This is the Rarest Snake in Louisiana, and It’s Federally Protected

LOUISIANA - When you grow up in Louisiana, you quickly become familiar and accustomed to quite a few things. The unique culture, the amazing food, and our own genres of music like Zydeco, Cajun, and Swamp Pop come to mind.

You also become really familiar with other things like alligators, mosquitoes, and snakes.

If you see a snake in Louisiana, your first instinct might be to get as far away from it as possible. That's understandable. Louisiana has plenty of snakes, and some of them are venomous.

But, there's one particular snake found in parts of Louisiana that you definitely shouldn't mess with. In fact, if you kill this particular snake you be fined as much $50,000 or spend up to one year in federal prison.

Let's talk about this snake you should just leave alone because it's actually the rarest snake in Louisiana.

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What Is The Louisiana Pine Snake?

This unusual snake is federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, although its official federal classification is actually threatened. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service listed the Louisiana pine snake as threatened in 2018 because of concerns about its small populations and the loss of its natural habitat.

READ MORE: What's the Difference Between Venomous vs Poisonous?

The Louisiana pine snake is a large, non-venomous constrictor native to parts of Louisiana and eastern Texas.

According to wikipedia.com, Louisiana pine snakes spend much of their time underground, usually living in burrows created by Baird's pocket gophers.

Wlf.louisiana.gov says the Louisiana pine snake is "pale tan with a row of large black or brown blotches down the back, and a smaller series on each side; underside whitish with obscure brown spotting; the tip of snout pointed."

Where Are Louisiana Pinesnakes Found?

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries currently lists recorded Louisiana parish locations including:

Beauregard Parish
Bienville Parish
Jackson Parish
Natchitoches Parish
Rapides Parish
Sabine Parish
Vernon Parish

The Louisiana pine snake is also found in parts of Eastern Texas.

READ MORE: Louisiana's Top 5 Largest and Most Dangerous Snakes

Why Is The Louisiana Pine Snake Protected?

According to nwf.org, there are currently only fewer than 200 pine snakes remaining in the wild. That's a really good reason to slap a federal protection on them.

Because the Louisiana pine snake is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, there are legal protections surrounding the species. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service says its specific federal protections took effect after the snake was listed as threatened in 2018, with a species-specific 4(d) rule published in 2020.

Fines For Killing A Louisiana Pine Snake

This is where things get serious.

Killing a Louisiana pine snake is a federal crime, punishable by fines of $25,000 to $100,000 and up to one year in federal prison.

So, if you're out in woods hunting or camping and you come across a pine snake, just walking away if the best thing you can do for a multitude of reasons.

The Louisiana pine snake is not venomous, and it generally isn't considered a threat to people. It's also a pretty rare animal that plays a role in Louisiana's ecosystem.