Quick Take
- A rat snake sighting in your yard is actually a signal, though not the one most homeowners assume. What their presence signals →
- Rat snakes quietly protect your yard from diseases most people don't even know rodents carry. See the disease connection →
- Birds have a hidden reason to benefit from rat snakes, and it has nothing to do with food. Discover the nesting benefit →
Most people panic at the sight of a snake in their yard. However, not all snakes are harmful pests that require removal. While some might bite and can be deadly, others can actually contribute to a healthy ecosystem. For example, the rat snake poses no threat to humans and serves as a natural form of pest control. Having one in your garden or backyard can be more of a blessing than a curse.
If you notice a rat snake in your yard, understand that there are ample reasons to leave it be. Keep reading to learn why rat snakes are actually a positive visitor to have, not a dangerous pest to kill.
Are Rat Snakes Dangerous?
First and foremost, it’s important to note that rat snakes, not to be confused with rattlesnakes, are not dangerous. Even if they were to bite when cornered or threatened, they are non-venomous and won’t kill you. Additionally, they are mostly docile creatures and typically won’t attack unless provoked.
“Rat snakes are not venomous or poisonous and, like all snakes, swallow their food whole,” says Melissa Amarello, Executive Director at Advocates for Snake Preservation. “That means that they cannot eat people or most of our pets, so they are completely harmless and will not attack us.”
Rat snakes might look scary, but they’re typically docile creatures.
©Rusty Dodson/Shutterstock.com
Of course, this doesn’t mean they can’t get into trouble in your yard. Amarello notes that if you have chicken eggs or chicks, you’ll want to fence snakes out of your coop. That being said, there is no reason to kill or harm a rat snake in your yard, as they’re usually shy and calm.
Benefits of Having Rat Snakes in Your Yard
Now that we know they don’t pose a threat to humans or most pets, let’s discuss the many benefits of rat snakes.
Indicates a Healthy Ecosystem
The presence of a rat snake in your yard is actually a positive sign. Experts say they are ecological indicators, suggesting a healthy environment.
“Rat snakes are great neighbors!” says Amarello. “They pose no threat to people or pets, and play a vital role in nature as predator and prey. Their presence indicates a healthy and productive ecosystem.”
If you have a garden, these non-venomous snakes will help protect your plants and crops by controlling pests, rather than damaging them.
Rat snakes cannot eat people or most of our pets, so they are completely harmless and will not attack us.
Melissa Amarello, Executive Director at Advocates for Snake Preservation
Acts as Natural Pest Control
Rat snakes didn’t get their name from eating plants. The rat snake is a vital apex predator, helping to manage a pest-free yard. Their diet consists primarily of, you guessed it, rats and other rodents. Rather than viewing them as a threat, recognize that they’re actually a helpful addition to your yard. Their presence can eliminate the need for chemical pesticides to keep your garden safe.
“Rat snakes are effective, all-natural pest control,” says Amarello. “They won’t raid your garden or chew up your wires, but they will eat the critters that do.”
Rat snakes are common backyard critters.
©jadimages/Shutterstock.com
Additionally, these snakes can help prevent the spread of harmful diseases. Unfortunately, rodents can contaminate your vegetable garden or backyard through their urine, feces, and saliva. Mice and rats are known to transmit diseases like Salmonella, Hantavirus, and Leptospirosis, which are incredibly dangerous.
“Rat snakes are excellent mousers and will even take Packrats,” Amarello explains. “They eat vectors and carriers of many diseases and parasites, including The Plague, Lyme disease, and fleas. So more snakes in the neighborhood means less disease for people and pets.”
Provides Food Source to Birds
While rat snakes consume common pests, they also serve as a food source for larger predators like hawks and mammals. This is the epitome of “the circle of life.”
“Rat snakes are an important source of food for many birds of prey and mammals,” Amarello explains. Having rat snakes in your yard helps support a more abundant and balanced ecosystem.
Helps Birds with Nesting
Rat snakes also benefit birds in other ways. Birds often use snake skin as nest material, and doing so can keep predators from attacking the nests and their occupants.
“Snake sheds can deter mammalian predators from nests, so they may serve an important role in nestling survival,” Amarello says.
What to Do If You See a Rat Snake in Your Yard
If you notice a rat snake roaming around your yard, your best bet is to just let it be. Since it doesn’t pose a threat to you and is actually beneficial to your environment, you can safely move on without moving it. Take it as a sign that your yard is healthy and thriving.
If you do want the snake to leave your yard, consider gently spraying it with water or contacting a wildlife control service. Whatever you do, do not kill a rat snake.
