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Western rat snake

Elaphe obsolete

Photo by Maria dB
Published on Project Noah
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35.9132, -79.0558

Field Notes

Description:

These are the most commonly encountered large snakes in most of North Carolina. They have highly variable color patterns, ranging from solid black in the mountains and Piedmont to yellowish-green with dark stripes in the Coastal Plain. They are very strong constrictors and can climb trees.

Habitat:

Seen at Mason Farm Biological Reserve while helping with maintenance there. The snake was not happy with me photographing it and it lunged at me after a few shots but it stayed in the tree.

Reference Links:

Rat snake, Rat Snake - North Carolina

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
Maria dB
Thanks, Rosa Maria. It was a large snake and did lunge at me after getting tired of me taking photos with my little point and shoot but it was just warning me to "get out of my face!"
Rosa Maria
That's insane! It looks huge. Be safe and thanks for sharing.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Animals of North Carolina
Mission
Snakes of the United States - Center for Snake Conservation
Mission
Mason Farm Biological Reserve
Mission
Snakes of North Carolina
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project

Tags

Photographed
PublishedApril 23, 2014

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