The harmless rat snake is one of the most common and beneficial snakes in the United States. It gets its name from the fact that it is frequently found on farms and in barns feeding on rats and mice. If you remove or kill a rat snake from these areas, the rodent population can increase quickly, posing a threat to human health and to food and grain supplies.
Range
Southeastern United States
Habitat
Woodlands, rural farms and near human habitations
Diet
Rodents and lizards
