When threatened, the black rat snake will vibrate its tail on the ground to produce a buzzing sound.

Iowa Range
southwestern to northeastern Iowa

Habitat
wooded hillsides to flat farmland

Description
Black rat snakes are primarily shiny, black snakes. Spotted sufaces can be distinguished when the skin is stretched, as after a meal. The ventral surface is usually gray or brown on white with a checkered pattern, most oftern near the head. The scales are weakly keeled and the anal plate is divided.