Limbless Climber, Snakes in the Trees

Tiny serpent, fierce display. Juvenile black rat snake.

Rat snakes today are often encountered around structures - barns, abandoned houses, even occupied homes in rural settings. Of North Carolina's 30-40 native snakes, the black rat snake is probably one of the least-maligned; perhaps because the adults' dark, generally patternless form is not immediately associated with its venomous kin in the mind of the casual observer. 

This juvenile has not yet transitioned to its darker garb, but at it has inherited its forebears' arboreal habit.

Long before there were hen houses and rodent-filled haylofts to climb, the black rat snake was pursuing its prey (or escaping its pursuers) in the treetops.

As this youngster demonstrates, no limbs are no impediment for this reptilian, giving the term "scale a tree" a different twist. 

What goes up, must come down; an adult black rat snake demonstrates a typical limbless descent.

Whether flitting through the foliage or gliding gracefully along the ground, the black rat snake must daily make the most of dramatic habitat changes throughout its historic range if it is to reach the age of sexual maturity and do its part to perpetuate the species.

Royal Family - Kingsnakes of North Carolina

Kingsnakes, rulers of Colubridae and victors in Viperidae as well.

Family Colubridae "Snake"- encompassing the vast majority of the world's snakes, almost entirely non-venomous.

Genus Lampropeltis - "Shiny Shield"- referencing the glossy dorsal scales of these beautiful animals.

Merciless in their pursuit of sustenance, these "kings" dispatch their fellow colubrids (and the occasional venomous viper) at a rate surpassing King Henry VIII's disposal of wives. Lizards also litter the larder, and insects will do just fine too!

















The Scarlet Letter; S is for Scarlet Kingsnake

Master Mimic; "Red touch yellow, kill a fellow; red touch black, friend of Jack." 

The scarlet kingsnake is a classic example of Batesian mimicry, in which a vulnerable prey animal evolves to closely resemble a venomous or toxic relative, in this case the eastern coral snake; prompting parents and scoutmasters throughout the southeast to teach their children the mnemonic "Friend of Jack" rhyme.

Mistaken Identity

Non-venomous corn snake and venomous copperhead. Superficially similar snakes; perhaps an advantage for the corn snake in some settings, but a significant disadvantage in encounters involving humans. Fear, fueled by a lack of knowledge and awareness, often leads to the indiscriminate killing of reptilian wildlife.

Corn snake from the Sandhills area, exhibiting the vivid orange and black markings often associated with corn snakes from the coastal plain. Corn snakes are powerful constrictors which still play a significant role in controlling rodent populations throughout their range.

Copperhead from the same area with its distinctive "hour-glass" banding (wide on each side and narrowing significantly in the middle of the back). This juvenile still retains its green tail which is used as a "caudal lure" to attract small lizards and other prey.

Snakes are a vital part of a healthy ecosystem, consuming large quantities of insects and rodents, and providing food for larger predators such as owls and bobcats. Venomous snakes in close proximity to human homes can be a problem, but with common sense, education, and awareness, encounters with snakes need not have a negative outcome for either party.