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Black Rat Snake or Pilot Snake
(Elaphe obsoleta)

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Family: Colubridae

Size: 40-72 in.

Status: Protected Wild Animal

Description: This long and muscular snake is Wisconsin?s only arboreal (tree-dwelling) snake. Their background color is dark brown to blackish and may be flecked with white, yellow or orange between the scales. Red and yellow flecks mark the dark gray or brown underside. The heads of adults are solid black or brown on top with white chins and throats. Juvenile black rat snakes are heavily patterned and look much like young fox snakes, although they tend to have more reddish blotches and are more slender than young fox snakes. Black rat snakes live in bluff prairies, oak woodlands and pastures, and are occasionally seen climbing or resting in the rafters of barns and other out buildings. Rodents and birds make up their diet.