See the Massive 15-Foot Snake a North Carolina Man Found in His Backyard - A-Z Animals

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This North Carolina resident found something he wasn’t expecting in his backyard! As a relative newcomer to the area, Scott Jensen found the presence of this giant reptile near his property even more startling. He didn’t realize that their three-acre property in Gaston County was also the home of a giant rat snake. This snake was between 12 and 14 feet long. North Carolina has over 30 native snake species so it is not unusual to spot them especially as the weather gets warmer. However, just six of them are venomous so most of them will do you no harm at all. Having said that, snakes of this size are unusual and it’s understandable that people are frightened by them. However, wildlife experts advise that if you see a snake in the wild you should just leave it alone.

Where Are Rat Snakes Normally Found?

Pantherophis obsoletus are also called rat snakes but some herpetologists separate rat snakes into separate subspecies. The snake found throughout North Carolina is often known as the Eastern rat snake with the scientific name Pantherophis alleghaniensis. Rat snakes are a wide-ranging snake found throughout the central region of the US as far north as southern Minnesota and south along the Mississippi River. They are also found as far west as the southern extent of Nebraska and the eastern parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. They are the most common large snake encountered in most parts of North Carolina.

When it comes to habitat, the snakes can be found in a variety of environments. You can spot them on rocky hillsides and in canyons but they are also found in scrubland areas and shrub fields as well as on prairie farm lands. They can also be seen in deciduous forests and swamps as well as on sandy prairies. Humans often come across them in abandoned farm buildings, old oil fields, and caves. They have even been found in chimneys, attics, and basements. It’s not unusual for them to be over six feet in length but the individual in this clip was exceptionally large!

What Do Rat Snakes Normally Eat?

With a name like rat snake, it’s no surprise that these guys eat mice and rats! They kill their prey by constricting them and then swallow them whole. They are sometimes called chicken snakes because they also eat chickens and their eggs. Overall, over half of their diet is made up of mammals with the rest being made up of birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Whilst these snakes are not venomous, they will bite when they feel threatened. Given their size, that bite can be painful and you may need hospital attention for it. The best thing is to keep away from them and leave them in peace.