Black Rat Snake: Beneficial Garden Resident

A large snake in a birdhouse is likely a black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta), a harmless and beneficial predator of rodents. While they may raid bird nests, they play a valuable role in the ecosystem.

Coexistence Tips

• Protect birdhouses by wrapping a wide band of sheet metal around the mounting post next spring.
• Remember: all non-venomous snakes in Georgia are protected by law.
• For identification help, visit the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory's herpetology website.