How to Spot a Black Rat Snake
The black rat snake (Elaphe obsolete) is also known as a pilot black snake or simply a black snake. It prefers heavily wooded areas and is an excellent climber, able to scale large trees without needing branches. The black rat snake is usually non-aggressive but may bite if cornered or handled carelessly. The following steps will show how to identify a black rat snake.
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Instructions
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1
Measure the length of this species. Adults are in the range of 42 to 72 inches; the record is 101 inches. It is officially the longest snake in North America, although indigo and pine snakes longer than this have been unofficially recorded.
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2
Observe the coloration of the adult black rat snake. The top appears to be a shiny black, but a faint blotched pattern can be seen in bright light. Underneath, the chin and throat are white, which darkens to a cloudy gray down the length of the belly.
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3
Look at the coloration of young black snakes. They are blotched against a gray background and frequently mistaken for other species.
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Find black rat snakes through most of the eastern United States. Their range extends from New England to Georgia and as far west as Iowa. Its habitat may be any area with large trees, although they also are attracted to farms and have been known to raid hen houses.
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5
Watch the black snake's elaborate defensive behavior. When threatened, it may knot its body into kinks and freeze in an attempt to appear dead. If this fails, it may imitate a rattlesnake by vibrating the tip of its tail.
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