Adults are sometimes mistaken for blue racers, but a racer will likely run from you immediately. They have shiny black scales on their back and a light colored belly, and their throat and chin are white. Blotches along the snake's midsection may vary from black to reddish-brown. View interactive map showing an updated distribution based all records received to date, including sightings submitted via this site. Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta (Black Rat Snake) is the most widely distributed common rat snake with a range from New England south through Georgia and west across the northern parts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and north through Oklahoma to southern Wisconsin. They have been known to be found in some northern parts of Oklahoma and, further, have been … Reproduction. Often it goes rather high up into trees, where it uses cavities or hollows formerly occupied by other animals such as birds or mammals. Lifestyle. Adults can range in size between 46 and 68 inches. As with many of the Elaphe obsoleta species, the black rat snakes undergo changes in color and pattern. The neck region tends to be heavily mottled with black and white. see RANGE MAP for range in Louisiana . These snakes are pretty easy to spot because of their large size and black or dark brown coloration. Some like the slender green snake are masters of camouflage while others like the scar-let kingsnake display themselves with brilliant colors. If harassed, it will produce a foul-smelling musk that serves to deter predators. Click below for more information - colored counties of range map are those in which the species has been reported. Eastern rat snakes, formerly known as black rat snakes, are large non-venomous snakes between 3.5 and 7 feet (one and two meters) long. Local Habitat Forests, rocky hillsides with large trees, farmlands and old fields. They consume a wide variety of food including rodents, chipmunks, other snakes, and just about anything else they can find in their given habitat. Download pdf of map; Updated Distribution Map. Conservation. Black Rat Snake Habitat & Range: - These snakes are mainly found in in the eastern United States and midwest; this includes parts of New England and, spanning west, includes its of Texas and Nebraska. The black rat snake is considered stable throughout its range. South Florida's Snakes . The head of an eastern rat snake is wider than the neck and the rest of the body. There is also an isolated population in southern Canada and northern New York. Family Colubridae - Harmless egg-laying snakes: Black rat snake : Great Plains rat snake. This harmless snake mimics a rattlesnake by shaking its tail in dry vegetation, and may hiss loudly when approached. The Black Rat Snake is a constrictor so they will coil around the bodies of prey and cut off the ability to breathe. Of Florida's 46 native species of snakes, 34 are found in the South Florida region shown in dark green on this map, including four of the six venomous species--Timber Rattlesnakes and Copperheads are only found in North Florida.Three non-native species are also found in South Florida. The Black Rat Snake is a proficient climber. Easily the largest snake species in Michigan, the black rat snake can reach lengths of eight feet. As far as the rat snake species goes, the black rat snake is the most common. The eastern ratsnake (previously known as the black ratsnake) is Connecticut's longest snake. Bull snake : Yellowbelly racer: Prairie kingsnake : Common kingsnake Milk snake : Family Natricidae - Harmless live-bearing snakes: Younger snakes might have slight patterning. When frightened, a black rat snake will freeze. usually golden with black rings. Not only do snakes come in many sizes and colors but they are found in a variety of habitats. The prominent deep triangular head shape is distinctive. The map below shows the distribution of the Black Rat Snake in Massachusetts based on the original intensive volunteer survey that took place from 1992-1998. Range in Ohio The Black Rat Snake occurs throughout most of the state. The males tend to wait for the females. If provoked further, it may coil, shake its tail, and snap at its attacker. They range in size from the tiny 7-inch worm snake to the impressive 6-foot black rat snake. The black rat snake is very common in many areas. Adult black rat snakes have few known predators other than humans. Kentucky. In the case of the black rat snake, they are born a … But they are found in a variety of habitats harmless snake mimics a rattlesnake by shaking its,... More information - colored counties of range map are those in which the has!, it will produce a foul-smelling musk that serves to deter predators likely run you... 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