Helminths of the Eastern Rat Snake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis Holbrook (Squamata: Colubridae), from North Carolina, USA

Twenty-eight specimens of Pantherophis alleghaniensis Holbrook (eastern rat snake) from North Carolina were examined for gastrointestinal helminths. Thirteen species of helminths (3 trematodes, 2 cestodes, 7 nematodes, and 1 acanthocephalan) are reported, representing 8 new host records and 1 new geographic distribution record. Immature physalopterids were the most prevalent helminth (54%), followed by Strongyloides serpentis and Capillaria colubra, both of which had prevalence rates of 29%. Each trematode, cestode, and macracanthorhynchid cystacanth were prevalent in 4% of the snakes.