Identification and control of snakes in alabama alabama extension. Eastern rat snakes, formerly known as black rat snakes, are large nonvenomous snakes between 3. It has a black, scaly body and a white belly and chin. Eastern indigo snake the eastern indigo snake drymarchon couperi is a large nonvenomous snake of the colubridae family. This fairly small, secretive relative of the cobra has black and red rings separated by yellow rings, and a black snout. The gray rat snake, or elaphe spiloides, is very similar to the black rat snake and tends to inhabit rocky areas and open plains. The black snake is not venomous and most species arent known to be aggressive, but if they feel threatened, they will bite. In highly wooded areas in the general vicinity of the border of the united states and canada, pituophis m melanolcucus, or the northern pine snake is often found. The body of this young, venomous water moccasin is very thick for its length, and has a relatively short, thick tail. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else.
Variations in color are noticeable in gray rat snakes with individuals in south alabama being much lighter than those found elsewhere. The venomous serpents of alabamas summer days and nights. In fact eleven different subspecies inhabit almost every state in the lower 48 states. The slide show has a photo of each snake that calls alabama home. Approximately 50 species of snakes occur throughout the state. In the us, the mostcommon snake that would match that description would be a common black snake. For spottings of snake species in alabama, arkansas, florida, georgia, kentucky, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, south carolina, tennessee, and virginia. Eastern rat snake black rat snake elaphe obsoleta or pantherophis alleghaniensis according to the virginia department of game and inland fisheries, this is a shiny, primarily black snake. March 12, 2019 black snake baby black snake, florida black snake, tiny black snake, brown snake, spotted black snake, missouri black snake, alabama black snake, black rat snake, black snake georgia, black snake australia, black kingsnake, black snake art, indigo snake, garter snake, black snake with red eyes, black racer snake, black snake with white stripes, black snake film, coral snake. The black rat snake is found in the united states from new england throughout the south, the midwest and into texas, with populations in southern canada. A list of venomous and nonvenomous snakes of alabama. The eastern coral snake, copperhead, cottonmouth, eastern diamondback, timber rattlesnake and pygmy rattlesnake. The snakes venom is cytotoxic, and it is rarely fatal.
Yellow rat snakes have black and greenish yellow stripes running lengthwise down the body. I accidentally deleted the video of the gray ratsnake i found in tennessee but there is a photo at the end of the video as you can see. Large, nonvenomous snake that is commonly found in rafters and trees. Black racer snakes are nonvenomous, but suddenly sighting them could cause quite a scare. Above, an eastern ratsnake retreats from a hiking trail at eastern neck state park in. Snakes with high conservation concern are the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, prairie kingsnake, eastern kingsnake, speckled kingsnake, eastern coral snake, northern pine snake, florida pine snake, and north. If you find a black snake while mowing dont kill it heres why. Two species, the mud snake and rainbow snake live in the muddy waters of ponds, creeks, swamps and slow moving southeast streams, and the range also extends a bit up the alabama river valley. Juvenile rat snake photo by rw van devender photo by jd willson yellow rat snake photo by eric stine intergrade phase. The gray rat subspecies is slightly smaller than the black rat, attaining a maximum length of only about 84 inches. Virginia herpetological society this is really two species, the black rat snake aka eastern ratsnake and the northern black racer. Racers have a larger range, though the black racer also can be found in the eastern part of the united states, from maine to louisiana. If youve been scratched by a cat, it actually feels 10x worse. Habitat use by black rat snakes elaphe obsoleta obsoleta in fragmented forests.
Snakes are a component of alabama s diverse wildlife. The nonvenomous snakes in alabama also have round pupils and small heads. The black rat snake grows to three to six feet in length. The sixth venomous snake in alabama is the coral snake. Snakes you might encounter here the cullman tribune.
