Black Rat Snake HD

The Black Rat Snake is Canada's largest snake, reaching lengths of just over 6 feet.

In Ontario, it is primarily located within a narrow geographic ribbon from about Kingston north to around Smiths Falls. Semi-arboreal, it can sometimes be found in trees. While it can swim with the best, it is not an 'aquatic' snake, yet it seems never to be found too far from a permanent body of water.

Black Rat Snakes are constrictors, which means they basically squeeze the life out of their prey, breaking bones and bursting internal organs, before it is consumed. As the name suggests, they do eat rats, but they will not hesitate to climb a tree where they will happily take a bird for a meal.

Hatchlings and juveniles are heavily patterned, but they become darker with age. Typically, adults appear black on top and white with a checkerboard pattern on the bottom. There is almost always some trace of pattern, even in the oldest adults.

This one was slowly making its way across the road when my son and I discovered it on May 5, 2011, near Westport, Ontario.

Shot on Canon T2i using a Sigma 28mm macro lens. Handheld.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• black rat snake
• constrictor
• canada
• ontario
• eastern
• perth
• westport
• murphy's point
• 1000 islands
• gananoque
• spring
• adult
• elaphe obsoleta
• frontenac axis
• native species
• brock hodgkinson
• canon t2i
• Sigma 28mm
• wilderness
• wildlife
• reptile
• camera
• DSLR
• FCP

[xexodusx]

how the hell did you get that close to it?

[beerock2000]

@xexodusx

I'm careful to avoid a bite, I guess. I've done this before. But, if you are bitten, it's not so bad. You've hurt yourself worse while skateboarding, believe me. The important thing is to be aware of the snake's stress level and to try not to push your luck. I simply took this one off the road and quickly grabbed some footage before setting him off on his way.

[georgiahoosier]

Beautiful animal. I didn't know they did the rattlesnake mimic trick like that.

There's been a yellow rat snake living in our back yard for the last few seasons, but this year he seems to have been replaced with a brown corn snake.

Nice shots with the T2i too!

[beerock2000]

@georgiahoosier

I'm coming to your house. I've seen your videos. You live in some prime snake habitat, my friend. Where abouts in Georgia? I've been through Savannah and I've stayed in Stephen C. Foster State Park in Okeefenokee.

[AnimalExpert1000]

Now this is very interesting!

[Heatseeker872591]

excellent quality, i love rat snakes, own a grey myself

[jameswalt1]

I'm also curious how you got so close?

[georgiahoosier]

@beerock2000 If you've been to Savannah you were close, Statesboro is about 45 miles to the west.

I'm trying to catch some images of a big black snake that has taken up residence in a hole in a pecan tree next door.

It's about 15 feet off the ground and he has been seen zipping up and down the trunk with no trouble at all.

Come see us as they say! :)