Kirtland's Snake (Click image to enlarge) 
Kirtland's Snake (Click image to enlarge) |
Kirtland's Snake Clonophis kirtlandi Kirtland's Snake has a limited range, and it is rare, local and declining in its remaining territory, centered around Indiana and much of Ohio. It also occurs in eastern and central Illinois and southern Michigan, and parts of north-central Kentucky. Kirtland's Snake favors damp areas, though it is not aquatic. Dark above, with varying patterns. The belly is pink (varying to red or orange) lined on each side by a row of black spots (see top image, left). It ranges up to two feet long and has a remarkable ability to flatten its body (see bottom image, left). Kirtland's Snake feeds primarily on earthworms, though it may also eat other small invertebrates. Kirtland's Snake reportedly does not do well in captivity. I found this one under a piece of sheet metal and kept it for about fifteen minutes, long enough to take a few photos, before returning both snake and sheet metal to their original locations. |
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