Friday Find: Rat snake
Finding a rat snake coiled up on a bit of shrubbery is a bit of a surprise. Rat snakes like this Elaphus obsoleta are among the most abundant snakes around, and are incredibly economically beneficial. As the name suggests, they are major predators on various pest species.
This one was just hanging out comfortably on a branch. I nearly walked right past it. The snake didn’t seem to mind me going in for a close-up, which is unusual. These snakes are known to be a bit touchy.
Even though these snakes are quite common and can get up to 8 feet long, they still manage to hide right under our noses.
A biologist and statistician by day, battling pseudoscience and raising a family by night.
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Particularly when trod upon by six-year old boys. Gave me a nice shot to my ankle as a thank-you.
For years, black rat snakes returned to the same hollow trunk next to my house (until the trunk fell down). At least one was the same, identifiable by a stumpy tail. One lives in my attic, keeping down the mouse population there. They’re great climbers–I saw this one in the vines above my garage door.
What a beautiful creature!