Thanks. (more)

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Rat Snake Forum ]

Posted by Frank T on March 07, 2002 at 07:24:10:

In Reply to: Re: What is a "blacksnake"? posted by James Van Dyke on March 06, 2002 at 22:55:43:

I am from Carroll County, northwest of Baltimore. From what you all have posted, it seems like I am probably seeing both although the really big monsters are probably rat snakes. I didn't realize both were common in the area. I seem the young I am seeing are definitly racers. I guess I will hve to catch a few and learn to id a little better. We pick up a lot of shedded skins on my property, is there something in the scale pattern that could help id? The real story in these parts is the tremendous increase in the number of copperheads and associated problems, several dog have been biten, in garages, etc.

: Hey Frank I live in VA and what you're describing sounds like you might be seeing both Northern Black Racers and Black Ratsnakes. They are both quite common in MD and VA and they can be hard to tell apart. The juvenile Black Rats are usually patterned like a grey and black cornsnake- I've never actually seen a juvie black racer so I couldn't help ya there. Adult Black Rats are very aggressive and very large. I once found a male/female pair within 10 feet of each other (breeding season) that were at least 5 feet long, and the male could have been 6 or more. They both hissed like mad, struck, and, perhaps because of their proximity and the time of year, refused to back away from my approach. I have never seen such behavior in a snake before or since.

: The determining factors between the two species are in body shape, head shape, and size. Black Rats average 4-6 feet and have been known to reach more than 8 feet long. Black Racers average 3-4 feet long but can get up to 6. Racers are round-bodied while Rat's bodies have the cross-section of a loaf of bread.

: Black Racer's heads are usually smaller and have little or no neck. Black Rat's heads are longer, somewhat triangular, and have a very obvious neck.

: What part of MD are you from? Hope this helps.

Follow Ups:

Re: Thanks. (more) James Van Dyke 03/07/02 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: I am from Carroll County, northwest of Baltimore. From what you all have posted, it seems like I am probably seeing both although the really big monsters are probably rat snakes. I didn't realize both were common in the area. I seem the young I am seeing are definitly racers. I guess I will hve to catch a few and learn to id a little better. We pick up a lot of shedded skins on my property, is there something in the scale pattern that could help id? The real story in these parts is the tremendous increase in the number of copperheads and associated problems, several dog have been biten, in garages, etc. : : Hey Frank I live in VA and what you're describing sounds like you might be seeing both Northern Black Racers and Black Ratsnakes. They are both quite common in MD and VA and they can be hard to tell apart. The juvenile Black Rats are usually patterned like a grey and black cornsnake- I've never actually seen a juvie black racer so I couldn't help ya there. Adult Black Rats are very aggressive and very large. I once found a male/female pair within 10 feet of each other (breeding season) that were at least 5 feet long, and the male could have been 6 or more. They both hissed like mad, struck, and, perhaps because of their proximity and the time of year, refused to back away from my approach. I have never seen such behavior in a snake before or since. : : The determining factors between the two species are in body shape, head shape, and size. Black Rats average 4-6 feet and have been known to reach more than 8 feet long. Black Racers average 3-4 feet long but can get up to 6. Racers are round-bodied while Rat's bodies have the cross-section of a loaf of bread. : : Black Racer's heads are usually smaller and have little or no neck. Black Rat's heads are longer, somewhat triangular, and have a very obvious neck. : : What part of MD are you from? Hope this helps.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Rat Snake Forum ]