Queen Snake
Regina septemvittata • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Regina, Species: R. septemvittata
North America, primarily eastern and central United States extending into southern Ontario, Canada.
Look up Queen Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Regina, Species: R. septemvittata
Conservation
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, facing localized threats from habitat loss and water pollution affecting crayfish populations.
Physical Description
Slender body with uniform dark brown to olive dorsal coloration, lighter yellowish underbelly with dark stripes, relatively small head, and keeled scales.
Size & Dimensions
Specimen is approximately 30 to 40 cm long. Typical adult length ranges from 40 to 90 cm.
Habitat
Found near permanent bodies of water such as streams, rivers, and ponds with rocky substrates, typically in riparian zones and open areas.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized diet consisting almost entirely of freshly molted crayfish. Uses active foraging along water edges.
Reproduction
Viviparous giving birth to live young. Average litter size ranges from 5 to 12 offspring born in late summer.
Look-alikes
Commonly confused with other natricine snakes like garter snakes and crayfish snakes, distinguished by distinct longitudinal belly stripes.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, facing localized threats from habitat loss and water pollution affecting crayfish populations.
Cultural Significance
Plays an important ecological role in aquatic food webs by regulating crayfish populations.
Notable Features
Exhibits a highly specialized diet dependent on molted crayfish and demonstrates semi-aquatic habits tied closely to rocky streams.