken for baby copperheads)
• Eat slugs, earthworms, snails
Eastern King Snake (Lampropeltis getula)
Strong constrictors: eat rodents, small turtles, salamanders, snakes (venomous and non venomous)
Diurnal and often found on farms/suburban areas
Immune to the venom of pitvipers (copperhead, cottonmouth, rattlesnakes)
Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) Heavy-bodied Confused with
Cottonmouths Front crossbanded but the
bands begin to alternate on middle and posterior portions of the body
Diurnal and nocturnal When threatened, they
flatten bodies/spread jaws to make themselves appear larger
Aggressive
Black Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta) Highly variable in color Keeled scales, white and black
markings on belly Constrictors: eat mice/rats, birds,
eggs Arboreal Common in populated areas-
occasionally found in chimneys, attics, and basements.
Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) Quick and aggressive Smooth scales, large
eyes, some have whitish chin
Chase down prey: rodents, lizards, insects, other snakes, frogs
Diurnal
Rat Snake
Rat Snake
Racer
Racer
Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) Most common venomous
snake in NC Heavy bodied Dark brown hourglass shaped
marks Babies have a yellow/green
tail used to lure in prey Often found in established
neighborhoods Vibrate tail when disturbed Bite is painful but rarely fatal
Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus)
• Pinkish/whitish bellies that extends partially up sides
• Sharp points on tail• Small head for
burrowing after insects/earthworms
• Most active at night-found in rotting logs but may burrow deep into the soil during dry spells
• Never bite but wiggle a TON
Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata)
Square blotches on back
Young have darker blotches
Strong constrictors Most active at night Found around edges
of fields, clearings, or in barns to feed on rodents.
Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus)
• Distinctive yellow/orange ring around neck
• Dark gray/black back with yellow/orange/red belly
• Forest dwellers-rotting logs, leaf litter, flowerbeds
Curl tail to ward off predators
CROCODILIANS Osteoderms
Bony deposits that form scales/plates in the dermal layers of the skin
Temperature Sex Determination Sex of offspring
determined by the temperature at which eggs are incubated
Tertiary Consumer Eat turtles, snakes, birds,
mammals, etc