Having found a skin behind our house when a child that measured 15 feet and when doubled over 8 inches, would be 16 around. I have always hoped that the skins stretch. Or at least that was what I told myself when I wanted to go outside.

When I find snake skins from my northern water snakes, I hang them up on the clothesline post, for the great crested flycatchers. They use it in their nests.

Snake skins, if the full skin, will be about the size of the snake that was in the skin.

Given the size and location of your skin in a tree, I'm almost sure it belonged to a big Black Rat Snake.

Thanks Wayne. I've seen a couple black snakes in my yard this summer but neither were that large. I leave them alone of course but I know one that big will startle me if I come across it. lol

That's interesting Catherine. I brought this one inside long enough for the kids to see then tossed it again. They're smelly.
Maifleur - If someone put that snake skin in your yard as a joke, it was a mean joke. It's a wonder you ever went outside again. If it was escaped or released pet, then I suspect it wouldn't last outside very long. It would be hard not to wonder though.

Wayne - Since you're in Missouri and know a lot about snakes, can you tell me how big our largest Garter Snakes get. I recently saw one that was as big around as a garden hose and maybe three feet long. I've seen quite a few in my yard but always quite a bit smaller. I was going to try to measure it but I chickened out.

Since we live in the country and the skin was wrapped around and through a dead tree I think the snake put it there. In that area in the 20's and 30's there were reports in the local papers that people had seen large snake tracks larger than the tires of the day. Just because you don't see something it does not mean it is not there. Of course in my mind it was even bigger.

Your garter snake sounds about right for a mature one. I am probably wrong but some snakes give birth to live young and I believe garter snakes are one does.