Muskoka Wildlife Centre





  
American Toad
Viber
Badger
Dozer
Sandy
Bald Eagle
Thorondor
Hal
Barn Owl
Barney (a.k.a. Moonface)
Silo
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Millie
Black Bear
Kootenay
Black Rat Snake
Kingston
Licorice
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Oliver
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Peter
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Olive
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Snorkel
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Mike
Five-Lined Skink
Liz
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Pixie
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Garter Snake (Common)
Sir Hiss
Great Horned Owl
Dr. Hoo (not on display)
Green Frog
Kermit
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Twiggy
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Clover
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Atlas
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Bob
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Raven
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Nevermore
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Fenn
Renard
Red-tailed Hawk
Will Scarlet (not on display)
Saw-whet Owl
Luna
Snapping Turtle
Sam
Junior (not on display)
Spotted Salamander
Happy
Stinkpot Turtle
Lily (not on display)
Striped Skunk
Flower
Turkey Vulture
Barfalomew (not on display)
Wolf
Montana
Akayla
Wolverine
Hyde
Gulo
Wood Turtle
Oakley


Licorice the Black Rat Snake



Share Licorice the Black Rat Snake's Story
I'm sponsored! Special thanks to Robin and her birthday party guests
Born: Unknown
Sex: Female
  Licorice was sent to us from a Breeding Centre in Florida. She was captive born and therfore is unreleasable. She will remain here at the centre being a part of our outreach team.

Black Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta obseleta)

Average Size: Average Weight:
106 - 200 cm (3.5 - 8.5 ft).
Average Lifespan: Range:
Up to 25 years old. Kingston area and a small pocket near Niagara Falls

Dining and Dwelling

Life and Death

Black rat snakes are semi-constrictors feeding on mostly rodents and birds, although frogs and other snakes are also eaten.  They prefer wooded areas, although they may be found in fields and meadows.

These snakes will produce from 10-16 eggs, which are deposited in sheltered locations such as under rocks or fallen logs. The eggs are laid in early summer and hatch in late summer. The exact length of the incubation period depends on temperature.  The main threat to the life of a Black Rat Snake is Man. With the large size of this harmless snake, people generally assume it is dangerous and end up killing the snake. The other major cause of death is by cars, as this snake lays out across the warm pavement to digest its food, it looks like an old bike tire due to its colouring and is usually run over.

That's Amazing

  • The largest snake native to Ontario.
  • Though non-venomous, The black rat snake mimics the rattle snake by shaking its tail very quickly in leaves or grass in order to frighten away potential predators.
  • They are considered to be threatened, being found only near Kingston, and a small area around Niagara Falls.