Pituophis melanoleucus (non-venomous) [State protected]

Pine snakes are large snakes that average over four feet long.  The base color of pine snakes is white or light cream with dark blotches.  Like other snakes that are denizens of the uplands of Florida, pine snakes spend much of their time underground making use of pocket gopher tunnels and gopher tortoise burrows.  As such, despite their large size, they are not frequently seen.  Pine snakes can appear menacing: when first approached, many will raise their heads, hiss loudly, rattle their tails, and strike.