Snakes in Montanaare an inherent part of the United States Department of State ’s fat and wide-ranging ecosystems . These reptiles are come up in a mountain range of environments , from the expansive prairies and rolling grasslands to the dense woodland and bouldered highlands . The various species of Snake in Montana , such as the vibrant Bullsnake and the subtle Smooth Greensnake , show a range of enthralling adaptation that aid them thrive in their specific home ground .
permit ’s explore 15 type of snakes in Montana , turn over into their machine characteristic , behaviors , and how to identify them in this article .
Different Types of Snakes in Montana
Valley Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi , commonly known as the valley garter snake , has an adult length that varies from 18 to 55 inches . unremarkably , they have three xanthous band — one on each side and one down the back — and are brown to nigrify in gloss . They have a yellowish abdomen , mouth , and chin , and their black heads often have cerise side . noteworthy red bar can be go through in between the yellow streak .
This subspecies of thecommon garter snakecan be found in a scope of habitats , such as domain , wetlands , timberland , scrublands , shorelines , and rocky places . They also fit very nicely with urban surround . Look for them under logs , boulders , and other cover that helps with thermoregulation in western Montana . They communally hole up in ant mound , rock crevices , animate being and crayfish tunnel , and unreal blank space below the hoarfrost line throughout the winter .
Valley Garter Snakes are good natator and will essay to go into the pee if they feel threatened . If apprehended , they might spit and exude musk , and if they feel very threatened , they might even attack . They are often killed on roads and out of awe , even though they are think to be low-toned - peril species and have adjust well to human - modified habitat .
Western Milksnake
The normal length of an adult Western Milksnake ( Lampropeltis gentilis ) is between 15 and 34 inch . Their coloration is arresting , with bands of milklike , shameful , and reddish or orange , the latter surrounded by Shirley Temple . The underside may have band extension or be more whitish , whereas the snout is typically blackish with probable ashen flecking .
Western Milksnakes can be institute in grasslands , capable sage brush , and occasionally residential country in easterly Montana . Being restrained , they oftentimes hold back themselves beneath rocks , logs , boards , and other dust .
Their colour can lead to discombobulation with poisonous coral snakes . The proverb “ If crimson touch yellow , you ’re a stagnant fellow ; if red touches black , you ’re all right , Jack ” can aid you tell them asunder .
modest mammal , birds , snort eggs , other Snake , lizards , reptile eggs , and at times worm and insects are among the many prey items that these snakes consume . They aggressively seek fair game , constricting it with their coils . Even though they are generally unagitated when handled , when they experience threatened , they may act defensively by score or vibrating their hindquarters .
Smooth Greensnake
The Smooth Greensnake ( Opheodrys vernalis ) has slender adults that are unremarkably between 14 and 20 column inch long . They have a red tongue with a black point , and they are all the same light immature color with ayellow or whiteunderbelly . Up to their first molt , juveniles might have an olive - green , bluish - hoary , or brown appearance .
They live in open forests , savannas , meadow , pastures , marshland , and the margins of streams and lakes . They are also refer to as dope Snake , because they favor damp places close to recurrent urine germ .
Smooth Greensnakes nearly exclusively eat insects and spiders , and instead of suffocating their intellectual nourishment , they use fast strikes to repress and swallow them active . They hole up in abandoned anthills and previous animate being burrows in easterly Montana throughout the wintertime , oft in communal options with other tiny snakes . They appear in the spring , usually in April , and stay engaged through October .
These snakes can quickly escape when challenged because of their lightsomeness and exceptional camouflage , which help them deflect predators .
Bullsnake
Pituophis catenifer sayi , or bullsnake adults , are huge , usually reaching lengths of 4 to 6 substructure . They are yellow , beige , or light brownness in color , with three brace of lowly billet on the sides and a huge Robert Brown , calamitous , or reddish splotch on their back . The blotches near the tail may resemble bands , and the underside is speckle with smuggled and golden in color .
In Montana , bullsnakes are typically bump in subject area , grasslands , timberland border , savannas , brushlands with sandy territory , and regions with high rodent populations , such as prairie dog town . With their prominent rostral ( olfactory organ weighing machine ) for comprehend , they can sharply furrow quarry in unaffixed dirt due to their speed . They assume their victim and stifle it with their powerful bodies .
Bullsnakes are not vicious , but they react sharply to peril . They frequently hiss , raise their front one-half of their body , and passado at assailants . Because of an expansion of the windpipe and a cartilage flaps known as an epiglottis that produces a rattling interference , their hiss can resemble that of a rattlesnake .
Plains Hog-nosed Snake
The Plains Hog - nosed Snake ( Heterodon nasicus ) has an adult duration that varies from 15 to 39 in . They have patch of different tones of brown , with larger longitudinal blotches on the neck , tack rows of tiny drab spots along the sides , and darker splodge on the back . to boot , their rostral ( nozzle ) ordered series is magnanimous .
These snakes are good burrowers , using the tunnels of deceased animals for security from the heat and hibernation . They wish loose , sandy , or gravelly setting .
Impressive defense mechanism display are a well - known characteristic of Plains Hog - nosed Snakes . When they are first threatened , they could assay to entomb themselves , blot out in a burrow , or just stay still and cover their heads with their coil . They will puff out up their dead body , siss loudly , spread out their jaws and neck like cobra , and do false strikes with their mouths closed if they are get at any more .
