Publisher's Synopsis
The North American Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus) is a nonvenomous snake species commonly referred to as the Rat Snake.
The common "Black Rat Snake" is so named because of its dorsal (back) side, which is often black or dark brown, and its lighter underbelly, hence the name.
The Black Rat Snake is described below along with some of its defining features and facts.
- Adult Black Rat Snakes typically measure between 3 and 6 feet (0.9 and 1.8 meters) in length, making them a medium to large-sized snake. They have a slim build and smooth scales. Their coloring could shift as they get older. Juveniles typically have blotchy gray coloring that deepens as they age.
- Common habitats include woods, farms, and regions near human settlements in their native Eastern and Central North America.
- Black Rat Snakes are carnivores, meaning they kill their food by squeezing it to death. Because of their diet of rodents like rats and mice, they are typically seen as a welcome addition to residential and agricultural areas.
- Commonly found in trees and bushes, these snakes are well-known for their climbing prowess. They can swim well and even burrow if necessary.
- Reproduction: Black Rat Snakes lay eggs and are known for communal nesting, where multiple females may lay their eggs in the same spot, frequently in rotting logs or other hidden areas. Usually there are between five and thirty eggs in a clutch.
- Black rat snakes are abundant across their habitat and hence pose no conservation concerns. However, like many snake species, they are vulnerable to the loss of habitat and vehicle-related deaths.
- Because of their similarity in appearance and pattern, Black Rat Snakes are sometimes mistaken for the more dangerous Eastern Cottonmouth and Northern Copperhead. However, they are easily distinguished from these species by their non-venomous nature, spherical pupils, and lack of fangs.
Keep in mind that Black Rat Snakes aren't harmful to humans, but they do help keep rodent numbers in check. They are legally protected in many regions, so it's best to give them space if you ever come across one in the wild.
