skip to main content

Reptiles & Amphibians

Eastern Ratsnake or Black Racer?

11 years ago

I've seen this snake around our yard in central Virginia several times over the last few years, I've narrowed it down to either an Eastern Ratsnake or a Black Racer, but haven't decided for certain between the two.

{{gwi:2132453}}

{{gwi:2132454}}

{{gwi:2132455}}

{{gwi:2132456}}

{{gwi:2132457}}

If it helps in the identification I have an impression of its bite pattern.

{{gwi:2132458}}

Because of this I have nicknamed the snake Mr Bitey.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

User
11 years ago
Hard call ... I'll defer to the people who are more familiar with it. \\

black racers have "a white chin and a grey belly" while the rat snake has blotches . I'll let you pick up "Mr. Bitey" and check where the white ends and if he has blotches or a grey belly
User
11 years ago
Hard call ... I'll defer to the people who are more familiar with it. \\

black racers have "a white chin and a grey belly" while the rat snake has blotches . I'll let you pick up "Mr. Bitey" and check where the white ends and if he has blotches or a grey belly
Related Discussions
2005 Herps
Q
Comments (10)
Let me think... Green Treefrog Gray Treefrog Spring Peeper Blanchards Cricket Frog Western Chorus Frog Bullfrog Green frog Bronze Frog Northern Leopard Frog (heard) Southern Leopard Frog American Toad Dwarf American Toad Fowlers Toad Blue Spotted Salamander Tiger Salamander Spotted Salamander Smallmouth Salamander Marbled Salamander Mole Salamander Longtail Salamander Cave Salamander Eastern Zigzag Salamander Southern Redback Salamander Northern Slimy Salamander Western Slimy Salamander Common Snapping Turtle Midland Painted Turtle Southern Painted Turtle Common Map Turtle Red Eared Slider Blanding's Turtle Eastern Collered Lizard Northern Fence Lizard Southern Coal Skink Five Lined Skink Broad-headed Skink Ground Skink Western Worm Snake Midwest Worm Snake Southern Black Racer Northern Ringneck Snake Mississippi Ringneck Snake Prairie Ringneck Snake Black Ratsnake Western Fox Snake Eastern Hognose Snake Speckled Kingsnake Black Kingsnake Yellowbelly Watern Snake Midland Water Snake Northern Water Snake Broad Banded Water Snake Queen Snake Midland Brown Snake Northern Redbelly Snake Eastern Garter Snake Chicago Garter Snake Lined Snake Western Cottonmouth Timber Rattlesnake Scott
...See More
East Kentucky Report (dial-up warning)
Q
Comments (3)
Thanks Wayne. It was a great snake. I was telling someone else that it really stinks to find something so great when you're by yourself and there's no one to share the great find with. This was probably my best trip to the gorge due the variety. I have found all these species there before, but not on the same day. Now if only those timbers would make an appearance...
...See More
Best Day Ever! Long Post
Q
Comments (8)
Well done Gary. I think that I may just know what area you found. I may email you to see. If not, I would love to know where the Timber den you found is. I work for a project that catalogs T&E herp species in Kansas and I am creating a map of all of the known Timber dens in northeast Kansas. The website for the project is: www.smoky-hills.com/kansas ...And let me just say, welcome to Kansas! :) chad
...See More
Kansas roadcruising report....
Q
Comments (2)
Chad, As I said on my reply to Mike's "Yesterday's Herps (Missouri)" post, I didn't start looking until mid-May but I'm doing well in spite of the hot temps. Of course, I've timed most of my trips around the start/end of storms and rainy weather, but I would still say that it's been a good late spring/early summer so far here in middle Tennessee and western Kentucky. I definitely think Arlene got lots of animals, not just herps, moving last week. My neighbor had to cut his fishing trip in the Gulf short because of it, but he said everything was really moving the day before it hit. They were very successful in the short time they were there. Evan
...See More
bob_cville
Original Author
11 years ago
I'll politely decline to pick him up. I don't think either of us would enjoy it. However I found another photo that might help, from when he was crawling in the rafters of the garage.

{{gwi:2144027}}

That looks like blotches to me -- so I guess that points to Eastern Ratsnake.

People usually say they are mostly harmless and will only bite if you step on them or something. My guess is that was what happened. I was pulling weeds that were sprouting up through the vinca patch in our front garden. I moved and reached for a weed, and felt a pricking sensation in the back of my leg, and thought I had snagged a thorny vine, such as wild rose bush, or greenbriar, or wild blackberry. I reached down to dislodge the vine rather than yank my leg free, and discovered the "vine" was about 1 inch in diameter, and black and bitey. Even though the rational part of my brain knew it was likely the non-venomous snake I had seen several times before, that part was overruled. I leaped about 6 feet in the air, screamed like a little girl, and ran for the house.
dick_9057
11 years ago
It's an Eastern Rat snake (black rat snake). Rat snakes crinkle there bodies up like in your 5th picture, black racers bodies stay mostly straight. Black racers live up to their name and flee when seen and rat snakes usually freeze in place. Great snake to have around your property. They will eliminate any mice you have along with chipmunks and large ones will eat squirrels.
User
11 years ago
Definitely an Eastern Ratsnake.

Related Stories

LIFE Tell Us: What Made You Fall for Your Kitchen?

By Annie Thornton

Show the heart of your home some love for Valentine’s Day

Sponsored

More Discussions

May be a long shot. Snake skin ID

0