This approximately 5 foot Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) was seen today by ...

May 27, 2020

This approximately 5 foot Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) was seen today by Associate Curator of Invertebrate Zoology Dr. Kal Ivanov in Price, North Carolina only a couple of miles south of the Virginia border (see photo of yardstick for a comparison of size). This beautiful colubrid is one of few 6+ foot snake species to occur in the Commonwealth. According to the Virginia Herpetological Society's website (https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/snakes/eastern-ratsnake/blackrat_snake.php), the largest specimen known from the state measured 79.8 inches. This harmless snake is an excellent climber and one of Virginia's most commonly seen snakes.

Thank you Bonnie and Lynn for your thoughtful comments.