photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Rich Stevenson | all galleries >> Galleries >> 2007 Waterfalls & Other Adventures > Black Rat Snake
previous | next
12-2-07

Black Rat Snake

Next stop was the nearby Big Bearpen Branch. On the way through the rhododendron I came up on a 3-4' snake hanging out in a tree. "Come closer you fool!"


other sizes: small medium original auto
comment | share
Rich Stevenson28-Dec-2007 13:28
Thanks for the correction! I don't mind at all. The area was under a bit of a warm spell - it was 62 on this day. After I quit bothering it, it slithered back down the tree and into a hole at the base.
D. F. Thornton 27-Dec-2007 05:42
12/2, should be hibernating! I hate having to be PC or correcting you but this snake is a Black Rat Snake(Elaphe o. obsoleta). The adult Black Racer is nearly all black, with the exception of a white chin and neck. Racers are also thiner and much faster. In a situation like this the Racer would have taken off, you may have got a shot of his tail. One more way to tell them apart is to imagine them cut in two, please just imagine this. A rat snakes body is shaped like a loaf of bread. This shape gives the snake more of a foothold for climbing. The racers body is cylindrical. However it too is a great climber. It climbs with speed.
James Lundy08-Dec-2007 12:41
That's a big one! I hike alot and see snakes, no biggie but seeing one coiled in a tree like this well I would have crapped my pants. Just something about it's pose here is awesome and threatning at the same time. Heck of a capture as they are very skidish and FAST!