Harmless · North Carolina
Eastern Pinesnake
Pituophis melanoleucus
Large, powerful, state-protected snake associated with open pine habitats.
At a glance
Size
Usually 48-66 inches.
North Carolina range
Mountains, sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat
pine forests, sandy soils, open woods
Diet
Pocket gophers, mice, rats, rabbits, and ground-nesting birds and eggs.
Pattern
blotches
Venomous
No
How to identify it
Very large, powerful snake with dark blotches on a white, cream, or gray background and a small pointed head.
Where to look in North Carolina
Rare and scattered in the Mountains, Sandhills, and Coastal Plain.
Open pine forests and sandy soils suitable for burrowing.
Regional maps show broad physiographic provinces, not county-level records.
Photo guide
Use the gallery to check pattern, body shape, and context—not just overall color.
