Black snake

[u/aNbguy2022]

South central pa

[u/ilikebugs77]

Central Ratsnake Pantherophis alleghaniensis !harmless.

[u/SEB-PHYLOBOT → u/ilikebugs77]

Central Ratsnakes Pantherophis alleghaniensis, formerly called Pantherophis spiloides, are large (record 256.5 cm) common harmless ratsnakes with a multitude of regional color patterns native to eastern and central North America between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River Embayment. Pantherophis ratsnakes are keeled-scaled generalists that eat a variety of prey. They do well in urban environments, and are particularly fond of rodents and birds in these habitats.

Central Ratsnakes P. alleghaniensis are currently recognized as distinct from Eastern Ratsnakes P. quadrivittatus, as well as Western Ratsnakes P. obsoletus and Baird's Ratsnake P. bairdi. Parts of this complex were once generically labeled "black ratsnakes". Use the "!blackrat" command without the space for more on these changes.

Ratsnakes can be easily distinguished from racers Coluber by the presence of keeled scales. Racers have smooth scales.

Range Map | Relevant/Recent Phylogeography

This specific epithet was once used for what are now known as Eastern Ratsnakes Pantherophis quadrivittatus.

Junior Synonyms and Common Names: Grey Ratsnake (in part), Black Ratsnake (in part), Greenish Ratsnake, black snake, oak snake, chicken snake, rattlesnake pilot.

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Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, many non-venomous snakes bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Here's where it get slightly complicated - some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce and use venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes Diadophis are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; severe envenomation can occur if some species are allowed to chew on a human for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes Thamnophis ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also considered harmless. Check out this book on the subject. Even large species like Reticulated Pythons Malayopython reticulatus rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans so are usually categorized as harmless.

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[u/SEB-PHYLOBOT]

Hello! It looks like you're looking for help identifying a snake! We are happy to assist; if you provided a clear photo and a rough geographic location we will be right with you. Meanwhile, we wanted to let you know about the curated space for this, /r/whatsthissnake. While most people who participate there are also active here, submitting to /r/whatsthissnake filters out the noise and will get you a quicker ID with fewer joke comments and guesses.

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I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now

[u/Tughill87]

I hope it didn’t musk you!

[u/aNbguy2022 → u/Tughill87]

No. But has happened to me a few times. I carry rags and water with me for road rescues.

[u/Tughill87 → u/aNbguy2022]

It was definitely not prepared for it when it happened to me (this was about 30 years ago!). I’d been on a live-fire FTX with my ARNG unit when I was asked to remove it (bc I was known as “the snake guy”). I hadn’t showered in about 5 days - so that + the musk left a powerful impression of everyone I met that day. 😆

[u/aNbguy2022 → u/Tughill87]

I can only imagine. In the summer they tend to musk you more cause they are already warmed up and feisty.