Baird's Rat Snake
Pantherophis bairdi
A handsomely patterned orange-and-gray rat snake of the arid Trans-Pecos region, with faint striping along its length.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 1.0-1.5 m (3.3-5 ft)
- Range
- Trans-Pecos Texas and adjacent northern Mexico
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Overview
Baird's rat snake inhabits the rugged, arid canyons and mountains of the Trans-Pecos region of Texas and northern Mexico. It is named after 19th-century naturalist Spencer Baird and is notable for its warm orange to russet coloration with faint dusky striping.
This constrictor thrives in rocky terrain, sheltering in crevices and canyon walls while hunting rodents and other small vertebrates.
How to identify it
- Orange, tan, or russet ground color
- Four faint dark stripes running lengthwise, more visible toward the tail
- Smooth to weakly keeled scales
- Loaf-shaped body cross-section
- Round pupils
Habitat & range
Found in rocky canyons, desert mountains, and riparian corridors of the Trans-Pecos region of far west Texas and adjoining Coahuila, Mexico.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Active by day, especially in cooler months, becoming more nocturnal in summer heat. Hunts rodents, birds, and lizards by constriction. Lays eggs in rock crevices or loose soil in early summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baird's rat snake venomous?
No, it is a nonvenomous constrictor.
Where is it typically found?
In rocky canyons and mountainous terrain of the Trans-Pecos region of Texas and northern Mexico.
What does its coloring look like?
It has a warm orange to russet base color with faint longitudinal striping.
Baird's Rat Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Baird's Rat Snake.
