Names: 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.

Juveniles: In contrast to adults, juveniles exhibit a strong pattern of black to dark-brown blotches and peppered black-and-white to gray body. The brown and white “belly” forms a checkerboard pattern. There is a distinct brown stripe that starts in front of the eye and runs to the mouth. These are connected by a brown band across the head. The center of the tail has an irregular dark stripe along each side. 

Habitats:  Eastern Ratsnakes are the most commonly seen snakes in Virginia. They are terrestrial and arboreal. They occur in many types of habitats, including agricultural areas, most types of hardwood forests, isolated urban woodlots, and forested wetlands. These snakes are often found in barns and old buildings where their primary prey, small rodents, occur in abundance.