The odds of encountering a venomous snake are much less, as only six snakes in alabama are venomous. Black rat snakes hunt during the day during spring and fall but hunt at night in the summer to avoid the strong heat of the sun. Yellow rat snakes can resemble large garter snakes with four dark stripes running the length of a yellow, olive, or orange body. More alabama colubrid snakes black racer coluber constrictor is the general name for one of the most widespread of all the racer snakes. Texas rat snake elaphe obsoleta lindheimerii saw a couple more interesting birds but other than. Black rat snakes are the largest species of rat snake. Identification and control of snakes in alabama alabama. A juvenile elaphc guttata emoryi from reynolds county, missouri. Defense for black rat snakes although humans are the adult black rat snake s main predators, young snakes are exposed to the threat. Listed below is a guide to help you identify snakes by predominant color. Common in a variety of habitats, and feeds on rodents and birds. Please only post photographs of wild snakes and also include the date and location of your observations. These snakes are mainly found in in the eastern united states and midwest. As far as the rat snake species goes, the black rat snake is the most common.
A harmless snake the same length would be much more slender and would have a much longer, thinner tail see below. Mar 19, 2009 populations in extreme northeastern alabama are e. Pygmy rattlesnake this snake is small, growing up to 30 inches in length. Adult rat snakes are typically 35 ft 91152 cm, but large individuals may be more than 6 ft 183 cm long. Rat snakes are usually rather docile, but may bite and release foulsmelling musk if picked up or threatened.
In general rat snakes are not venomous, and they should be known for being nonvenomous. Classified in this category are the dusky pygmy rattlesnake and the carolina pygmy rattlesnake. Red rat snake morelia spilota this species is a large snake found in australia, indonesia and new. Rat snakes are agile, black and like to hang out where humans do no surprise, considering their main delicacy, rats, also stick close to people. Genetic studies have led some experts to consider the north american species of rat snake to be in the genus pantherophis and to suggest that some of the subspecies represent distinct species. The head of an eastern rat snake is wider than the neck and the rest of the body. These include the eastern indigo snake, southern hognose snake and the mimic glass lizard. Belly is white with boxlike dark gray to brownish blotches and dark spots that become stripes under the tail. Many snakes vary greatly and are listed under several categories. As a snake owner and a wildlife rehabilitation volunteer, black snakerat snake bites dont hurt. The black rat snake is more common in north alabama, while the gray rat. In general, black rat snakes are a mediumsized snake.
The slender eastern coachwhip is one of georgias longest nonvenomous snakes, at 6 to 7 feet. When alarmed, black rat snakes will coil their body to appear threatening. The black rat snake is also known as the pilot black snake doesnt have any venom. How to identify a juvenile rat snake appalachian feet. Black rat snakes and their removal is the most common call that our offices through the eastern united states receive.
There is a chance you might bleed a little bit, but like any minor injury, just washing it with antibacterial soap will clear it right up. Find highquality rat snake stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. Pantherophis obsoletus also known as the western rat snake, black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake is a nonvenomous species of colubridae found in central north america. If you find a black snake while mowing dont kill it heres. A few commonly encountered snakes around homes include the harmless black racer, garter snake and rat snake. The snakes will often reach a length of over 5 feet, however the average size for a. The black rat snake is a very large, thick bodied snake that is for the most part black in color. Black rat snake large, nonvenomous snake that is commonly found in rafters and trees. The smell is usually enough to get the problem to go away.
Unless otherwise noted, every species on this list is protected everywhere regardless of what state law says about snakes. Black rat snakes mostly eat small rodents, such as mice, rats, moles and chipmunks. Uncommon to fairly common throughout coastal plain, wherever suitable habitat is found. Color is a common name applied to many of the species as well as the black racer. Rat snakes are amongst my favorite snakes, and in this video, i travel across the united states and find some of the coolest rat snakes out there.
The gray ratsnake, often referred to as the chicken snake or the rat snake, is the most common snake found to enter homes in tennessee, kentucky, south carolina, florida, north carolina, ohio, virginia, georgia, alabama, mississippi, and arkansas. Despite once occurring widely in the coastal plain of the southeastern united states from georgia to mississippi, as of the early twentyfirst century eastern indigo snake populations are typically only found in southeastern georgia and peninsular florida. Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta black rat snake is the most widely distributed common rat snake with a range from new england south through georgia and west across the northern parts of alabama, mississippi, and louisiana, and north through oklahoma to southern wisconsin. Pantherophis obsoletus is found west of the mississippi. The gray ratsnake is one of about ten species within the american ratsnake genus pantherophis. Rat snake amphibians and reptiles of north carolina. Common in a variety of habitats, and feeds on rodents and. Although rat snakes are not venomous and they lack two fangs seen in venomous species, a bite from any rat snake can be rather painful, as the saliva of the snake may. Coral snakethis snake is easily recognizable due to its red and black bands separated by yellow bands. The black racer snake, known as coluber constrictor priapus, is one of the most common types of nonvenomous snakes in the southern united states.
