Northern Pine Snake gallery photo by user orchidspider Northern Pine Snakes, Pituophis melanoleucus, have fascinated North American Snake Enthusiasts since before I was born and have been discussed with whispered breaths since my introduction to snakes at pet stores, shows, zoos, native wildlife agencies, universities, herp societies, internet groups, and every other facet of the snake world. Perhaps no locality or population garners more interest than the small and mostly isolated populations from Kentucky. No matter what population or locality, I have heard it said amongst the greatest minds on the subject that every single record for a specimen of Northern Pine Snake is note-worthy. I have been involved in research with this species in Kentucky for over 20 years and have been contacted with requests for DNA samples and any other data I can provide by those working on papers in efforts to publish updated information on every aspect of this snake’s biology throughout its range. In 2006 my colleague Phil Peak and I were able to document the first live specimen of Northern Pine Snake recorded from the isolated Mammoth Cave Region population since 1969. None live or dead have been recorded since. In Spring of 2018 we found the cast skin pictured above under artificial cover we set out as part of a survey project we are involved in. The ability to recognize and identify a cast skin that many would have ignored or not given a second thought about is what led to our ability to formally record this as a confirmed observation backed by photograph.