Native to North America and cataloged under the family Colubridae, the Eastern Black Rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) is also called a pilot snake, chicken snake, yellow rat snake, and everglades rat snake. The body color is a mix of shiny and black on the dorsal with cream or white on the chin and throat or white and black checkerboard pattern on their underside. As a terrestrial and arboreal snake, it prefers wetlands, farmlands, abandoned urban woodlands, thickets, and even water bodies. The Eastern Black rat snake freezes or musk predators with a foul-smell, coiling, snap, or shake tail in defense mode.
The Eastern Black Rat Snake has an overall length between 3.5’-6’ (1.07-1.83 m), body width of roughly 1”-1.4” (2.5-3.5 cm), and weight from 1.1-4.9 lb (.5-2.2 kg). The typical lifespan of the Eastern Black Rat Snake is between 10-34 years.
Native to North America and cataloged under the family Colubridae, the Eastern Black Rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) is also called a pilot snake, chicken snake, yellow rat snake, and everglades rat snake. The body color is a mix of shiny and black on the dorsal with cream or white on the chin and throat or white and black checkerboard pattern on their underside. As a terrestrial and arboreal snake, it prefers wetlands, farmlands, abandoned urban woodlands, thickets, and even water bodies. The Eastern Black rat snake freezes or musk predators with a foul-smell, coiling, snap, or shake tail in defense mode.
The Eastern Black Rat Snake has an overall length between 3.5’-6’ (1.07-1.83 m), body width of roughly 1”-1.4” (2.5-3.5 cm), and weight from 1.1-4.9 lb (.5-2.2 kg). The typical lifespan of the Eastern Black Rat Snake is between 10-34 years.
Eastern Black Rat Snake
3D Model
Eastern Black Rat Snake
Common Questions
+
Snakes Questions
+
Snakes Questions
What do snakes eat?
Snakes are carnivores, and their diet varies on their species. Generally, snakes eat fish, worms, termites, birds, bats, and other types of snakes. Smaller snakes eat pupae, eggs, ants, and centipedes, while larger snakes can eat deer and pigs. All snakes swallow their food whole.
How do snakes move?
Snakes have 4 methods they use to move: the serpentine, concertina, sidewinding, and rectilinear method. In the serpentine method, the most common method, snakes push off bumpy surfaces and move in a wavy motion. The concertina method is effective for tight spaces, the sidewinding method helps them move on loose or slippery surfaces, and the rectilinear method is a straight movement.
How often do snakes shed?
Snakes tend to shed their skin 2 to 4 times a year. The amount varies depending on the age and species of the snake. Younger snakes shed their skin every 2 weeks while older snakes shed their skin 2 times a year.
What do snakes eat?
Snakes are carnivores, and their diet varies on their species. Generally, snakes eat fish, worms, termites, birds, bats, and other types of snakes. Smaller snakes eat pupae, eggs, ants, and centipedes, while larger snakes can eat deer and pigs. All snakes swallow their food whole.
How do snakes move?
Snakes have 4 methods they use to move: the serpentine, concertina, sidewinding, and rectilinear method. In the serpentine method, the most common method, snakes push off bumpy surfaces and move in a wavy motion. The concertina method is effective for tight spaces, the sidewinding method helps them move on loose or slippery surfaces, and the rectilinear method is a straight movement.
How often do snakes shed?
Snakes tend to shed their skin 2 to 4 times a year. The amount varies depending on the age and species of the snake. Younger snakes shed their skin every 2 weeks while older snakes shed their skin 2 times a year.
+
Squamates Questions
+
Squamates Questions
What characteristics make a Squamata?
The characteristics that make a Squamata unique include having a scaled skin that distinguishes them as well as having horn-like scales or shields. Other characteristics of squamates include having movable quadrate bones that make it possible for them to move their upper jaw in accordance with the neurocranium.
How are Squamata adapted to their environments?
Squamata are adapted to their environments by regulating their body temperature through their exterior environment, a process known as Ectothermy. When it is cold, they seek warmer environments and when it is hot they will seek out a cool environment. This allows them to go sometimes months without feeding.
How many families of Squamata are there?
There are 60 Squamata families that include more than 10,900 species of squamates. The squamata families include the Amphisbaenidae, Cadeidae, Dibamidae, Gekkonidae, and Sphaerodactylidae families. Other Squamata families include the Chamaeleonidae, Iguanidae, Anguidae, and Elapidae. The families are then categorized into the infraorders of Amphisbaenia, Gekkota, Iguania, Lacertoidea, Anguimorpha, Scincoidea, Alethinophidia, and Scolecophidia.
What characteristics make a Squamata?
