Our Resident Black Rat Snake

Rizzo

Brought to Sharon Audubon Center: September 1998

History:  Rizzo was found in the Sharon and brought to the Audubon Center for care. He had been hit by a car and was suffering from minor injuries. Because black rat snakes are rare in this area, it is suspected that Rizzo was taken from another location and dropped off/lost in town.

Black Rat Snake

(Elaphe obsoleta)

Did You Know?

The non-venomous black rat snake is known to shake its tail in leaves and underbrush to mimic the sound of a rattle snake in order to frighten away potential predators.

Description:  Black rat snakes are almost completely black except for a white chin. Hatchlings of the black rat snake have a pale grey background with black blotches along the back.

Lifespan: 20-25 years

Size: One of the largest snakes in North America, these snakes have been known to grow to 8 feet in length.

Diet: mice, rats, chipmunks, squirrells, birds, eggs

Habitat: Rocky, wooded hillsides, forests, fields, marshes, and farmlands, sometimes dens in cavities in hollow trees.

Range:  The black rat snake is the most widely distributed common rat snake with a range throughout eastern North America from southeastern Minnesota to northern Louisiana to the east coast.