In much of the eastern United States, it’s not uncommon to spot a snake slithering through the leaves, crossing a trail, or hiding near your shed. But knowing whether that snake is venomous or ...

The lesson: Identifying snakes isn’t always straightforward. “The hardest part of our black snakes is that neither snake is completely black when it’s born.

Black Rat snakes are the most common snake you may see in your yards at home. It gets to be over 6 to 7 feet long. You’ll notice it’s almost solid black with white under the chin.

Often, what we’re seeing in our yards is a brown snake, a black rat snake or a black racer snake -- all non-venomous. Here’s how to tell them all apart.

Griffin said Copperhead snakes do not like extreme heat, so you’ll most likely catch them at night in the summer. Related: Black Snakes vs Copperheads: What You Need to Know ...

Black rat snakes are significantly longer than copperheads, often reaching 4 to 6 feet in length. Some even reach lengths of 7 feet, making them one of the longest snakes in North America.

The grown dekay snake, though it is small, has a pattern that can look similar to a copperhead. The lesson: Identifying snakes isn’t always straightforward.

Black rat snakes are significantly longer than copperheads, often reaching 4 to 6 feet in length. Some even reach lengths of 7 feet, making them one of the longest snakes in North America.