Western Rat Snake (also known as Black Rat Snake or Texas Rat Snake)
Pantherophis obsoletus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: P. obsoletus
Distributed throughout the central United States, from the Mississippi River west to the Rocky Mountains and from southern Canada south to the Gulf of Mexico / Texas.
Look up Western Rat Snake (also known as Black Rat Snake or Texas Rat Snake) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: P. obsoletus
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN). Threats include habitat fragmentation and persecution by humans due to mistaken identity as venomous species.
Physical Description
Large, powerful body with weakly keeled scales. This specimen shows the 'Texas Rat Snake' color phase: a greyish-tan background with dark brown or black blotches. The head is wider than the neck, and pupils are round.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen in the photo appears to be an adult, approximately 4-5 feet long. Species average is 3.5 to 6 feet, with a maximum recorded length of about 8.4 feet.
Habitat
Highly adaptable; found in hardwood forests, prairies, rocky canyons, and frequently near human settlements/farmsteads. They are semi-arboreal and range from sea level to over 600 meters in elevation.
Diet & Feeding
Generalist carnivores using constriction. Primarily consume rodents, birds, and eggs. They are excellent climbers, often raiding bird nests in trees or buildings.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay clutches of 10-25 eggs in mid-summer which hatch in late summer or autumn. No parental care is provided post-hatching.
Look-alikes
Often confused with the North American Racer (Coluber constrictor), which has smooth scales, or various species of Bullsnakes and Copperheads due to the blotched pattern.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Threats include habitat fragmentation and persecution by humans due to mistaken identity as venomous species.
Cultural Significance
Highly valued by farmers for ecological pest control, as a single adult can consume dozens of rodents per year. They play a vital role in controlling Lyme disease by reducing tick-bearing rodent populations.
Notable Features
Renowned for their incredible climbing ability; they are frequently found in odd places like gutters, rafters, and high tree branches. They are one of the most common 'backyard' snakes in their range.