Rat Snakes and Corn Snakes | Herps of Texas

Bogertophis subocularis

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Bogertophis subocularis

Common Name. Trans-Pecos Ratsnake

General information. Trans-Pecos Ratsnakes are non-venomous, killing their prey (small mammals, bats, birds and lizards) by constriction. Only in rare instances will they defend themselves from humans by biting. Their large blue-grey or steel colored eyes suggest nocturnal hunting habits. Trans-Pecos ratsnakes are usually seen at night along road cuts and crossing roads during the hot months of June, July and August in the rocky areas of the Chihuahuan desert. They retreat to limestone crevices and cracks during the day.

Protected status. The Trans-Pecos Ratsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Divided anal scale Dorsal scales are weakly keeled, in 31-35 rows at midbody

Coloration. Background color of light yellow, orange-yellow, or even light olive Up to 40 dark brown or black “H” shaped markings along their spine Sides of the “H’s” may join together along the back, giving an impression of lateral stripes, especially near the head and neck region Belly scales are free of pigment and are white to cream colored Scales under the tail are usually white or cream as well, though some specimens have faint stripes under the tail Head is uniformly colored with no dark pigmentation.

General distribution. In the United States, Bogertophis subocularis is confined to New Mexico and Texas. They are also found in Mexico, in the state of Chihuahua. Another subspecies, B. s. amplinotus, is found in Durango, Mexico, with intergrades between the two subspecies occuring in Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, and Chihuahua.

Texas distribution. Bogertophis subocularis is a Chihuahuan desert endemic, being found exclusively in the limestone foothills and mountains of the Trans-Pecos.

Habitat. Trans-Pecos Ratsnakes are associated with rocky areas of the Chihuahuan Desert, though they have been recorded from the oak-juniper woodlands of Big Bend and in the Davis Mountains.

Reproduction. Mating occurs in the spring and early summer with 3-7 eggs being laid shortly thereafter. Hatchlings are 27-36 cm (11-14 in) and have paler markings than the adults.

Size. Trans-Pecos Ratsnakes usually reach lengths of 76-140 cm (30-55 in), but occasionally reach sizes exceeding 165 cm (65 in).

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Pantherophis bairdi

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pantherophis bairdi

Common Name. Baird’s Ratsnake

General information. This ratsnake is slow-moving and generally calm. Pantherophis bairdi will hiss and may strike if threatened. Feeds on small mammals (including bats), birds, and lizards.

Protected status. Baird’s Ratsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Scales are faintly keeled, with 27 scale rows at midbody Divided anal plate.

Coloration. Dorsal color is grey-brown with scales edged in yellow or orange-yellow on forebody and deep orange or salmon toward rear Adults with four dark longitudinal stripes. Ventral surface light grey to pale yellow but darkens to salmon under tail.

General distribution. In North America, Pantherophis bairdi is found only in portions of Texas and northern Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Pantherophis bairdi is found from south-central Texas to Big Bend.

Habitat. Pantherophis bairdi can be found across rocky, wooded areas of Cretaceous limestone canyons of the Edwards Plateau and upland and desert parts of the Trans-Pecos.

Reproduction. Breeding takes place in early summer and a clutch of up to 10 eggs is laid mid-summer. Incubation lasts about 12 weeks. Hatchlings are 12 inches long and marked with gray and brown blotches. These blotches slowly fade into the background coloration of the snakes as they become adults, gaining the longitudinal stripes as the blotches disappear

Size. Adult Pantherophis bairdi can grow to lengths of 62.5-137.5 cm (25-55 in).

Pantherophis emoryi

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pantherophis emoryi

Common Name. Great Plains Ratsnake

General information. Primarily nocturnal, Pantherophis emoryi can be seen crossing rural roads near water or moisture from April to September or October. They are non-venomous, but they may still act very fierce and will even bite when handled or molested, leaving small gashes in one’s flesh. Like many ratsnakes, P. emoryi will often vibrate its tail when disturbed. Their prey consists of various mammals, birds, frogs, toads, and lizards. They have been known to wait outside of bat roosts at dusk, waiting to snatch from midair an unsuspecting mammal as its flies out of its daytime retreat. These ratsnakes can be found during the day by flipping rocks or debris near areas of moisture, a precious commodity in much of central and west Texas. Also associated with human habitation, P. emoryi have been captured in the middle of El Paso, Texas, hiding under boards near several chicken coops.