The characteristics that make a Squamata unique include having a scaled skin that distinguishes them as well as having horn-like scales or shields. Other characteristics of squamates include having movable quadrate bones that make it possible for them to move their upper jaw in accordance with the neurocranium.
How are Squamata adapted to their environments?
Squamata are adapted to their environments by regulating their body temperature through their exterior environment, a process known as Ectothermy. When it is cold, they seek warmer environments and when it is hot they will seek out a cool environment. This allows them to go sometimes months without feeding.
How many families of Squamata are there?
There are 60 Squamata families that include more than 10,900 species of squamates. The squamata families include the Amphisbaenidae, Cadeidae, Dibamidae, Gekkonidae, and Sphaerodactylidae families. Other Squamata families include the Chamaeleonidae, Iguanidae, Anguidae, and Elapidae. The families are then categorized into the infraorders of Amphisbaenia, Gekkota, Iguania, Lacertoidea, Anguimorpha, Scincoidea, Alethinophidia, and Scolecophidia.
+
Reptiles Questions
+
Reptiles Questions
What do reptiles eat?
Reptiles are typically carnivores and feed on eating other animals like insects, mollusks, birds, frogs, mammals, fishes, or sometimes other reptiles. Some reptile species like land tortoises are vegetarians and eat leaves, grass, or cactus while the marine iguana dives into the sea to obtain seaweed for consumption.
Why do reptiles shed?
Reptiles shed their skin so that they can continue to grow. When they shed, reptiles grow a new layer of skin underneath their old skin and then shed their old one. When they shed their skin reptiles also get rid of any parasites during the process. The process of shedding is referred to as sloughing.
When did reptiles first appear?
Reptiles first appeared 315 million years ago during the time period known as the Late Carboniferous Period. This time period is also referred to as the Pennsylvanian and the Coal Age. The first reptile is considered to be the Hylonomus lyelli and is also the first animal known to have fully adapted to life on land.
What do reptiles eat?
Reptiles are typically carnivores and feed on eating other animals like insects, mollusks, birds, frogs, mammals, fishes, or sometimes other reptiles. Some reptile species like land tortoises are vegetarians and eat leaves, grass, or cactus while the marine iguana dives into the sea to obtain seaweed for consumption.
Why do reptiles shed?
Reptiles shed their skin so that they can continue to grow. When they shed, reptiles grow a new layer of skin underneath their old skin and then shed their old one. When they shed their skin reptiles also get rid of any parasites during the process. The process of shedding is referred to as sloughing.
When did reptiles first appear?
Reptiles first appeared 315 million years ago during the time period known as the Late Carboniferous Period. This time period is also referred to as the Pennsylvanian and the Coal Age. The first reptile is considered to be the Hylonomus lyelli and is also the first animal known to have fully adapted to life on land.
+
Forest Animals Questions
+
Forest Animals Questions
How do forest animals adapt to the changing seasons?
Forest animals adapt to the changing seasons to be able to withstand the cold winters and hot summer temperatures. Forest animals adapt by either hibernating or migrating to warmer weather during the cold. During the warm summer seasons, forest animals typically find an abundance of food and find ways to stay cool.
How do animals help trees?
Animals help trees because they breathe oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide while plants take in carbon dioxide and emit oxygen back into their surrounding air. Plants also serve as food and shelter for animals. Plants rely on animals for seed dispersal and pollination. Plants also help with filtering water that animals drink.
How do forest fires affect animals?
Forest fires affect animals as they alter the 3 sources that animals rely on the most – food, water, and shelter. Forest fires often cause animals to move away from the areas they are used to in search of a new shelter. Forest fires also cause deaths among animals through smoke inhalation or fire-caused injuries.
How do forest animals adapt to the changing seasons?
Forest animals adapt to the changing seasons to be able to withstand the cold winters and hot summer temperatures. Forest animals adapt by either hibernating or migrating to warmer weather during the cold. During the warm summer seasons, forest animals typically find an abundance of food and find ways to stay cool.
How do animals help trees?
Animals help trees because they breathe oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide while plants take in carbon dioxide and emit oxygen back into their surrounding air. Plants also serve as food and shelter for animals. Plants rely on animals for seed dispersal and pollination. Plants also help with filtering water that animals drink.
How do forest fires affect animals?
Forest fires affect animals as they alter the 3 sources that animals rely on the most – food, water, and shelter. Forest fires often cause animals to move away from the areas they are used to in search of a new shelter. Forest fires also cause deaths among animals through smoke inhalation or fire-caused injuries.
+
Swamp | Wetland Animals Questions
+
Swamp | Wetland Animals Questions
What are common characteristics of the animals that live in swamps?
The most common characteristics of the animals that live in swamps include having webbed feet to help them move quickly through water environments as well as camouflage to protect themselves. Camouflage also helps them hide within their surroundings and hunt. Animals that live in swamps also can remain in the water for an extended time.
