Queen Snake Regina septemvittata

Identification
This slender species has a gray or brown body with three pale stripes on each side. Its belly has four dark longitudinal stripes.

Location
Uncommon statewide

Size
14 to 23 inches

Diet
It feeds almost exclusively on freshly molted crayfish.

Habitat
It occurs in high quality streams throughout Ohio.

Activity Period
April to October

Behavior
It is highly aquatic and closely tied to clean rocky streams. It is shy and retreats quickly into water. It is most active in warm months and remains near water.

Lifecycle
Breeding occurs in spring and females give birth to live young in late summer.

Population
The population is declining in areas with water quality issues.

History
It has been documented in Ohio since early natural history surveys.

Human Interactions
It is harmless and rarely encountered by casual observers.

Facts
It is one of the most habitat specialized snakes in Ohio.

Sources
ODNR academic sources

Crayfish aquatic invertebrates | Clear streams rocky creeks | Statewide but scattered