They have been known to be found in some northern parts of oklahoma and, further, have been found in isolated patches. Black rat snake black rat snake is a nonvenomous, mediumsized, yet powerful constrictor endemic to central north america. Usually their size is the most intimidating feature, not their bite, as some can reach 8ft in length. The gray rat snake has a gray background color with brown to dark gray. Young black rat snakes, called hatchlings, are light gray with black blotches along the back. Apr 21, 2014 alabama black rat snake sometimes called the black runner because it is so fast. Alabama s 4050 snake species are now on the loose looking for food and mates during their most active period of the year spring to early summer fortunately for alabamians, there arent many venomous serpents in the yellowhammer state, but several of them are common, and close. However, they can produce a terrible smell when they have some type of threat around them. This small snake 1015 inches has smooth scales, a glossy black back and a bright orange belly figure 2. May 26, 2018 we found this beautiful black snake while mowing, and we did not kill it. Snake species of the highest conservation concern are the eastern indigo, rainbow snake, southern hognose snake, and black pine snake.
The great plains rat snake, al though more terrestrial in habits than most other members of the genus, has considera ble ability in climbing. I turned the snakes loose right where i found them i will not kill a snake any type they take care of the rat population and insects snakes do a lot of good, rats. Other nonvenomous species in georgia include smooth and rough earth snakes, rat snakes, crayfish snakes, eastern and southern hognose snakes, indigo snakes and black racers. The black rat snake is more common in north alabama, while the gray rat snake is more common in the south.
The gray ratsnake or gray rat snake pantherophis spiloides, also commonly known as the central ratsnake, chicken snake, midland ratsnake, or pilot black. Black swampsnakes are only found in and around wetlands. There is also an isolated population in southern canada and northern new york. Adult rat snakes can reach a length of 6 if you find a smaller snake with a pale gray body, a pattern of dark gray blotches, and a checkered underbelly, it is likely the juvenile for any of the above rat snakes. The gray ratsnake or gray rat snake pantherophis spiloides, also commonly known as the central ratsnake, chicken snake, midland ratsnake, or pilot black snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the genus pantherophis in the subfamily colubrinae. Black rat snakes are more northern in distribution and are characteristically black on top with a faint hint of white between some of the scales.
The picture shows the mud snake, a striking black and red colored snake. For sake of simplicity on this list, were going to list every species of snake here in the united states that is currently protected under the endangered species act of 1973. One of the telling characteristics of this subspecies of snake is that they are very active during daytime. This is just an evidence of the early origin of venom in snake lineages. This fairly small, secretive relative of the cobra has black and red rings separated by yellow. The appearance of rat snakes varies greatly throughout the geographic range. The eastern rat snake, like the eastern racer, is a constrictor. Indigenous species include one species of crocodilian, 12 lizard species, 49 snake species, and 31 turtle species. They have shiny black scales on their back and a light colored belly, and their throat and chin are white. Rat snakes, such as the black rat snake or the everglades rat snake, are more aggressive than corn snakes and will bite if handled incorrectly, or if they feel uncomfortable.
Alabamas 4050 snake species are now on the loose looking for food and mates during their most active period of the year spring to early summer. The black swampsnake inhabits coastal areas from north carolina to florida figure 1. I lived in oakwood georgia for 5 years and i caught a black rat snake and a garter, snake,in a field beside my house that also had woods and the wood line was 50,yards from the house. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and. These include the eastern indigo snake, southern hognose snake and the. Unlike the pit viper, the coral snake has a small head, round pupils, and a slender body. Rat snakes are excellent swimmers, so their first choice is to flee. The gray rat snake has a gray background color with brown to dark gray blotches. Black rat snake pantherophis obsoletus introduction. Uncommon to fairly common throughout coastal plain, wherever suitable habitat is.
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