Ronnie Asher of Crayne caught two black rat snakes mating at his brother-in-law's farm on Chapel Hill Road. The mature snakes, which are not poisonous, were entangled in their breeding ritual on the property of Keith Young. Asher just happened to be nearby with a camera when he snapped several pictures.
These snakes may have forgotten the date, as mating typically occurs in April and May. The females lay eggs in early fall in tree cavities, mulch, saw dust piles and rotting logs.
The photos were provided to The Crittenden Press by Betty June Young of Dycusburg. She is Keith's mother and the mother-in-law of Asher.
The black rat snake can grow to almost eight feet in length. It is a shiny black snake with a white chin and its belly is white checkered. It comes out of hibernation during April, and is active during the day during spring and early summer. They are great climbers and are often seen in trees.
Their diet consists mainly of birds, eggs, rodents and squirrels.
