Rat Snake (Elaphne obsoleta)

Abundant and statewide, Rat Snakes can be quite variable in appearance from yellowish and striped to brownish to solid black above. The underside, which is not usually visible unless captured, is mottled gray/white. The chin and underside of the head, however, is usually noticeably whitish. Dorsal scales are keeled. Superficially similar to Black Racers, racers have smooth scales, longer tails, and usually race off quickly when encountered in the wild. Young Rat Snakes are quite boldly blotched and often mistaken for other species.

Black Rat Snake (Elaphne obsoleta)
Orange Co., NC
29 May 2008

	Orange Co., NC 7 Jun 2006
	Orange Co., NC 7 Jun 2006

Orange Co., NC
29 May 2004

Rat Snakes are often encountered on roads & trails, and they often have a "wrinkled" or kinked appearance.

Durham Co., NC
24 Sep 2004

Rat Snakes are often found in crawlspaces or buildings where mice, toads, or other delicacies are hiding.

Carteret Co., NC
2 Dec 2005

Here I am holding a very docile Rat Snake as the temperature was very chilly the day we found it in the grass.

Photo by Will Cook.

	Lounging! Orange Co., NC 6 May 2006
	Orange Co., NC 6 May 2006

Here's lookin' atcha!

Orange Co., NC
16 May 2006

	Orange Co., NC 2 Apr 2007
	Orange Co., NC 2 Apr 2007

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Created on ... July 30, 2005 | Update on ... June 12, 2008 | jspippen@duke.edu