It’s the Largest Snake in Kentucky and Can Be Found Anywhere in the State

With all the recent rain, I've had plenty of opportunities to observe snakes slithering across roads throughout Kentucky. Road trips mean backroads, and it's not unusual to see such a sight under any circumstances on smaller, less-traveled highways.

Snakes in Kentucky

But over the past month, the serpents have been on the move across much busier two-lane U.S. highways and even interstate highways. There aren't many success stories, as you can imagine, but that's the proof that Kentucky's snakes have been in heavy travel mode of late.

My question for you is this. Have you seen an unusually long snake crossing the road or, maybe, just hanging out in or around your yard? While that last consideration may not be comforting, if it's the largest snake species Kentucky has to offer, you're not really in bad shape.

The Largest Snake in Kentucky

Then again, if you see one that's more than six feet long, you may not wait around long enough to find out if you're in good shape. But you are, because it's likely Pantherophis spiloides, or the non-venomous gray rat snake.

Read More: KY Zoo Owner Back at Work After 16th Bite From Venomous Snake

This farmer pulled one out of his chicken coop. As long as it is, it isn't the longest one they found.

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The University of Kentucky's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources would be pleased that this man relocated the rat snake rather than kill it. Yes, they can do a number on chicken eggs, but they also seek and destroy (eat) unwanted rodents. Well, "rat" is in their name.

Yes, it might be difficult to avoid sounding the alarm if you see a six-foot-long snake or longer, but there's an excellent chance it's a helpful but harmless gray rat snake.