yellow ratsnake found in maine

[captainmorgan]

This was in a local Mass newspaper article. I guess in Eastport Maine biologists identified a 5 ft yellow ratsnake in a state park. The think it was either a pet or it came up on a boat from the south. They're still looking into it, but kind of cool if yellow ratsnakes found there way to the north. They're also fun on herping trips!!!

[JuliusSqueezer]

Not too cool really. I doubt it would have survived it's first winter there in the wild. Someone needs spanked.

[BWSmith]

It must have driven up int he Mustang with one of Brett's Grey Ratsnakes

[JuliusSqueezer]

I knew that was coming lol...YES Ratsnakes hitch rides! Anytime farm equipment or hay or feed ets is moved from one place to another, there is a good chance a ratsnake may be relocating as well. This isn't anything new. Pygmy rattlesnakes are showing up all over the place in gardening centers in potted plants. Ask any Guam resident about their Brown Treesnake problem

[herpkingdom]

this story was actually brought up by another member a few posts down. Unfortunately no photos were taken of the snake so positive identification is just about impossible.

[JuliusSqueezer]

Positive ID was made. It's just that positive ID verification by us can't be made I doubt they care what we think though lol. I just hope the little feller made it somewhere safe and is being properly cared for.

[John_White]

There's a park in my neck of the woods that is a dumping ground for unwanted animals. The park is a fairly large county park that has a nice lake and a couple of creeks. Over the years the park as produced a few spectacled caimans, a yellow rat snake, several Burmese pythons, many species of non-native turtle, a cottonmouth...etc. I herp this park from time to time and I know that one of these days I'm going to grab what I think is a "racer" by the tail and the snake is going to turn around in full hood and spit at me.

	Cottonmouth Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Also known as a Water Moccasin.

[JuliusSqueezer]

Maybe we need to all be a bit more known to the general public that we will take in rescues? I used to put up flyers at Vet offices and various places and got a lot that way. I'm a slacker now though and really need to get out and be more proactive again. With all of us here willing to take in animals, there are always plenty of homes to place them.