Sex : Male and Female

Length : 18" male, 30" Female (Avg. 1 – 3 Feet – Females are longer)

Weight : 1.5 oz Male, 3.5 oz Female (Avg 1 – 5 oz – Females are bigger)

Lifespan : Male Captive Born 2000, Age 4 years (Longevity 10+ years)

Female Captive Born 2001, Age 3 years

Breeding: Livebearer up to 60 young

Habitat : Typically a resident of meadows and open fields, close to waterways. Readily found under logs, pieces of wood or man-made objects, often seen basking on blacktop roads.

Food and Hunting : Primarily diurnal, they actively hunt earthworms, frogs, toads, and rodents. In captivity they can be fed small mice appropriate to their age and size.

Conservation : They are locally common throughout their range. They have adapted well to human encroachment and are one of the most familiar snakes to people. A variety of species inhabit most of North America from southern Canada to Mexico. Several specialized breeders in the US handle them, while their popularity is greatest in Europe. A variety of colorful morphs and albinos are readily available.

Captive Care : Their smaller size, even temperament and heat requirements make them suitable captives. Most specimens feed well on frozen thawed mice, although as neonates they are more difficult to feed.