Read About Black Snakes

Black Snakes are the original snakes of North America. One of them, the black rat snake has the distinction of being the longest snake in the US, at eight feet. Everything you need to know about them is contained in this article.

Black Snakes -- Facts

1. Description:

   As the name suggests, all snakes that are black in color are black snakes. There are black snakes spread all around the world; their species are too numerous to mention. But the general term 'black snake' is used to describe three prominent species of snakes that have jet black skins -- the black racer, the coluber constrictor and the black rat snake.

2. Varieties:

   Black snakes are present in several varieties. They are both venomous (like the cobras and kraits) and non venomous (like the rat snake and the racer). Some pythons are black and some limbless lizards are also black, which are often mistaken to be snakes.

3. History:

   Black snakes were among the earliest snakes to develop on the American continent. Their history is so ancient that much is not recorded about it and we can only conjecture.

4. Physical Traits:

   Of course, black snakes are black in color. Their coats are often shiny and have very tight fitting scales. They have pointed snouts. Some of them, like the black racers, have white markings on their throats and chins. The Australian red-bellied black snake is a dual colored snake.

5. Other Defining Characteristics:

   Black snakes have no defining characteristics, as this is just a difference of color and not an anatomical or morphological trait.

6. Habitat:

   Most black snakes, like the coluber constrictor and black rat snake are arboreal in habitat.

Black Snakes -- Concerns

1. Benefits:

   Some black snakes scavenge on dead animals in the fields and in the wild jungles. Some black snakes will kill live rodents and pests and this also helps to maintain the ecological balance.

2. Liabilities:

   It is very difficult to get a black snake into captivity. They are non venomous generally, but even then their bites can be quite painful.

3. Health Issues:

   Black snakes suffer from parasitic problems from time to time, just like other snakes.

4. Specific Care Needs:

   You must build very strong cages for these snakes. Provide them with live mice or other rodents as their daily food. Place a few branches in their cage as they like to rest on trees.

5. Reaction to Children and other Pets:

   It is best to keep children and other pets away from the black snakes as much as possible. Black snakes are non venomous, but they are constrictors. They will wrap around their prey and squeeze them to death.

6. Special Household Needs:

   If you have the courage to keep a black snake in captivity in your home, then you should keep the cage very well secured so that the black snake does not escape out of its confinement and create a havoc in the home.

Black Snakes -- How to Choose

1. What to Look for:

   Black snakes are prone to injuries on their skins. Do not buy any black snake that has a visibly injured skin. Most wounds won't heal; but will expand as time passes on and can even become lethal.

2. Supplies:

   A huge cage, water supply, lights and daily feed are the minimum supplies you will need to keep a black snake.

3. Expense:

   The price of the black snake will depend on the kind of the snake you are buying. But even then, the price won't be much, because these are very common snakes in North America.