Crow’s Nest Snakes

By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager.

This beautiful ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) was sheltering under our rain barrel at the visitor center. Yes, that’s 3/4″ gravel, so that is a tiny snake–about the diameter of a pencil and not much longer.

While I was cutting vines in the woods I saw this black rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) chillin’ in the multiflora rose. I have to think a snake would have to be careful around sharp thorns—how much protection can those scales offer?

And here are two places that black rat snakes have recently left outgrown skins: on the edge of the log cabin and on our new tree swing…