Should these strategy not work , they will roll onto their backs and feign to be dead , run wilted and open their mouth . They might even run from the mouth and cloaca , release odor and faecal matter , and regurgitate food . Unfortunately , people who are afraid of them have occasionally murdered them as a result of their dramatic performances .
North American Racer
The normal length of an adult North American Racer ( Coluber constrictor ) is between 50 and 152 cm ( 20 and 60 in ) . race differ in the pattern and textures of their skin , although most have a lighter underbelly and a self-coloured coloration . As their name suggest , they are some of Montana ’s fleet snakes , at velocities of up to 3.5 miles per hour ( 5.6 kph ) . These lively serpent are bang to lift their heads above the grass to abide by their surroundings . They are also inquisitive and have near vision .
North American Racers do not crush their fair game , despite their scientific name ( constrictor ) . or else , they imbibe smaller fair game active and pin it by holding it down with their bodies .
These non - vicious serpent can be trigger-happy , nipping , thrash , urinating , and producing an offensive - smell musk when they find threatened or imprisoned . They can also shake their hind end on juiceless leaf to resemble rattlesnakes . North American Racers are still common in many places , although they are endanger by home ground going bring on by urbanisation and maturation . They are also easily pour down by fear , even though they put no threat if left alone .
Northern Rubber Boa
Adults of this specie , which is often referred to as the Coastal Rubber Boa ( Charina bottae ) , have a length range of 38 to 84 atomic number 96 ( 1.25 to 2.76 feet ) . They have a lighter belly and smooth , showy scales that run in hue from tan to dark brown . Rubber Boas are distinguished by their short , blunt tail , which is often confused with their head . They have a texture and appearance similar to rubber due to their idle , wrinkled skin .
In Montana , northern rubber boas can be found thriving in a kind of habitats , such as eminent alpine mount , chaparrals , meadows , deciduous and coniferous woods , and grasslands . Because they can not withstand high temperature , they are not discover in hot , arid region .
Typically , these snakes are located in hiding places like burrow , log , rocks , and leaf litter . They are frequently used to assist people in overcoming their fear of snakes because of their benign nature . They hardly ever endeavor to bite or chance upon , but if they smell danger , they can emit a potent aroma from their vent .
Prairie Rattlesnake
The color of prairie rattlesnakes ( Crotalus viridis ) varies signally , from greenish - greyness to yellow , and they have dark spots that make annulus tight to their tails . Adults have a large triangular principal , ellipse eye , heat - sense pit , and a rattling stern . They rise to be between 3.3 and 5 feet retentive .
These toxicant snakes live up to 9,500 pes above sea grade in Montana ’s grassland , prairies , and semi - desert shrublands . They hibernate in group dens throughout the winter , go back to the same den each year . They may coil and rattle as a admonition before happen upon , but when attacked , they either blend in or retreat stealthily . Despite being classified as a specie of least concern , home ground loss and hunting are cause their population to refuse .
Red-sided Garter Snake
Though its colour might vary , the Red - sided Garter Snake ( Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis ) is normally dark greenish to black in hue . It has three characteristic yellow stripes : one on each side and one expire down its back . As suggested by its name , it has orangish or red bars running between the icteric stripes along its slope . Being a habitat generalist , this race of the common supporter snake in the grass can be found in a range of scope in Montana , such as farms , marshes , wood , shrublands , and rocky places . Leeches , earthworms , and frog are among their food sources .
In some regions , males can outnumber females after hibernation , leading to “ tangle hysteria ” where many snakes meet . To suffer the colder months , they hibernate below the hoar air , often in dens caparison hundreds or even thousands of someone .
Terrestrial Garter Snake
The sizing range of an adult Terrestrial Garter Snake ( Thamnophis elegans ) is 18 to 41 column inch . The absolute majority have two grade insignia on their sides and one down their back , with three stripes in yellow , undimmed orange , or white . someone can exhibit cherry-red and black Department of Transportation , greenish or dark-brown tones , or on occasion all black forms because of their extremely wide-ranging pigmentation . It might be unmanageable to describe this snake in Montana because of its various spirit and the variance among experts on its six race .
This species can be plant in a form of surroundings , including woods , grasslands , and hilly regions up to 13,000 foot above sea level . They are mostly terrestrial , but they can swim very well . Unlike most garter snakes in Montana , which incline to just trance and take back their prey , these snakes employ tightness to immobilize their victims . Their weak venom can cause pain and protuberance in human , but other than that , they are harmless and not strong-growing .
Plains Garter Snake
The distinctive duration of an adult Plains Garter Snake ( Thamnophis radix ) is 36 inches . Their hue is gray - unripe , with greenish - yellowish stripes down each side and a obtrusive orange stripe down the back . On top of the skull , there are noticeable pale yellow patches .
Plains supporter snakes are typically found in hayfield and prairies close to fresh water sources in Montana . They live in landscape painting that have been alter by humans and are often found next to vacant wads , rubbish piles , and abandoned structures . Among allsnake species , this one can withstand extremely frigid temperatures ; on ardent wintertime days , it occasionally emerges from hibernation .
They mostly consume fishing worm , lick , and diminutive amphibious aircraft , although they have also been observed scavenging little animals and birds , including banking concern swallows and eastern meadowlarks .
