You’ve probably seen them slinking up a tree or slithering around your yard; gray rat snakes are everywhere in North Florida.

As the warmer months approach in Tallahassee, you’re likely to see an increase in the amount of these common, non-venomous reptiles in your yard.

While these reptiles can appear frightening, it’s important to remember: gray rat snakes are friends, not foes. 

Here in the panhandle, both juvenile and adult gray rate snakes look nearly identical in appearance with gray scales that have darker gray patches.

They usually live near swamps, wetlands, and forested areas.

Typically, gray rat snakes are shy and non-aggressive and will leave both people and animals alone unless disturbed.

They will bite, however, if threatened.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: “Snakes usually bite people only if they are molested; it’s their only means of self-defense.”

Other common names for this snake are oak snake, rat snake, chicken snake, eastern rat snake, and Everglades rat snake.

While gray rat snakes pose no real danger, it’s common for people to confuse gray rat snakes with water moccasins, but these two snakes are extremely different.

While water moccasins have large, triangular-shaped heads with thin, slit-like eyes, gray rate snakes have turtle-shaped heads and larger, round pupils.

While water moccasins carry powerful venom in their fangs, rat snakes are non-venomous.

While water moccasins are semi-aquatic, gray rat snakes are excellent swimmers.

While water moccasins are typically two to three feet in length, gray rat snakes generally reach up to seven feet long. 

Gray rat snakes provide wonderful benefits to the ecosystems in this area.

They control the mice and rat population as these rodents serve as much of their diet.

And typically, gray rat snakes try to avoid pet and human interaction as much as possible.

Because of this, if you encounter a snake in your yard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission simply says to, “Just stand back and observe it. Snakes don’t purposefully position themselves to frighten people.”