In this video I wrangle with a wild four foot long Eastern Ratsnake (Black Rat Snake as I review five things everyone should know about this frequently encountered species. 1. Black snakes are not always black! 2. Black snakes imitate venomous species like rattle snakes. (you will see a black snake making his head triangular shaped and rattling his tail!) 3. Black snakes are Climbers! The black snake will demonstrate for viewers how easily and can climb straight up a large diameter vertical tree. 4. Black snakes eat rodents, birds and bird eggs. 5. Black snakes are most commonly encountered snake
(in state of Virginia.) Biology and live science terms introduced in this video include, scientific naming, genus and species, batesian mimicry and ectotherms. This is a great resource for homeschoolers and meets many local, state and national science teaching standards.