Rare Snakes Born at Lufkin Zoo

LUFKIN –Two rare Louisiana Pine Snakes hatched at Lufkin’s Ellen Trout Zoo. They hatched on July 29th after a 72 day incubation period. According to the zoo’s web site, “Louisiana Pine Snakes are a moderately large species of harmless snake related to the Bull and Gopher Snakes but are found only in isolated areas of west central Louisiana and East Texas. They are thought to be one of the rarest snakes in the United States and are being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act.’

The zoo says that what makes this hatching most significant is the fact that they are produced from adults captured in Angelina County. They are part of a small population of Texas specimens that consists of nine individuals (four adults and three juveniles at the Lufkin Zoo and two adults at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. Louisiana Pine Snakes have not been found in Texas for several years and could possibly be extirpated in the wild in Texas.