Iowa had been part of the land acquired from France through the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, the Iowa Territory was created in July of 1838 and admitted into the Union six years later. During the Civil War, Iowa was a staunch Union supporter; proportionately, it contributed more men than any other state, north or south.
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Pantherophis obsoletus - The western rat snake, also referred to as the black snake, is found throughout the mid-section of North America. It is a non-venomous snake skilled enough at swimming and tree climbing to extend its diet to include birds, chipmunks, frogs, lizards, mice, rats, voles, and bird eggs. The rat snake is a constrictor and will wraps itself around the intended victim to render it unconscious before swallowing it. The length of the rat snake ranges from 105 to 180 centimeters, making it the largest snake in North America.
