Eastern "Black" Rat Snakes

(Pantherophis alleghaniensis)

Eastern rat snakes, formerly known as black rat snakes, are large non-venomous snakes between 3.5 and 7 feet long. Adults are shiny black dorsally, with a cream or white chin and throat. White areas of skin can appear between scales. The belly has an irregular black and white checkerboard pattern, becoming uniformly slate gray towards the tail.

Status: Endangered in Massachusetts, and, under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, it is illegal to kill, harass, or possess this snake.