NOTE: Education Animals are “behind-the-scenes” animals & only appear to the public during Educational events. This includes scheduled events or programs such as daily animal mingles, private onsite programs, and zoo reaches. For more information, please reach out to edureservations@lvzoo.org.
Physical Description
Eastern rat snakes are nonvenomous snakes that can grow to be 3-7 feet long. Their backs will have black scales while their bellies will have lighter colored scales often in a checkerboard pattern.
Predators
Some of their predators include hawks, great horned owls, and free-ranging domestic cats.
Lifespan
They have been known to live an average of 10-30 years.
Reproduction
Breeding occurs from May to June with egg-laying occurring in June or July. The female will lay 5-19 eggs which will hatch in 60-65 days.
Fun Facts
Conservation Messaging
In our Reptile and Amphibian (RAD) center you will find many different reptiles and amphibians including venomous and poisonous species of snakes and frogs. Many of these animals fall victim to habitat loss in the wild. Many of the species here are found in South American habitats which are subjected to deforestation, damming of rivers, water pollution, and poor agricultural and management practices.
