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Black Rat Snake, juvenile

Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta

Description:

Sweet little snake. About two feet long (rough estimate). Very dark on top, black and brown with blotches and distinct light brown spots down middle of its back. Belly white, solid near head but a checkerboard pattern with grey/black and white on lower body. A juvenile; it will lose those pretty blotches on its back and be solid black as an adult. Thin, with head distinct from neck/body. Black tongue. Very timid and not aggressive at all. Tried to hide from me, and when I picked it up it did nothing but try to get away or hold still (no hissing, biting, rattling or anything). From its movement, it looked like it might be fast, but it was morning, and the snake was probably still sluggish from the nighttime cold. Moves side-to-side and seems unable to move up and down much (see how stiffly it holds itself in photo 2?).

Habitat:

My husband found it in our garage, hiding behind the recyclables against a wall. Suburban neighborhood in north Georgia, surrounded by more rural area. Lots of trees and plants in the yard, and a creek nearby in the woods.

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Mandy Hollman
Spotted by
Mandy Hollman

Georgia, USA

Spotted on Apr 15, 2012
Submitted on Apr 16, 2012

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