Pennsylvania Animals: Snakes

Black Rat Snake

(Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta)

A rat snake is 2 feet to 6 feet long. They eat rats. A black rat snake looks like another snake, the black racer. It's scientific name is Elphae obsoleta obsoleta. They are wild. Rat snakes live in the ground. by Anthony

Northern Black Racer

(Coluber constrictor constrictor)

The black racer eats mammals, birds, insects, frogs, lizards and other snakes. It can grow to 3 to 5 feet in length. The black racer can be found in fields, grassland, open woods or wooded hills. by Jared

Northern Copperhead Snake

(Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)

One of the most poisonous snakes in the eastern part of the USA The thick copperhead body is about 3 feet long and covered with scales. The copperhead lives under rocks and in logs. The copperhead eats rats. The copperhead doesn't like to fight. by Eric

The copperhead is a poisonous pit viper. A pit between the eye and nostril is sensitive to heat and helps them find and strike at warm-blooded pray. Copperheads grow 30 to 50 inches long, are upland snakes with a coppery head. by Paul

PA Animals 96-97

PA Animals 95-96