Black Rat Snake

Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta

Rat snakes are large, powerful constrictors and excellent climbers. They are often found in barns and falling-down old buildings, where their shed skins may be draped in the rafters. As the name suggests, rat snakes eat rodents, as well as rabbits, birds, and eggs. Out and about during the day in spring and fall, they often don't move until just after sunset in summer. They sometimes hole up for the winter with Copperheads or Timber Rattlesnakes.

Look For : A large, stout snake with a flat belly and straight sides, giving it a squarish shape. Occurs in 3 main color patterns. Northern adults: plain black (pictured here). Coastal southeast adults: yellow, greenish, or orange, with 4 stripes.

Length : 42-101".

Habitat : Farm fields, hardwood forests, rocky hillsides, swamps, marsh edges.

Range : All of eastern U.S., west as far as southern Minnesota, south through central Texas.