Eastern Rat Snake, Scotophis alleghaniensis
Gene and I went to Chiques Rock today for a short walk in the woods. I was busy photographing some bright orange colored polypore fungus when I heard him exclaim from a short distance up the trail. He stood still and pointed to the ground at this
an eastern rat snake crossing the trail…in the third week of November. Just goes to show how warm it’s been staying around here. These animals are found in meadows, old fields, farmlands and wooded areas under logs and debris. They’re quite common in Pennsylvania and are the biggest snake found in this area. Adults can reach lengths of 6 to 8 feet. These snakes are constrictors and have no venom, but they are able to inflict a painful bite, as I found out as a kid. I wasn’t about to allow this individual to escape without a picture, so as it fled
I grabbed it and brought it back out onto the trail doing my best to avoid getting shit upon or bitten. These snakes emit a foul-smelling musky poop as a defense and it is one of the worst smells ever. I wasn’t careful enough because as soon as I retracted my hand I was assaulted by that sickening smell. Ugh. It happens every time.
It was sufficiently irritated to strike this charming attack pose:
