Kirtland's snake
Kirtland's snake ("Clonophis kirtlandii)" is a threatened or endangered (depending on location) North American species of nonvenomous snake of the subfamily Natricinae, of the family Colubridae. It is the only species in the genus "Clonophis". Etymology. The specific name, "kirtlandii", is in honor of Dr. Jared Potter Kirtland, an American naturalist of the Nineteenth Century. The snake was first identified by Robert Kennicott in 1855. Kennicott sent a specimen to Spencer Fullerton Baird, the assistant secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, who offered to publish a description of the animal in Kennicott's name. Baird suggested "Regina  kirtlandii" as a scientific name, as Kirtland had been a mentor to Kennicott. Common names. Common names for "C. kirtlandii" include: Cora Kennicott's snake, Kirtland's red snake, Kirtland's water snake, little red snake, Ohio Valley water snake, and spread head. Description. Kirtland's snake is small and slender. Adults reach a total length (including tail) of 12-18 inches (30–46 cm). It is grayish brown with a double series of large black spots down the back, and alternating smaller spots running down each side. The ventral scales are brick red with a prominent round black spot at  each outer end. It has 19 rows of keeled dorsal scales at midbody, and the anal plate is divided. Geographic range. Kirtland's snake is found in Illinois, Indiana, northern Kentucky, southern Michigan, Ohio, and western Pennsylvania. Habitat. The preferred natural habitats of "C. kirtlandii" are forest, grassland, and wetlands such as swamps and marshes. It is almost always found very close to a water source, even though it is less aquatic than water snakes of the genus "Nerodia" which share its geographic range. Conservation status. The species "Clonophis kirtlandii" is listed as endangered in Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. It  is listed as threatened in Illinois and Ohio, though current research in Ohio is leaning towards the snake being listed as vulnerable. Diet. Kirtland's snake feeds on primarily earthworm, slug, minnow, salamander, frog and toad. Defensive behavior. When alarmed "C. kirtlandii" flattens its entire body to a remarkable thinness, and becomes rigid. Kirtland's snake will also coil up into a disc the size of about a quarter in an attempt to hide from potential threats. If this does not succeed, it will then flee instead of fight. No person on record has ever been bitten by a Kirtland 's snake. This species prefers intimidation, hiding, and fleeing rather than any form of fighting. Reproduction. Kirtland's snake is ovoviviparous. Females give birth in August and September. Brood size varies from 4 to 22. Each newborn is 13–17 cm (5-6¾ in.) in total length and averages 1.4 gm in weight.