What is a Chicken Snake?
Chicken snakes are a type of non-venomous snake found in the United States. They are also known as rat snakes, corn snakes, or black rat snakes. These snakes are typically found in wooded areas and can reach lengths of up to six feet. They have a striking appearance with their black and white stripes running down their backs. The underside of the snake is usually yellow or orange in color.
Chicken snakes are not aggressive and will usually try to escape if they feel threatened. They feed on small rodents, birds, lizards, and eggs. They are beneficial to humans as they help keep rodent populations under control.
Where Can You Find Chicken Snakes?
Chicken snakes can be found throughout the United States from Florida to New England and westward into Texas and Oklahoma. They prefer wooded areas with plenty of cover such as logs, rocks, or brush piles. They can also be found near farms or other areas where there is an abundance of rodents for them to feed on.
How Do You Identify a Chicken Snake?
Chicken snakes can be identified by their distinctive black and white stripes running down their backs. The underside of the snake is usually yellow or orange in color. The head is usually darker than the body with two dark lines running from the eyes to the jawline. The scales on the back are smooth while those on the underside are keeled (ridged).
The size of chicken snakes can vary greatly depending on age and location but they typically range from three to six feet in length when fully grown. Juveniles may be smaller than adults but will still have the same distinctive markings as adults do.
Are Chicken Snakes Dangerous?
Chicken snakes are non-venomous so they pose no threat to humans or pets if encountered in the wild. However, they may bite if provoked so it’s best to leave them alone if you come across one in your yard or garden. If you must handle one for any reason, use caution and wear thick gloves to protect yourself from bites or scratches from their sharp claws.
Conclusion
Chicken snakes have a striking appearance with their black and white stripes running down their backs and yellow/orange undersides that make them easy to identify in the wild. These non-venomous creatures help keep rodent populations under control which makes them beneficial for humans living near wooded areas where they live naturally. Although they may bite if provoked, chicken snakes pose no real threat to humans or pets so it’s best just to leave them alone if you come across one in your yard or garden!