This big, white-throated black snake can grow more than 6 feet long. Although it may make a rattling sound when it shakes its tail, it's not a rattlesnake, and it's not venomous. In Minnesota, this snake is found only in a few southeastern counties.

Identification

General description: The black rat snake is a long, dark-colored snake with a white chin and throat.

Size: These snakes generally range from 40 inches to 70 inches.

Color: Except for its chin and throat, the black rat snake is dark over most of its body, although faint blotchy patterns are often visible. Young rat snakes are gray with dark blotches.

Sounds: The black rat snake makes a rattling sound with its tail when threatened.

Reproduction

Black rat snakes mate in spring. The female lays about 12 eggs toward the end of summer. The babies are about 12 inches long when they hatch in autumn.

Food

Black rat snakes eat mice, shrews, chipmunks, and other rodents. Frogs, birds, and eggs may also be part of their diet. A black rat snake is a constrictor. It overcomes prey by striking at it, then holding it in its mouth while it wraps its body around it and suffocates it.

Predators

Raptors, coyotes, and foxes all eat black rat snakes. Raccoons sometimes eat their eggs.

Habitat and range

In Minnesota, this snake is only found in forests of the southeastern part of the state. They are active during the daytime.

Population and management

The black rat snake is on Minnesota's list of species of special concern. It is rarely seen in this state.

Fun facts

Birds need to beware of this big snake because it can climb into trees and rob their nests of eggs. Black rat snakes have been found hanging out in trees up to 40 feet off the ground. However, they are hard to see there because their coloring blends into the tree bark.