I figure it was resting after eating, too. When they’re scared or hungry, they’ll move. This is from my (limited) experience with them.
RE: my NOT-a-Pet Rat snake (LOL)
I got a really good look at the snake 3 times - on the ladder (not coiled), riding the rake (draped over a tine) and on the ground (again, not coiled). I saw no evidence of a recent feed ... lumps/bumps, etc. I am fairly certain it was looking for some place high because it was interested in the bird nest I could see .... it likely would have tried climbing the wall at some point. I think it’s an old nest - haven’t seen a mama bird flying in/out, no babies evident.
I have seen Rat snakes around here several times ... edge of front porch, crawling across the back yard, & mom discovered a dead one that accidentally got locked in a plastic bin that it must have crawled into.
“Black eastern rat snakes are non-venomous constrictors that feed mainly on rodents such as mice and rats. They also eat frogs, lizards, birds, and eggs. They have been known to climb trees searching for nests full of eggs. They will even eat other snakes, including venomous species.”
Note: I did not know they ate other snakes, including venomous. We are in Timber Rattler territory, although most are probably in the mountains (we’re half a mile from the base of a range). After 16 years of AT trail work in the mountains, I have encountered numerous Timbers - I don’t see ‘our’ Rat snakes taking on the Timbers I have seen. One Timber was a ‘black phase’ and as thick around as my forearm - huge snake and impressive.
My motto is “live and let live”. If the snake isn’t in a chicken coop (I don’t have one - my SIL did & had snake issues I was called to ‘resolve’) and isn’t venomous, I let them go on their way. If we do end up with a Timber on the place, I would likely dispatch it because of mom. I have warned her not to reach in (leaf/rock piles, under bushes, etc.) with her hands when doing yard work - use a hoe or rake. We also have black widows so bare hands are not a good idea.