Eastern Ratsnake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Conservation Status:
State Status: Apparently Secure
Global Assessment: Least Concern
Photographed by Mark Apgar in East Lyme
Description
Eastern ratsnakes are large, growing from four to six feet long. They have shiny dark brown or black scales. Their bellies are white with a black checker pattern. Juveniles are silver or gray with a black saddle pattern.
Habitat
These snakes can be found in forests– primarily hardwood, rocky slopes,
wetlands, and farmlands. They may even be spotted in barns.
Behavior
Ratsnakes are arboreal, and are commonly found in trees. They are active from April to October, and are nocturnal in the summer and diurnal over spring and fall. During the winter
they hibernate underground, sometimes with copperheads, black racers, and rattlesnakes. They eat rodents, birds, smaller snakes, amphibians, and chickens. Some predators of this species include large birds, racoons, and cats. When threatened, they may vibrate their tail to mimic a rattlesnake and are quick to bite. When handled, they release an unpleasant smell. They mate in May and June, and lay ten to twenty eggs under debris or in soil.
Range
Present
Eastern Ratsnake
Photographed by Alton Spencer
Often Confused with
Northern Black Racer
Photographed by David Reik
Black racers have a cylindrical body shape, thin heads, and an overall slender build while ratsnakes are longer, have larger heads, and a square shaped body. Eastern ratsnakes have more white on their chins compared to racers. Black racers also lack the black checkered pattern that is found on the bellies of ratsnakes, and have smooth scales.