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As dusk approached on Friday the 13th this past September, residents
of all ages gathered in a Ferrisburgh barn to learn about our
cold-blooded, yet sun loving and mysterious neighbors. Middlebury College Research Herpetologist, Jim
Andrews, was at the Rokeby Museum to speak about the Eastern Black
Ratsnake and its vulnerability within Vermont. LCA and Rokeby
invited the public to learn more about this long time resident of
Vermont, its habitat needs and how to manage private lands for a
diversity of wildlife.
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Eastern
Black Ratsnake: A Species of Special Concern
By Jim Andrews
Most Vermonters would be surprised to
know that one of the largest snakes in North America can be found in
Addison County. True, most of Vermont’s eleven snake species are
less than three feet long and it is rare when we see a snake over
two feet in length. Yet, the Eastern Ratsnake can grow up to eight
feet long and has been seen at lengths of nearly six feet even in
Vermont. Unfortunately this docile snake is sometimes killed out of
fear.
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Many people have learned to fear
snakes far out of proportion to their actual threat. The Timber
Rattlesnake is Vermont’s only venomous species and we are fortunate
that it is also extremely docile. Bites occur only when it is
accidentally stepped on, trapped or handled, and 40% of bites are
dry bites in which no venom is injected. Nonetheless, it goes
without saying that if a snake has a rattle, don’t handle it.
Because the teeth on the largest of these snakes are only 1-2 mm
long, we can do more damage to ourselves while picking blackberries
or pruning roses. |
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The adult Ratsnake has a white chin
and throat but otherwise is solid black with light skin often
showing between the scales, and a dark checkerboard pattern on its
belly. In Addison County, the only other large black snake is the
adult Northern Watersnake, which is always found near water and, at
close inspection, has a pattern of dark reddish-brown markings and
brightly-colored red half-crescents on its belly.
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Like its name implies, the Ratsnake feeds primarily on small mammals
such as rats, voles, and mice, but it is also an excellent climber
and will take eggs and small birds as well. It is fond of old
abandoned buildings where there may be plenty of food and shelter,
while its preferred natural habitat is warm low-elevation hardwoods
with rocky ledges and ridges. |
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Ratsnakes have a life span of over twenty years. They first lay eggs
at about 4 years of age when they are three feet in length.
Approximately 12 eggs are laid in sawdust or manure piles or inside
hollow logs. In late summer or early fall young light grey Ratsnakes
hatch out and are about 12 inches long. They have a dark line from
their eye to the angle of their jaws and another dark line in front
of and between their eyes.
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Vermont has two known, yet declining, populations of the Eastern
Black Ratsnake. While the larger population is found in the West
Haven-Fair Haven-Benson-Orwell area, there is a known population in
near the Monkton-Bristol border. This is the northernmost population
in New England and is at risk due to its limited size, road
mortality, habitat encroachment, and the occasional purposeful
attack by a human. As a result of these threats, the Ratsnake is
being evaluated for Vermont’s threatened species status.
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Snake Myths Reveal Social Values
Throughout history and around the world snakes have been animals
with mythical reputations symbolizing healing, wisdom,
transformation and clairvoyance. These qualities come together in
Native American legends that connect snakes with water, earth and
sky. |
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A Shoshone story tells of a long ago time during an extreme and
prolonged drought. The hot air quivered over the arid prairie, the
lakes and rivers dried up and the people were searching for shade
and asking for help. The animals were all moving away and the fish
had gone downstream. The intense heat was too much for all but a
small and scaly snake. |
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Snake appeared and offered to help by
using his magic powers. He told the people he would hold up the sky
and use his scales to scratch some rain and snow from the blue icy
meadows in the sky. |
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He told the people to throw him into
the sky as high they could. Hurled into the air, snake flew up to
the sky uncoiling himself and grew longer and longer until at last
his head and his tail curled back toward the earth. His spine curved
high up above as he scraped the blue ice off the sky. |
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The snake’s body kept changing color,
from red to yellow, then green and purple. The ice in the sky melted
and once again the rain fell to earth. Everything came back to life.
Water filled the rivers, the animals returned to their native
grounds and the flowers bloomed as usual. |
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The people lifted their faces in joy
allowing the rain to wash away the dust and cleanse them. They
danced in honor of the snake which has ever since remained in the
sky curving his body and shining like a colored ribbon above earth
whenever there is rain on a sunny day. |
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What you can do:
Learn to identify these snakes and their young.
Spread the word that these snakes are harmless and need our help.
Do not capture or move these snakes.
While driving, avoid snakes seen in the road (cars are a big
source of mortality).
Chase snakes out of the road so others won’t hit them.
Avoid snakes while mowing fields, bailing hay, or cutting your
lawn.
Leave dead snags and hollow trees in your woods.
Report your sightings. Fill out a sighting form at www.middlebury.edu/herpatlas or call 443-5648
Discuss possible conservation options with Jim Andrews at 443-
5648 |
