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May 31, 2021
Ben here with the Monday edition of #BenInNature presented by our friends at Carter Bank & Trust!
There are few phrases I dislike more than "the only good snake is a dead snake." Just look at this eastern rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)! Look at its big eyes and adorable little tongue! How could anyone hate this guy?
The eastern rat snake can be found throughout much of the eastern portion of the U.S., and it's the snake you're most likely to encounter here in Virginia. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats, and they're also strong climbers, meaning you might even spot them up in a tree. The juveniles tend to eat insects and small reptiles and amphibians, while the adults eat rodents, birds, and their eggs.
That's one of the best reasons to leave rat snakes alone when you find them. These snakes are great at keeping rats and mice in check, and I'd much rather have a couple of snakes outside my house than a bunch of mice inside it.
Rat snakes are completely nonvenomous. If they feel threatened, they'll usually freeze, and they may release an awful-smelling musk to get their point across. If you provoke a rat snake, it may coil up, shake its tail, and even snap at you, but the bite is nothing to worry about (I once got bitten by one while removing it from a basement, and while I wouldn't necessarily recommend the experience, it's nothing to worry about).
Consider the eastern rat snake your own personal exterminator. It works for free, and in exchange, all you have to do is leave it alone. It seems like a pretty good deal to me!
ABOUT #BenInNature
Social distancing can be difficult, but it presents a great opportunity to become reacquainted with nature. In this series of posts, Administrator of Science Ben Williams ventures outdoors to record a snapshot of the unique sights that can be found in the natural world. New updates are posted Monday - Friday, with previous posts highlighted on the weekends. This series of posts is made possible thanks to the support of VMNH Corporate Partner Carter Bank & Trust (www.cbtcares.com).
NATURE PHOTO IDENTIFICATIONS
If you discover something in nature that you would like help identifying, be sure to message us right here on Facebook with a picture (please include location and date of picture) and we'll have our experts help you identify it!
