Kirtland's Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)


Group	Snakes
Code	ARADB06010
Order	Squamata
Family	Colubridae
Author	(Kennicott, 1856)
Rank	G2 (definitions)
Occurrence	P (definitions)
Scale	C (definitions)

County List:


Western UP	none
Eastern UP	none
Northern LP	none
Southern LP	Kalamazoo, Macomb, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Ionia, Livingston, Barry, Monroe, Oakland, St. Joseph, Shiawassee, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, Allegan, Branch, Berrien

Rule:

Mixed Forested/Nonforested or Nonforested Landscapes

      (Bottomland Hardwoods (Pole or Sm saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Tamarack (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or Sedge Meadow

view decision rule term definitions

Habitat List:

Habitats	Regen	Sap	Pole	Sm Saw	Lg Saw	Uneven
Aspen	no	no	no	no	no	-
Paper Birch	no	no	no	no	no	-
Oak	no	no	no	no	no	no
Assorted Hardwoods	no	no	no	no	no	no
Northern Hardwoods	no	no	no	no	no	no
Spruce/Fir	no	no	no	no	no	no
Hemlock	no	no	no	no	no	no
Jack Pine	no	no	no	no	no	no
Red Pine	no	no	no	no	no	no
White Pine	no	no	no	no	no	no
Conifer Plantations	no	no	no	no	no	-
Mixed Upland Hardwoods	no	no	no	no	no	no
Mixed Northern Hardwoods	no	no	no	no	no	no
Mixed Upland Conifer	no	no	no	no	no	no
Mixed Pine	no	no	no	no	no	no
Swamp Hardwoods	no	no	no	no	no	no
Balsam Poplar & Swamp Aspen & Swamp Birch	no	no	no	no	no	no
Bottomland Hardwoods	no	no	YES	YES	YES	YES
Tamarack	no	no	YES	YES	YES	YES
Northern White Cedar	no	no	no	no	no	no
Black Spruce	no	no	no	no	no	no
Mixed Lowland Hardwoods	no	no	no	no	no	no
Mixed Lowland Conifer	no	no	no	no	no	no
Non-Forested	Sedge Meadow
Special Features	Riparian

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Literature:

Holman, J. A., J. H. Harding, M. M. Hensley, and G. R. Dudderar. 1999. Michigan snakes a field guide and pocket reference. Co-operative Extension Service, Michigan State University. 72 pp.

This rarely seen snake occurs in a variety of moist habitats, which include wet meadows, tamarack swamps, open swamp-forest, and vacant city lots. Earthworms and slugs are the favorite foods of Kirtland's snake. This secretive species is believed to spend most of its time underground in the burrows of crayfish and other small animals.