GENERAL INFORMATION

The Black Rat Snake is one of several species of Rat Snakes occurring in the United States. Rat Snakes are large, powerful, non-venomous snakes that feed on a variety of prey species that they overpower by constriction.

DESCRIPTION

Adult Black Rat Snakes average between four and six feet in length with occasional specimens reaching a length of seven feet or more. The Black Rat Snake is highly variable in coloration and pattem depending upon the age of the snake. Hatchling Black Rat Snakes sport a pattern of dark gray or black blotches and spots over a background color of light gray. As the snake ages, this pattern begins to change to primarily black in the adult. Slight traces of the juvenile pattern often remain even in the adult Black Rat Snake, resulting in small specks of white, and occasionally even tinges of red and brown scattered throughout the scales. The underneath of the chin and throat are usually white, often mottled with gray and black blotches. Typical Black Rat Snakes in the two to four foot range often show a perplexing array of changing patterns as they age, resulting in easy misidentification of this common snake. Black Rat Snakes are often mistaken for the Eastern King Snake, another non-venomous constrictor that is often found in the same general habitats.

HABITS AND HABITATS

These snakes are primarily diurnal or daylight active but typically stay close to protective cover as they prowl for their prey, mostly rats, mice, and other small rodents. They are excellent climbers and are often found high in trees where they may sometimes feed on nesting birds, bird eggs, and even squirrels. They may occupy many types of habitats ranging from deep woods to forest edges, overgrown fields and meadows. They often enter abandoned or little used buildings, barns and even attics and wall spaces in search of rodents, making these snakes valuable but often unwelcome guests as they feed on destructive pests. Black Rat Snakes usually breed in Spring and the eggs are laid during early summer, usually in rotting stumps or in decaying vegetation. Garden mulch piles are often utilized, resulting in frantic human behavior when hatchlings or eggs are discovered! The young snakes, when cornered or threatened, will often coil in a defensive posture, hiss, and strike repeatedly. They also rapidly shake or vibrate the tail resulting in many people mistaking this dangerous-looking small snake for a baby rattlesnake or even a copperhead due to its bold behavior and color pattern, Many adult Black Rat Snakes also react in the same manner when threatened with danger.

HISTORY

Old timers sometimes refer to the Black Rat Snake as the "Pilot Snake" in the mistaken belief that this Snake pilots or guides the venomous rattlesnake to safe denning areas in the forest. Another common name is the Chicken Snake because the Black Rat is sometimes found near chicken coops and henhouses where they may sometimes feed on chicken eggs. Because of its adaptability to a variety of habitats including those close to people, humans often encounter the Black Rat Snake. Although it is one of our most valuable snakes, human fear and prejudice against all snakes often result in this shy and beneficial species being killed on sight.

MEET OUR BLACK RAT SNAKES

The Nature Center usually keeps several Black Rat Snakes on exhibit in the Nature Lab, our popular "hands on" Discovery Room. These may range in size from hatchlings all the way to adults as long as five to six feet They are fed rats and mice which we raise at the Center, once every one to two weeks, depending upon the age of the Snake. We try to keep at least one or two handleable adult Black Rat Snakes in order for visitors to learn and appreciate these valuable reptiles. Once a visitor touches one of our friendly snakes and gets a chance to learn the truth about these misunderstood animals, it usually helps them to replace their fear of snakes with a fascination for them!

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©2002 WNC Nature Center