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Reptiles & Amphibians

Is this a black rat snake?

16 years ago

This 6' long snake spent a few hours in a shrub by our door, much to our fascination as we watched it and the hummingbirds on the feeder nearby as they flew in close over and over to check it out. My best id is that it was a black rat snake. We live in North Georgia.

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Comments (2)

troutwind
16 years ago
I can't make an ID but, unless the gray, opaque looking eyes are an artifact of of the flash process then the snake appears to be preparing to shed its skin
danetherton
16 years ago
It is most certainly a Black Rat Snake, and does look like it is going to shed; probably why the hummingbirds survived. It is kind of hard to see the keels on the back, but all the markings say "Black Rat Snake". Racers don't have that "loaf of bread" body shape seen in the second photo.
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May be a long shot. Snake skin ID

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