News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is asking for your help to learn more about the pinesnake.
The pinesnake is considered threatened due to habitat destruction, and road mortality. It is also often killed, mistaken for timber rattlesnakes.
Biodiversity Coordinator Mallory Tate said TWRA has been looking for pinesnakes to track with transmitters, but the snakes are so elusive that responding to snake sightings was more productive.
Tate-1 (:18) Q. year or two
Tate said pinesnake populations need 300-500 connected acres of relatively undisturbed land for healthy genetics. She said separation of land with roads, bushhogging, and construction undermine the pinesnake habitat.
If you spot a pinesnake in the Upper Cumberland, TWRA asks that you contact them immediatly. Waiting a day can greatly decrease the chance that the snake will be found.
The tracking study will help TWRA learn more about the pinesnake’s behaviour in choosing or creating dens and movement across their habitat.
“So what do they need for their full lifecycle,” Tate said. “This is during the winter season when they’re inactive and generally spend weeks to months at a time underground, all the way to their breeding season where they’re finding mates and then where they’re rearing young.”
Tate said people need not fear the venomless pinesnake. She said when humans invade its space a pinesnake will imitate a rattlesnake by shaking its tails against leaves or other debris. She said the snake will also emit a very intimidating roaring hiss.
“When I go to pick these animals up, a my husband doesn’t want to be anywhere near,” Tate said.
Tate said at worst pinesnakes are solid pest control eating things like rats and mice. Tate said one of the best ways to identify the pinesnake is its creamy vibrant yellow undertone.
“It’s kind of shocking when you see them how yellow they can be,” Tate said. “These snakes are clearly bright creamy yellow with black markings.”
Please get in touch with Jesse Eaker at jesse.eaker@tn.gov or Mallory Tate at mallory.e.tate@tn.gov if you see a pinesnake.
