Rat snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rat Snake |
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| An Aesculapian Snake, Zamenis longissimus | |
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Rat snakes are a group of medium to large snakes found mostly in the northern parts of the world. These snakes are important predators in their habitats. They mainly eat rodents like mice and rats, and also birds. Some types of rat snakes can grow very long, over 3 meters (10 feet)! This means they are at the top of many food chains.
Many kinds of rat snakes make great pets. For example, the corn snake is one of the most popular pet reptiles around the globe. While some rat snakes can be a bit shy or defensive, their bites are not dangerous to humans. For a long time, people thought rat snakes had no venom at all. But new studies show that some species do have tiny, harmless amounts of venom. When these snakes get scared, they might freeze in place. This can sometimes lead to them getting hurt by cars on roads.
Rat Snakes as Pets
Rat snakes are often kept as pets because they can be quite gentle and interesting to watch. The corn snake is a very popular choice for reptile lovers. It's known for its beautiful colors and patterns.
Why Corn Snakes are Popular
Corn snakes are a favorite pet for many reasons. They are usually easy to care for and don't grow too big. They also come in many different colors and patterns, which makes them very attractive. These snakes are generally calm and can be handled gently, making them good for people who are new to keeping snakes.
Images for kids
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Gray rat snake, Pantherophis spiloides
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Red-tailed green rat snake, Gonyosoma oxycephalum
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Mandarin rat snake, Euprepiophis mandarinus
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Black ratsnake, Pantherophis obsoletus: The blue eyes mean the snake is about to shed its skin.
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Yellow rat snake Pantherophis sp. from Florida
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