Name:  Black Rat Snake

Scientific Name:  Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta

Location:  Throughout Ohio

Habitat:  Woodpecker holes and other cavities in trees

Info:  Usually four to six feet long, some have been known to be more than eight feet long.  An essentially forest loving snake, the snake is a accomplished tree climber and often found high in trees.

    When first encountered, they freeze in position attempting to blend in with their surroundings.  They remain motionless until grasped, and strike repeatedly when captured.  When picked up they coil tightly around the arm and discharge a foul-smelling substance from the anal sent glands.  After being handled for a short time they usually calm down and make excellent captives.

    Black rat snakes usually hibernate in rock crevices in the company of other snakes such as rattlers and copperheads.  This habit gave rise to fallacy that rat snakes "pilot" these venomous snakes to safety in times of danger; thus they are often called pilot black snakes.  Black Rat snakes play a vital role in controlling destructive rodents.

Created by: Jamie Fitch and Jason Hatfield
Last updated: July 17, 2002
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