Shed snake skin

[Carma Sue Henry]

We found this nearly perfect condition shed snake skin last evening.  If it was still as straight as it would have been been on the living snake, I think it would be about 47-48 inches.  The head and lower jaw are in really good shape, including the tissue that covered the eyes.  It was held quite tight to the ground by the dry stiff grasses, as if the snake had used the stubble to hold the skin as it riggled out.  It took some time to tease it out without breaking it apart.  A few inches away from the head of the discarded skin was a convenient bolt hole.  

I can't tell what species it is.  We've seen quite a few gopher and garter snakes around.  Though it's hard to see in the photos, there is a faint darker stripe down the back of about 3 rows of more slender scales.  That might indicate it had a dorsal stripe like the garter.  However, according to what I've read, it would be unusual for a garter to grow this long; so it's likely a gopher snake.  

The last photo (taken on a chilly March 27 of this year) is of two live snakes that were found huddled next to each other under the cover of our well head when we had it checked.  We enjoy reptiles.  The well tech was not so happy.

Carma Henry

Logsdon Ridge