Quick Take
- A nine-foot snake lurking near your shed sounds like a nightmare. Finding one, however, might actually be the best thing that happens to your garden all year. See the garden benefits →
- Black rat snakes have a defense move that fools even experienced outdoorspeople into thinking they're facing something far more deadly. See the rattlesnake mimicry →
- They look like one of North America's most feared snakes, but they’re actually harmless. See the real risk →
Just imagine: You are enjoying a day in your garden. You finish in one area and head to your shed to get more supplies. Just as you’re rounding the corner of the building, you encounter the biggest snake you’ve ever seen. Worse, it looks like a black mamba, dark-scaled and fierce. Even with just a quick, fearful glance, you realize the snake is probably longer than you are tall. Meet the black rat snake, one of the largest serpents native to North America.
Black rat snakes are incredibly long, with specimens regularly reaching mature lengths of 6 to 8 feet. Remarkably, the record for the longest black rat snake sits at 9 feet. With its dark visage and intimidating length, the sight of even a coiled black rat snake in the corner of a garden is enough to make even the most experienced snake handler stop in their tracks. However, there is more to black rat snakes than meets the eye. Let’s find out why.
Size and Scales
Unlike other snakes in North America, black rat snakes grow incredibly long. Plus, unlike mammals, snakes continue to grow throughout their lives. An eight-foot rat snake is likely an older individual, one that has evaded predators for a decade or longer.
The reason some black rat snakes are bigger than others has to do with their access to food and their environment. Those who live near grain silos, barns, or other locations with abundant food sources are likely to live longer than those who struggle for sustenance. Plus, regional weather can play a part. Some anecdotal reports suggest black rat snakes in warmer climates may grow larger, but scientific evidence for this trend is limited.
Dangerous or Not?
Black rat snakes can grow up to 9 feet in length, although growing larger may not be out of the question.
©Psychotic Nature/Shutterstock.com
Readers who are anxious or uncomfortable around snakes may be wondering if they need to worry about black rat snakes. The answer, fortunately, is no, not really. They are not venomous and are generally not dangerous to humans, dogs, or cats. However, they may bite if threatened, which could potentially harm small pets.
They may look large and sinister, but black rat snakes are actually non-venomous constrictors. This means they lack fangs and venom. That said, it is still pretty easy to get scared by one if you happen across it in your yard. When black rat snakes feel threatened, they will coil up, hiss loudly, and even vibrate their tails against dry leaves to mimic rattlesnakes. If cornered or grabbed, these snakes will even strike. Fortunately, their bite is minor—about as serious as a scratch from a rose bush. More than anything, they just want to be left alone to hunt rats.
The Perfect Garden Complement
Although they are large and may look frightening, black rat snakes are actually beneficial to the areas where they live. As apex rodent hunters, these serpents can consume dozens of different types of rodents in a single year. This keeps rodent populations in check and, therefore, protects crops and livestock feed and reduces rodent-transmitted diseases. Believe it or not, seeing one slither through your garden is a good thing. They will take care of your rodent problems without any intervention from you.
