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.

36. The coloration is variable and depends on the color of the rocks and soil of the habitat. With their cryptic black coloration, they become invisible against the bark or resting on the dark forest floor. Western ratsnakes are natural, nonvenomous hunters of rodents, reducing damage to crops and stored grain. Darkening occurs rapidly as they grow. Predators of P. alleghaniensis include hawks (Buteo spp. Here is a quick look at most of Florida's snakes by pattern: Some are single uniform colors. "[1], Rocky country, including rocky hillsides and canyons, talus slopes and rock ledges. If provoked further, it may coil, shake its tail, and snap at its attacker. Posteriorly, the snake becomes solid black again. They are also capable of producing a foul-smelling musk, which they will release onto predators if picked up.

Pantherophis alleghaniensis, commonly called the eastern ratsnake, is a nonvenomous colubrid species endemic to North America. Prepared for the Committee of the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), November 2001. v+18pp. Common names of the massasauga include: massasauga rattlesnake, massasauga rattler (Ontario), black massasauga, black rattler, black snapper, gray rattlesnake (Iowa), little grey rattlesnake (Canada), muck rattler, prairie rattlesnake, spotted rattler, swamp rattler, víbora de cascabel (Mexico), dwarf prairie rattlesnake, eastern massasauga great adder, ground rattlesnake, Kirtland's rattlesnake, little black rattlesnake, Michigan point rattler (Michigan), prairie massasauga, rattlesnake, small prairie rattlesnake, snapper, swamp massasauga, swamp rattlesnake, and triple-spotted rattlesnake. Adult eastern rat snakes have few known predators other than humans. In these climates, the snakes require southern exposures to receive maximal thermal benefit from the winter sun and to provide basking areas in early spring and late fall.[11][13]. They prefer hardwood forest and woodland, wooded canyons, swamps, rocky outcroppings, wooded areas near streams and rivers, farmland near woods, around barns, old fields and abandoned houses. [10][11][12][13][14] In the Florida Panhandle, it readily hybridizes with the gray rat snake (Pantherophis spiloides). The pattern (if present) may consist of rhombs, bands or blotches. Description 6 Ground Snakes live in rocky glades and woodlands, where they live under flat rocks. Habitat. Pp. Although it can defend itself by trying to bite, by vibrating its tail ominously, and by smearing a stinky musk on attackers, this snake often becomes food for hawks and other predators. Solid black melanistic examples are also known, as well as cases where the back blotches join with those on the sides. They are generally solitary but during winter they hibernate in dens, often with copperheads and Timber rattlesnakes.
Habitat. Adult eastern rat snakes have few known predators other than humans. Western rat snakes … Crotalus pyrrhus is a venomous pitviper species found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.A medium-sized snake, it is found mostly in rocky country, active at night and feeding on small mammals.The coloration is variable and depends on the color of the rocks and soil of the habitat. Also found in Mexico in northwestern Sonora and northern Baja California. Adults feed mainly on rodents, while juveniles usually prey on reptiles, more often lizards in western populations and snakes in eastern ones. This species was long known as the black rat snake, and many know it simply as "black snake." Different species of snake can often be distinguished by their characteristic color patterns. The anal plate is divided, and the scales are weakly keeled dorsally becoming smooth on the first two or three scale rows on the sides. [citation needed] Both of these scenarios can be prevented by avoiding hiking through areas of low visibility (in rattlesnake country) when not wearing shoes and long pants and by leaving the snakes alone if encountered.
[12], Pantherophis alleghaniensis is found in the United States east of the Apalachicola River in Florida, east of the Chattahoochee River in Georgia, east of the Appalachian Mountains, north to southeastern New York and western Vermont, eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, south to the Florida Keys.

[4], Hartnett (1931) describes a case of a man who was bitten on his left thumb. [12] The longest recorded total length to date is 230 cm (90 in). 2. In most cases, these highlights accent a blotched pattern that is much more evident in young specimens. Western ratsnakes eat a variety of rodents, small rabbits, bats, bird eggs, small birds, and, on occasion, lizards. Males use pheromones to attract females passing through their territories and will initiate the mating process with the female. Young are light gray or tan, with distinct dark brown or black blotches on the back and sides; a black band passes between the eyes and angles down toward the mouth. They spread the musk with their tails in hopes of deterring the threat. ), great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), foxes, raccoons, and domestic cats. Black Snake, Black Rat Snake, Black Ratsnake, Texas Ratsnake, The western ratsnake was long known as the black rat snake, and many know it simply as "black snake.". Eastern rat snakes do especially well in early successional and edge habitats. This ability allows easy access to the hollow cavity of an old tree and possible relief from unbearably hot summer temperatures. Western ratsnakes take shelter in brushpiles, hollow trees, farm buildings, and old houses where mice are plenty. Statewide. Adults grow to an average length of 3 feet (91 cm), but may sometimes exceed 4 feet (120 cm). It is illegal to kill or collect this species by law in Iowa.

When startled, they may freeze and wrinkle themselves into a series of kinks. [7], S. catenatus is found in North America from Ontario, Canada and western New York southwest to southeastern Arizona in the United States and northern Tamaulipas, Mexico. It has heat-sensing pits on each side of its smallish head, the scales are keeled, and the anal scale is single. We have thousands of exotic reptiles for sale from top breeders from around the world. If they feel further threatened, they may flee quickly or perform a tail vibrate (potentially a form of mimicry, which makes them sound like rattlesnakes). Prey is killed by constriction. © Herpetologists, like ornithologists, carefully apply common names that correspond exactly to the scientific names. They may congregate in the same dens with other species of snakes, such as copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix), eastern racers (Coluber constrictor) and timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus). Western ratsnakes are excellent climbers and often bask in trees. Generally shiny black, but some individuals show dark brown blotches. Adults are glossy black above with white lips, chin, and throat. Eggs, usually 6–30, are laid in June or early July in rotten stumps or logs, sawdust piles, or under rocks. As a predator, this snake helps keep populations of other animals, especially rodents, in check.


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