I was walking toward a new section of weeds to quell with my string trimmer when I spotted this North American Ratsnake gliding across the path. They were three to four feet long, with a kinked body and a white chin. Neither of us was in a hurry. I took a few photos with my phone, then went inside to get my camera. The snake had moved about three feet in about three minutes. I got the photos and went inside to leave them in peace.
The experts on iNaturalist identified this snake as an Eastern/Gray Ratsnake Complex. Ratsnakes in here in the Piedmont come from a mixed lineage that is hotly contested in nomenclature circles.
Should you fear ratsnakes?
Well, they are faunivores: animals that eat other animals. But they aren’t going to eat you. They are going after mice, rats, chipmunks, birds, and bird eggs. They can climb trees and I’ve seen one climb a brick wall.
If you startle a ratsnake, as I did, they will kink their bodies and rattle their tails against the pinecones or whatever to convince you they are a venomous rattlesnake (they are not). If you pick one up, they might poop on you or bite you. This will be unpleasant for both of you but not dangerous. Don’t fear them, but do leave them alone.
