Black Snake

Description:

Commonly known as the western rat snake, black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake, is a nonvenomous colubrid species found in North America. No subspecies are currently recognized. Adults can become quite large and are known to reach up to eight feet, being the largest snake found in Canada. The record length is 101 inches (2.6 m), making it (officially) the longest snake in North America. Unofficially, indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi) are known to exceed them, and one wild-caught pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), with a portion of its tail missing, measured 111 inches (2.8 m).[citation needed] Juveniles are strongly patterned with brown blotches on a gray background (like miniature fox snakes). Darkening occurs rapidly as they grow. Adults are glossy black above with white lips, chin, and throat. Sometimes traces of the "obsolete" juvenile pattern are still discernible in the skin between the scales, especially when stretched after a heavy meal.

Habitat:

It prefers heavily wooded areas and is known for having excellent climbing ability, including the ability to climb the trunk of large mature trees without the aid of branches. The black rat snake is a competent swimmer, but usually uses this ability only to travel to additional hunting territory. During winter, it hibernates in dens, often with copperheads and timber rattlesnakes. This association gave rise to the common name, pilot black snake, and the superstition that this nonvenomous species led the venomous ones to the den.

Notes:

Found crossing a hiking trail in Dupont Forest, NC. After crossing it then climbed into a small bush. Approx. 2 foot long.