Learn What Rat Snakes Eat

Rat snakes are carnivores. They are not venomous. They are non-aggressive in nature. A black rat snake can reach up to 8 feet in length, but it’s still smaller as compared to other snakes. Their lifespan is about 10 to 15 years in the wild and around 30 years in captivity. They are found in Red, black, yellow, black and white, brown and grey in color. They belong to class reptilia and are also known as pilot snakes. They are constrictors like python and boas, due to which they suffocate their prey. They have excellent climbing skills; they climb up high on trees in search of birds and eggs. During winters, black rat snakes make dens and create shelter for themselves as well as other snakes. That’s why they are named pilot snakes.

Habitat

They usually live in farmlands, woodlands, fields, and some in suburban communities 

Animals, Insects

Rat snakes like to eat small rodents, fish, goldfish, gophers, mice, skunks, rats, frogs, squirrels, chipmunks, and voles. They also like to eat incubating birds and their young ones. In birds, rat snakes like to eat  hummingbird.

Rat snakes also like to eat bugs and insects like ants and centipedes. Rat snakes like to eat baby ducklings, ticks, toads, grasshoppers, cicadas, soft-bodied insects like crickets and cockroaches. Also, rat snakes can even eat fish in ponds like koi fish. Rat snakes will eat geckos. They feed on rabbits because rabbit meat is very nutritious. They do not purposely prey on cats but might feed on kittens when nothing else is available. Rat snakes also eat worms, spiders, slugs, and earthworms.

What do rat snakes eat in the wild

When rat snakes are in the wild, they will eat rats, kittens, koi, small rodents, lizards, moles, cats and turtle eggs.

What rat snakes don’t eat

Rat snakes don’t eat copperhead snakes, rattlesnakes, or other snakes. However, rat snakes might eat they some small snakes but avoid big and poisonous snakes. Also, rat snakes don’t eat dogs and most insects.