Tree climber

Black Rat Snakes (also known as Eastern Ratsnakes) are one of the largest snakes native to Pennsylvania. At maturity, they can reach lengths of six to nearly eight feet. They are well known as tree climbers as evidenced by the video footage. Black Rat Snakes consume a wide variety of living prey. They catch and eat mice, rats, chipmunks, squirrels, amphibians, birds and even bird eggs. The tree that the snake in the video is ascending regularly holds gray and red squirrel dens and recently a litter of red squirrels occupied the very cavity the snake was inspecting.

Black Rat Snakes are especially fond of barns, old foundations and edge habitats where there is a mix of fields, brush, shrubs and woods. Because of their excellent ability to climb they can find food almost anywhere within their home range. Black Rat Snakes are the species most likely to find its way into someone’s attic in a rural or suburban setting. Attics are ideal because they can get very warm during the summer and retain their heat into the evenings. Mice, chipmunks, red and gray squirrels, flying squirrels and bats as well as starlings or sparrows may occupy a typical attic. All are desired prey items for a Black Rat Snake. Rafters and joists are perfect locations for black rat snakes to hang out, hunt for prey and shed their skin.   

While all species of snakes serve important ecological roles, persons in the know respect and admire Black Rat Snakes, because they are harmless to people and are one of nature’s most efficient pest removal agents. Black Rat Snakes are easy to identify because of their size and the fact they are not solid black in coloration. They always show an underlying pattern of mottling and bands upon close inspection. They also have semi-keeled (tent shaped) scales. Black Racers can grow just as large but are shiny black (smooth scales) with no underlying pattern and are less likely to be found around houses, barns and people. When encountered a Black Rat Snake may coil up and not attempt to flee. However, racers very commonly take off in a hurry, hence living up to their names.

In early summer, Black Rat Snake females seek out appropriate places to lay between 5 and 30 eggs in areas such as mulch piles, hollow or rotten logs, compost and anywhere else that warm, looses, soft substrate is available. Between seven to fifteen weeks later, near the end of summer, young snakes will hatch from leathery eggs and leave the nest to begin life as beneficial pest control agents.

Narration and video capture by Andrew Shiels, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Fisheries.