Clonophis kirtlandii
Kirtland's snake
Photo by William Westrate
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Key Characteristics

The Kirtland's Snake is a small (total adult length 14-24.5 in/36-62 cm, average 14-18 in/36-46 cm), reddish to dark brown snake with four rows of alternating dark, round blotches on the back and sides. A faint stripe is sometimes visible along the middle of the back. The key characteristic is its bright red, pink or orange belly which is conspicuously bordered by two parallel rows of black spots. The head is mostly black or dark brown above with light cream-colored, white or yellow labial scales, chin and throat.

Status and Rank

  • State Status: E - Endangered (legally protected)
  • State Rank: S1 - Critically imperiled
  • Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled

Occurrences

County NameNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Berrien22000
Cass31983
Kalamazoo31997
Lenawee11932
Muskegon31996
Ottawa11976
Van Buren11965
Washtenaw51997
Occurrence Map for [Sname]

Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

Kirtland's Snakes are usually found in open wetlands such as wet prairies, prairie fens, wet meadows and marshes, but they also occur in openings or along the edges of forested wetlands and floodplains (e.g., grass/sedge openings in tamarack swamps). These habitats generally have loose, organic rich soil which is well-suited for the fossorial nature of the Kirtland's Snake. This species also has been found in suitable open habitats in or near urban centers or large metropolitan areas such as open, grassy areas in parks, cemeteries, and vacant lots. Kirtland's Snakes are frequently found in burrows or under leaf litter, logs, boards, rocks or other cover objects within their habitats. They hibernate in crayfish or other animal burrows.

Specific Habitat Needs

Downed woody debris needed in Prairie fen, Rich tamarack swamp, Floodplain forest, Emergent marsh, Wet-mesic sand prairie, Southern hardwood swamp, Southern wet meadow, Wet prairie, Mesic prairie

Natural Community Types

Management

Known extant populations and critical habitats should be identified and protected. Fens, wet meadows, and open tamarack swamps are important habitats for this species in Michigan. Active management of these areas may be intermittently required which would include prescribed burning. The fossorial nature of the Kirtland's Snake combined with typical cool burns in wetlands should minimize the potential for adverse impacts to this species from prescribed burns. Mowing should be conducted when snakes are inactive or less active (e.g., late fall or winter from November through February). Maintaining or providing cover objects and crayfish or other animal burrows also would benefit the species. Flooding or draining wetlands for waterfowl management could make the habitat unsuitable for Kirtland's Snakes if the wetlands are significantly altered, particularly during late fall and winter. Public education to reduce incidental collecting and killing would be beneficial. Road mortality also should be minimized. Research to increase our understanding and knowledge of the status, distribution and ecology of this species also is essential.

Active Period

Breeding from first week of May to fourth week of May

Parturition from first week of August to fourth week of September

Active from first week of April to fourth week of October

Survey Methods

The Kirtland's Snake is nocturnal and fossorial. This snake is highly secretive and unlike other reptiles, it rarely basks in the sun and generally remains under debris, leaf litter or other cover objects. The best time to survey for this species is in April, May and June, although Kirtland’s Snakes also can be found during other times of the year during the active season (i.e., late March or early April through late October or early November) under appropriate weather conditions (i.e., warm and rainy or just after rain). The best way to survey for this secretive species is with cover boards. Cover boards should be placed right over the openings of crayfish or animal burrows in sufficient densities throughout suitable habitat. Kirtland’s snakes also have been found in pitfall traps along drift fences. Observations of Kirtland's Snakes should be documented with photographs and verified by a species expert.

References

Survey References

Technical References

Page Citation

Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 2007. Rare Species Explorer (Web Application). Available online at http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/explorer [Accessed Nov 23, 2009]