• Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Squamata
  • Family: Colubridae
  • Genus: Pituophis
  • Species: Pituophis catenifer
  • They are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because of their coloration and defensive behaviors
  • When threatened they will puff up, hiss, and shake their tail on the ground
  • Have keeled scales meaning that the scales have a ridge in the center of them making the scales feel and look rough