“If you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.” That’s great advice and a truism for almost all wildlife, something even a four-year-old can recognize. It’s especially true for Ohio’s longest reptile, the Grey Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus), previously called the Black Ratsnake. Recent advancements in genetic research have led to a deeper understanding of snake evolution and the differences between the 10 recognized species in North America, and a subsequent name change.
The young are light gray with a series of dark brown or black markings on their back. As they mature, they turn to solid black or dark gray with a lighter or yellowish belly. They are commonly found between 42 and 72 inches long, but can reach 8 feet. That will get anyone’s attention.
Read the complete column here: Average Guys Outdoors: Why Ohio’s Grey Ratsnakes are good neighbors
Side note: getting bit by any wildlife will stick in a 4-year-old or even younger child's mind for a long time. Just so you know.
Resources
If you’ve never seen one and want to, local nature centers are a great place to guarantee a sighting. The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery has one, CJ, that celebrated its 15th birthday last July.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources - https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/animals/reptiles-amphibians/gray-ratsnake
Boonshoft Museum - https://boonshoft.org/
Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Reptile Field Guide - https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-odnr/wildlife/documents-publications/backyard-wildlife-documents
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