![]() Juveniles are more blotchy and have white or gray bodies. Bellies are sometimes checkered in gray, brown, white or yellow. Spots might be white, yellow, red or orange. When their skin is stretched, such as after a meal, a spotted pattern may be visible. It has a white chin and many individuals have white bellies. Here are descriptions of the appearances of some common rat snake species.Įastern rat snake/black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta or Pantherophis alleghaniensis)Īccording to the Virginia Herpetological Society (opens in new tab), this is a shiny, primarily black snake. Some species of rat snakes reach lengths of 10 feet (3 meters), though 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) long is more common, according to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Their pupils are round, as are those of most nonvenomous snakes. They have keeled scales - scales with a ridge running down the center - slender bodies and wedge-shaped heads. They can be black, red, brown, yellow, gray or black-and-white colored. They can have blotches, stripes, a combination of both or be single-colored. ![]() What do rat snakes look like?Īccording to Reptiles Magazine (opens in new tab), rat snakes can vary widely in appearance. However, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (opens in new tab) (ICZN), recognized as the arbiter for the correct use of the scientific names of animals, does not recognize Pantherophis nor does the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (opens in new tab) (CITES). For example, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (opens in new tab) (GBIF), a collaborative network of researchers, accepts Pantherophis, as does the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (opens in new tab) (SSAR), an international non-profit organization that supports herpetological research and education. Some authorities adopted the classification.
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