Pinesnake and its skin?

[NewSchoolPiney]

On an overnight hike yesterday into today along the Mullica River Trail in Wharton State Forest, we came upon a snake in our path:

Pine snake? (http://www.njpinebarrens.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Pinesnake&id=aaa&op=modl oad&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php )

I assume that it is a pine snake but I wasn't sure. It was about 5+ ft. long.

About 10 ft. down the trail, I noticed a snake skin in the brush:

Snake skin (http://www.njpinebarrens.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Pinesnake&id=aab&op=modl oad&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php )

Can someone confirm that this was a pine snake? I didn't want to get too close. Not a big fan of giant snakes.

Justin

[Bobbleton]

Justin-

It sure was a pinesnake . . . totally harmless and really amazing. An easy way to tell those guys from the rattlesnakes (other than the rattle) is their heads. Pinesnakes have circular pupils and the heads are sort of straight-ish . . . with nothing particular about them.

Rattlesnakes, however have vertical pupils (like a cat's eyes) and their heads are distinctively shaped like an arrow. Also if you look close (though it may be TOO close) you can notice its heat sensing pits between the nostril and eye.

Cool pictures--that was a nice find.

-Bob

[NJSnakeMan]

Its a pinesnake, a good looking one too, it would be cool to see that one in real life, hopefully ill find one this week.

[bach2yoga]

Nice, Justin!