Sex : Male

Length : 5 Ft (Avg. 4 – 8 Feet – males are longer)

Weight : 3 lb. (Avg. 2 – 5 lb. – males are bigger)

Lifespan : Captive Born 2000, Age 4 years (Longevity 20+ years)

Breeding: Egg Layer, up to 20 young

Range: Midwest United States from Canada to Louisiana and eastward

Habitat : Black Rat Snakes are adaptable to most any environment within their range wherever food is plentiful.

Food and Hunting : Semi-arboreal, they will actively climb in search of small mammals and birds. They commonly raid bird houses and are often found in barn lofts. Extremely effective hunters they consume large quantities of harmful rodents. Captives readily feed on frozen thawed mice and rats appropriate to their age and size.

Conservation : Black Rat Snakes are locally very abundant where there is proper habitat and food. Very few are collected for the pet trade as they are widely available as captive bred. Their biggest threat is the continued destruction of habitat as cities grow. Aberrant color patterns such as albino and hybrids are selectively bred. Native to Georgia they cannot be kept in captivity except by special permit.

Captive Care : Their larger size, even temperament and minimal heat requirements make them impressive captives for experienced keepers. Most specimens feed well on frozen thawed mice and rats.