Black rat snake is a non-venomous, medium-sized, yet powerful constrictor endemic to central North America. The species is quite adaptable and can thrive in diverse environments.
| Kingdom |
Animalia |
| Phylum |
Chordata |
| Subphylum |
Vertebrata |
| Class |
Reptilia |
| Order |
Squamata |
| Suborder |
Serpentes |
| Family |
Colubridae |
| Subfamily |
Colubrinae |
| Tribe |
Lampropeltini |
| Genus |
Pantherophis |
| Scientific Name |
Pantherophis obsoletus |
| Other Names |
Western Rat Snake, Texas Ratsnake, Pilot Black Snake, Black Snake, Alleghany black snake, Black Chicken Snake, Black Coluber, Chicken Snake, Mountain Black Snake, Mountain Pilot Snake, Pilot, Rat Snake, Rusty Black Snake, Scaly Black Snake, Cow Snake, White-throated Racer |
| Length |
106.5 cm-256.5 cm |
| Color |
Shiny black with some white between its scales; white lips, chin, throat and belly |
| Distribution |
Southern Wisconsin, south Massachusetts, Georgia, northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, southern Oklahoma, Texas, fewer numbers in southern Canada and northern New York |
| Habitat |
Forests, fields, farmland, and marshes |
| Diet |
Mice, voles, rats, frogs, lizards, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, birds, bird eggs, other snakes (including their own species) |
| Hibernation Fact |
Hibernates during winter months in dens often with other species of snakes |
| Predators |
Raccoon, fox, hawk, owl, American robin, other snakes |
| Venom Fact |
Non-venomous |
| Breeding Season |
End of May to early June |
| Mode of Reproduction |
Oviparous (Egg laying) |
| Clutch Size/Litter Size |
6 – 24 |
| Incubation Period |
Around 60 days |
| Reproductive Age |
4 years |
| Average Lifespan |
Up to 20 years |
| IUCN Conservation Status |
Least Concern |
Black Rat Snake Pictures Gallery
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Black Rat Snake Baby
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Black Rat Snake Eggs
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Black Rat Snake Images
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Black Rat Snake Pictures
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Black Rat Snake
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Black Rat Snakes
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Black Snake
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Pictures of Black Rat Snakes
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Pilot Black Snake
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Texas Ratsnake
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Western Rat Snake
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Pantherophis Obsoletus
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Black Rat Snake Bite
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Black Rat Snake Eating
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Baby Black Rat Snake
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Young Black Rat Snake
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Black Rat Snake Belly
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Black Rat Snake Care Sheet
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Black Rat Snake Care
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Black Rat Snake Habitat
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Black Rat Snake Range
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Juvenile Black Rat Snake
