Black Rat Snake, 35 feet up a tree

Description:

Black Rat Snake is said to be Virginia's longest snake. They are non-venomous. This one was about 35 feet up this tree - under a nesting cavity of the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker (RCW). RCWs choose live pines, and poke holes in the trees, to leak sap to deter black rat snakes and other predators.

Notes:

2019 Dec 8: Photo to be used in U.S. Fish & Wildlife educational film produced by Hook, Line & Sinker Productions. https://www.hooklinesinkerpro.com