Black Rat Snake

Not poisonous at all. Last one I found let me pick him right up and was checking us out as much as we him for a moment. Then he dropped the stank, and we quickly put him down. Disgusting. haha :)

this one was a pretty good size about 4ft in length. I wanted to get a little closer but wasn't sure if it was poisonous

Black Ratsnakes can be quite common in some areas of Connecticut. I know of a few dens. This species needs mature forests which are disappearing in the southwestern portion of the state.

Nice spotting for that area, i've hiked extensively in new england and only come upon a few.

Thanks Mike for the ID

Eastern (Black) Ratsnake (Pantherophis allegheniensis)