Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am from Virginia out in the sticks...All this rain we have had has done a number on the snakes. Yesterday it was sunny out so I decided to go for a walk around my 75 acre farm and see what animals were out...I caught 3 huge black rats, one yearling black rat and saw about 7 water snakes...I was lookin for some copperheads or eastern kings but couldnt find any. I dont know if it is all the rain but I have never seen this many black rats on my property before. Its GREAT! Just thought I would share this with all fellow herpers. I am interested in what everyone else has found this year and where you are from.

Keep Herpin'

Eric

Well, wish I had your problems with the black rats. I'm in eastern NC and only have the "greenish" intergrades in my area. So far this year I have found 5 southern copperheads, 5 greenish rats, 2 chain kings, 3 eastern garters(no reds! errr), 1 melanistic eastern hog(a first), 1 juvi. redbellied watersnake, 1 banded watersnake, 1 canebrake rattlesnake, 2 ringnecks, about a half dozen redbellied snakes, 2 mud turtles, 4 snapping turtles, 1 melanistic slider, and a bunch of box turtles. This list only includes live catches. I've seen alot more than this DOR(my snapper total alone is nearly 30 DOR!). Meet me somewhere, I'll trade ya a king for a black rat! Thanks for sharing too.

Yes, I think a lot of rain would have something to do with it. A lot of people don't realize how much ratsnakes respond to humidity and moisture. They aren't a dry-loving snake. They are also semi-arboreal, most of them. If the ground is very wet, they could be using branches and trees to bask and keep from getting too moist. Black rats will even find holes in trees to live in sometimes.

Conrad et al,
I run across BIG black rats, copperheads, garters (Reds, too), and all kinds of stuff on construction sites. Usually even before the Mexicans can hack them to pieces, so let me know! Here's a gravid female I've caught and released at least 10 times. She's a solid six feet, has some scars and damge, though, and bites with less provocation than most balcksnakes I run across. I got some belly shots, too- turns solid black after the neck area. They aren't something I care to breed, but I love a nice Eastern King, si I'll catch her if I can get a good trade. Not a crummy wannabe "Goini etc" intergrade, though!

ill hook you up for a nice black rat like that. as long as they are plentiful where you obtain.

Ran across another and flipped it over to get a snapshot of the belly. Came home and saw that two folks were interested! I have a pretty good spot for blackies, though, I can catch some. Honestly can't say they are plentiful... I know when I'm on jobs I usually run across the same snakes over and over. Scars, pattern, etc.

I've got two beauties right now. Both have been in my hand about 2 weeks, have clean white bands, and are eating like champs. Taking rodents no prob. I don't have them sexed though as I prefer not to probe this time of the year in case anything is gravid, I'd hate to hurt the snake. E-mail me, so we can work something out if you'd like. I can bring them both up so you can look them over, or we could meet half way...just let me know.

Trading snakes...LOL!