Home»Virginia Black Rat Snake

11 July 2018
Eastern Rat Snake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
** Harmless **
Common Name:
Eastern Ratsnake
Scientific Name:
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Etymology:

Genus:
Pantherophis
Species:
alleghaniensis refers to its habitat in the Allegheny Mountains.
Vernacular Names:
Virginia black ratsnake, Alleghany black snake, black chicken snake, black Coluber, black pilot snake, black racer, blue racer, chicken snake, mountain black snake, mountain pilot snake, pilot, racer, rat snake, rusty black snake, scaly black snake
Average Length:
42 - 72 in. (106.7-183 cm)
Virginia Record Length:
79.8 in. (202.8 cm) *Note: The eastern ratsnake is the only 6+ foot snake found in Virginia
Record length:
101 in. (256.5 cm)