The black rat snake is completely black, except for its white chin and belly. (Furryscaly/Wikimedia Commons)
The black rat snake is a non-venomous snake with a long, black body and white belly. It can be found throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, from the mountains to the shoreline.
Appearance:
Black, scaly body
White belly and chin
Wedge-shaped head
Young black rat snakes, called hatchlings, are light gray with black blotches along the back
Grows 3.5-6 feet long
Habitat:
Lives in a wide variety of habitats, from rocky hills to dense forests to flat farmland
One of the most common snakes found in suburban backyards
Range:
Found throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, from sea level to the Appalachian Mountains
Feeding:
Eats mostly small rodents such as mice, rats, moles and chipmunks
Also known to feed on small lizards, frogs and bird eggs
Kills its prey by constriction, which means the snake coils its body around the prey and holds on until it suffocates to death. It then swallows its prey whole.
Predators:
Protects itself from predators by coiling its body and vibrating its tail in dead leaves, imitating the sound of a rattle
May also release a foul-smelling musk if threatened
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
Emerges from hibernation in March-May
Seeks out a mate in late April-early June. Males use pheromones to initiate mating with females that pass through their territory
Five weeks after mating, females lay 12-20 eggs in a hidden area, such as under leaves or within a hollow log. Eggs hatch 65-70 days later.
Females may lay two egg clutches per year, if conditions are right
Other Facts:
Excellent climbers that are able to scale brick walls and tree trunks without any aid
Shy and secretive, usually avoiding confrontation
May strike if they feel threatened. However, they are not venomous.
