"The Common Rat Snake is known for having excellent climbing skills, including the ability to climb the trunks of large mature trees without the aid of branches!" "If cornered, they sometimes mimic rattlesnakes by vibrating the tip of their tail, giving off a low-pitch buzzing sound."
ScientificName - Elaphe obsoleta RANGE - LIFESPAN - Unknown
DIET - Mice, rats, chipmunks, squirrels, birds, eggs and other snakes (even venomous) WIDTH - 1.5 inch diameter WEIGHT -
LENGTH- 42 to 72 inches (Record 101") HUNTING STYLE - Constrictor STATUS - Doing Well
PROTECTION - None
The Common Rat Snake is a non-venomous, medium-sized snake, averaging 42 to 72 inches in length and 1.5 inches in diameter at the widest point of its body. The rat snake is covered with keeled scales, and has a strong slender body and a wedge-shaped head. Common rat snakes tend to be shy and will avoid confrontation when possible. If confronted by danger, they tend to freeze and remain motionless. Sometimes they will coil their body and vibrate their tails in leaves to simulate a rattlesnake. If that doesn't work the snake will strike. Rat snakes also release a foul-smelling musk as a deterrent ,if they are picked up. Rat snakes are excellent swimmers but spend a lot of time in trees. Rat snakes are primarily known as rodent eaters, however other food preferences do exist. Young rat snakes eat small lizards, baby mice, and occasionally small frogs. Adult rat snakes have a diet mainly consisting of mice and rats, but also include birds, bird eggs, chipmunks, squirrels, and other small rodents. Like most snakes, rat snakes lay eggs. Between March and May, snakes emerge from winter hibernation and begin to seek out a mate. The male tends to wait for the female to pass through its territory, and, using pheromones attracts the female. The male lines up with the female, and attempts to wrap his tail around hers to mate. Mating can last only a few minutes or span a few hours. About five weeks later, the female lays 12 to 20 eggs in a hidden area, such as hollow logs or leaves. The eggs will hatch 65 to 70 days later. The hatchlings are vigorous eaters and will double their body size rather quickly. If conditions are good, females can produce two clutches of eggs per year.