What do swamp animals eat?
Swamp animals typically eat insects, spiders, earthworms, as well as slugs. Swamp animals usually eat the animals that fall below them in the food chain and are native to the swamp habitats. Swamp Animals often eat small fish, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Herbivore swamp animals eat algae, water lilies, cattails, and algae.
How do wetlands help endangered species?
Wetlands help endangered species because they improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat. Wetlands are also important as they maintain ecosystem productivity, reduce coastal storm damage, and provide recreational opportunities. Wetlands are significant in the preservation of endangered species by improving water supply and providing possibilities for education.
What are common characteristics of the animals that live in swamps?
The most common characteristics of the animals that live in swamps include having webbed feet to help them move quickly through water environments as well as camouflage to protect themselves. Camouflage also helps them hide within their surroundings and hunt. Animals that live in swamps also can remain in the water for an extended time.
What do swamp animals eat?
Swamp animals typically eat insects, spiders, earthworms, as well as slugs. Swamp animals usually eat the animals that fall below them in the food chain and are native to the swamp habitats. Swamp Animals often eat small fish, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Herbivore swamp animals eat algae, water lilies, cattails, and algae.
How do wetlands help endangered species?
Wetlands help endangered species because they improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat. Wetlands are also important as they maintain ecosystem productivity, reduce coastal storm damage, and provide recreational opportunities. Wetlands are significant in the preservation of endangered species by improving water supply and providing possibilities for education.
+
Desert Animals Questions
+
Desert Animals Questions
How do desert animals survive without water?
Desert animals can survive without water through various physical adaptations. For example, the camel has a hump in which fats are stored and small insects absorb moisture from their surroundings or water droplets from xerophyte plants. Some animals also rest in the colder areas below the desert soil.
Why do desert animals have fur?
Desert animals may have fur to help provide some traction from the ground. Fur also helps the skin of desert animals from the hot sand and ground surfaces. The fur also helps protect them from the sun rays while serving as insulation during cold nights.
What do animals eat in the desert?
Typically, animals in the desert eat plants, insects, and carcasses. It is often easier for smaller animals to find food in the desert and stay satisfied. This is due to the scarcity of food and water as well as extreme climate conditions. Animals usually find food by scavenging around the desert.
How do desert animals survive without water?
Desert animals can survive without water through various physical adaptations. For example, the camel has a hump in which fats are stored and small insects absorb moisture from their surroundings or water droplets from xerophyte plants. Some animals also rest in the colder areas below the desert soil.
Why do desert animals have fur?
Desert animals may have fur to help provide some traction from the ground. Fur also helps the skin of desert animals from the hot sand and ground surfaces. The fur also helps protect them from the sun rays while serving as insulation during cold nights.
What do animals eat in the desert?
Typically, animals in the desert eat plants, insects, and carcasses. It is often easier for smaller animals to find food in the desert and stay satisfied. This is due to the scarcity of food and water as well as extreme climate conditions. Animals usually find food by scavenging around the desert.
+
Rainforest Animals Questions
+
Rainforest Animals Questions
How do animals adapt in the rainforest?
Animals adapt in the rainforest through multiple physical adaptions. The adaptations include camouflage that allows them to blend into their surroundings and makes it difficult for predators to see them. Animals also adapt to move within the surroundings of the rainforest through strong limbs or webbed feet.
What do rainforest animals eat?
The food rainforest animals typically eat depends on their placement within the food supply chain and the ecosystem. The food sources within the rainforest are often limited. Big animals eat smaller animals such as armadillos, birds, and turtles while smaller animals may generally eat mushrooms, termites, or worms.
Which animals are the top of the food chain in the rainforest?
The animals at the top of the food chain in the rainforest include big cats such as leopards and jaguars who are known for both their agility and speed. Other animals at the top of the food chain include anacondas who are known for their ability to prey and crocodiles.
How do animals adapt in the rainforest?
Animals adapt in the rainforest through multiple physical adaptions. The adaptations include camouflage that allows them to blend into their surroundings and makes it difficult for predators to see them. Animals also adapt to move within the surroundings of the rainforest through strong limbs or webbed feet.
What do rainforest animals eat?
The food rainforest animals typically eat depends on their placement within the food supply chain and the ecosystem. The food sources within the rainforest are often limited. Big animals eat smaller animals such as armadillos, birds, and turtles while smaller animals may generally eat mushrooms, termites, or worms.
Which animals are the top of the food chain in the rainforest?
The animals at the top of the food chain in the rainforest include big cats such as leopards and jaguars who are known for both their agility and speed. Other animals at the top of the food chain include anacondas who are known for their ability to prey and crocodiles.
