Eastern Ratsnake (Juvenile) - Pantherophis alleghaniensis

This is the largest snake species found in Connecticut. It is nonvenomous.

Juveniles are light gray with brown/black blotches, a large head, and a black checkerboard belly. They turn black with age and can reach 68 inches long (1.72 m).

Habitat: Spotted resting on a rock amidst vegetation at a neighborhood garden center.

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I suppose you were looking at the lichen initially :) Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Haha! No, I wasn't actually! I was just standing there, debating which plants to get to attract moths after Gary recommended floral lures to me. I looked over, and there the snake was. Lucky spotting for me :). My husband actually took this shot with his phone because my phone was dead, haha. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Tell your husband to take the photo because you don't dare to. It doesn't have to be true, men like that. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Lol, if only. I had to prompt him to get closer because he didn't want to get too close to it ;P. But, he was super brave a couple years ago when he jumped in a river to save a cicada from drowning when he saw how concerned I was about the poor bugger...His bravery comes in two forms here: there was a huge (yet harmless) water snake a few feet from him AND this was the Hudson River in NY, which is polluted and makes your skin tingle if you stay in too long. Posted 6 years ago