Common and widespread in North Carolina, Rat Snake is a large, stout, highly variable snake. Black Rat Snake is frequently confused with the Black Racer, which is slenderer, quicker, and differs in facial features (yes, I often mix the two up).

See also these entertaining photos of an acrobatic Black Rat Snake at a Bird Feeder.

Carroll Co., VA 5/25/03.

This one was hunting mice in the basement of my mountain house.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/07.

Same snake.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/07.