It is the largest snake in Canada. This powerful constrictor preys primarily on frogs, lizards, rodents, birds, bats, eggs, small rabbit young, and even insects in its juvenile stage.

It can live in a wide range of ecosystems such as farmlands, swamps, grasslands, and mountainous areas where temperatures can be lower.

Ratsnakes are great allies of man, they control rodent populations like no one else, and they are completely harmless.