Unlike the previous black rat snake that was calm and approximately 4′ long, this little 3′ one was certainly agitated. Typically snakes do not act aggressive unless they feel threatened. If cornered, as this one was, they will shake their tail like a rattlesnake and open their mouths, ready to strike. Fortunately black rat snakes are not venomous.
Pennsylvania has three types of venomous snakes: timber rattler, copperhead, and massasauga. The massasauga is only found in a small pocket in northwestern, PA and is not common. The timber rattler and copper head both are found in the majority of the state but not common to Westmoreland County.
Tall Timber Wildlife Services mostly gets calls for black rat, garter, ringneck, and water snakes. Again, all critters caught by Tall Timber are relocated to a new, safe environment.