Big Girl

This Eastern Rat Snake, aka Yellow Rat Snake, was hunting on our patio. Rat Snakes are non poisonous and generally rather docile serpents. This beauty was not bothered in the least as I went inside to get my camera. She was probably 40"/101.6 cm or so, the largest I've seen. Rat snakes are excellent climbers and won't hesitate to enter a pond to hunt for a meal. So watch out froggies! They're mostly active at night during the summer, are diurnal in spring/fall and less active in the winter. As per my habit of 'counting coup', I manage to stroke her tail as she went on her way. Do take a look at the *extras for more photos.