Black Rat Snakes (mating)

Updated - scientific name (Pantherophis obsoletus), and I added an additional photo.

Do you think Missouri is a southern state? If so, then I suggest you add your spotting to the "Southern Romance" mission. http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/1141...

super Spotting!

Great spot Neil! What a cool find!

Thanks for the favorites on this one! I've been involved with snake field work for several years, plus time spent spotting snakes for Noah. To come across two impressive snakes like this mating in a tree trunk is a very unique and rare event for even herp guys like me. I was extremely lucky!!!

I wasn't really into the details, only enthralled to see Black Rats Snakes in another dimension other than what obtains on Nat Geo Wild's 'World's Deadliests'

Thanks dotun55! I was just having a discussion with Janson on another post that referenced this photo. If you look at the dorsal scales, there is a ridge that splits each scale in half, called a keel. Black rat snakes in Missouri are frequently confused with black racers. Black racers have smooth scales without the ridge.

Those are great shots all the same. The camera in question is apparently nothing less than a 10MP. The video would be awesome, so we get a to hear their sound and see their movement as well.
That was a deadly close-up!

Thanks guys! For a herp guy like me, this was an amazing find. The camera I had with me at the time wasn't that great. If I get another similar spotting this year, I'll be able to capture it better - perhaps with video. :)

Great spotting. Kudos!

great spotting,uauuu! cach in the act,perfect timing,congrats Neil