Eastern Rat Snake

Eastern Rat Snake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Grassland, Wetland, Urban
Activity: Nocturnal (Active at night)

A large non-venomous snake averaging 2ft-6ft in length. They have shiny black scales on their back and a light colored belly, and their throat and chin are white. The head of an eastern rat snake is wider than the neck and the rest of the body. In the Florida Peninsula, adult rat snakes can be yellow, orange, tan, or gray, with four dark, longitudinal stripes.

Diet

Carnivorous feeding on bird eggs, young birds, frogs, rodents and amphibians.

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Pantherophis
Species: Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Scientific Name

Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Breeding Season
May-late June

Behavior

The eastern rat snake is primarily active at night during the summer, and diurnal in the spring and fall. It is a terrestrial burrower and an excellent climber, and it may enter water. Eastern rat snakes brumate in colder months. Brumation is similar to hibernation — it allows the snake to be mostly asleep, but still wake up for occasional activities, such as drinking water. Rat snakes emit a foul-smelling odor when they feel threatened by a predator. This musk imitates what a poison would taste like. Eastern rat snakes are constrictor snakes and will use their body to suffocate their prey.

Ecological Role

Rat snakes help to control populations of rodents

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)

Habitat Types

Forest
Grassland
Wetland
Urban

Geographic Distribution

Found in the United States east of the Apalachicola River in Florida, east of the Piedmont in Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and south to the Florida Keys.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
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No field notes or observations available for this species.

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