Black Rat Snake
(Elaphe obsoleta)
Photo Courtesy of Aaron Greene
The Black Rat Snake is 32 - 101 inches in length. They tend to be plain back with occasional traces of white between the scale. The belly tends to be white, yellow or gray with dark mottling.
Mating occurs from April to June and in the fall producing clutches of 5 - 30 eggs which are laid from June to August in rotting logs, leaf litter or under rocks. The eggs are smooth and elongated and are usually 1.5 - 2 inches in size. The young hatch 7 - 15 weeks later in August through October and are usually 11 - 16 inches long.
The Black Rat Snake is diurnal in spring and fall, but becomes nocturnal in summer. They can often be found climbing trees to get to birds and eggs for food. They can also be found feeding on rodents and lizards. These snakes will often hibernate with Timber Rattlesnakes and are sometimes referred to as the Pilot Black Snake or Pilot Snake.