According to Kraus, although a positive identification couldn t be made from the skin alone, it appears to be that of a black rat snake. Kraus estimated that the snake could be about four feet in length. Black rat snakes are native to eastern North America and feed on small mammals, birds and bird eggs, and will readily climb trees to raid bird nests. The Hyatt Regency personnel have been very helpful and are to be commended for their quick response. According to Telfer, although the source of the snake skin found is unknown, it was likely kept as a pet and was either released or accidentally escaped.
Any snake released into the wild can have devastating effects on native animals.
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