Protected status. The Great Plains Ratsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. The differences seen in the numbers of ventral and caudal scales, which are sometimes used as distinguishing characters between the taxa, cannot be used reliably as variation within each taxa is large. Dorsal scales are smooth, in rows of either 27 or 29 at midbody Anal plate is divided.

Coloration. Two brown stripes that come together in a point on the top of its head between the eyes. The brown stripes, along with corresponding brown blotches along the middle of the back, are highly visible against the light tan background. In both subspecies, the belly is mostly white with black markings forming a feeble checkerboard pattern. Pigment on the underside of the tail forms two lines that run the length of the tail Number of dorsal blotches is the primary character used to separate the two subspecies in Texas: Pantherophis emoryi emoryi has more blotches (45 or more) than P. e. meahllmorum (44.5 or less).

General distribution. Pantherophis emoryi is found in many of the south central U.S. states including Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas; Pantherophis emoryi is also found in several adjacent northern Mexico states.

Texas distribution. Pantherophis emoryi is found throughout the western and southern halves of the state, from the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos, east through the Red River Valley and Edwards Plateau, and then south to the Texas Gulf Coast and southern Rio Grande Valley.

Habitat. Pantherophis emoryi can be found throughout much of Texas, generally associated with moist riparian zones or agricultural areas.

Reproduction. These snakes breed in the spring, with as many as 14 eggs being laid in the early summer months. Juveniles, measuring between 14-24 cm (5.5-9.5 in), hatch in August and September.

Size. Adult Pantherophis emoryi generally measure 76-106.5 cm (30-42 in), though some may reach 152.5 cm (60 in).

Pantherophis guttatus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pantherophis guttatus

Common Name. Cornsnake

General information. Pantherophis guttatus is secretive but active in warm months. Generally a calm species, but it may strike if threatened. This snake feeds on small mammals, birds, frogs, and lizards that are killed by constriction. This snake species is nocturnal and remains under the cover of logs and other debris during the day.

Protected status. The Cornsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Scales are faintly keeled along spine, with 27-29 scale rows at midbody Divided anal plate.

Coloration. Dorsal color varies from red to orange, but may tend to brown in upland areas. Dorsal blotches strongly outlined in black. Ventral markings include checkered pattern of black on white and striping on the underside of the tail. Two stripes meet on head to form a point between the eyes

General distribution. In North America, Pantherophis guttatus is found from New Jersey to Colorado and from Nebraska to central Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Pantherophis guttatus is found in the eastern one-fourth of the state.

Habitat. In Texas, Pantherophis guttatus is seen in wooded areas and along the edge of agricultural areas.

Reproduction. Pantherophis guttatus lays as many as 25 eggs in the late spring/early summer. Young emerge from the eggs in 8-10 weeks measuring 27.5-37.5 cm (11-15 in) in length.

Size. Adult Pantherophis guttatus reach total lengths of 60-105 cm (24-42 in).

Pantherophis obsoletus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pantherophis obsoletus

Common Name. Western Ratsnake

General information. Western Ratsnakes are the only rat snake in Texas that can be considered arboreal, as they seek food and refuge inside hollow limbs as well as on exposed branches. Being able to access many different habitats, these rat snakes feed on a variety of mammalian, avian, reptilian (mainly lizards) and amphibian (mainly frogs and toads) prey. Pantherophis obsoletus also can be found associated with human habitations, as snakes may take up residence in barns and associated farm structures. They kill their prey by constriction, immobilizing their prey in coils of their bodies before consuming them. Easily one of the most ill-tempered snakes found in Texas, it is non-venomous but will bite any aggressor voraciously.

Protected status. The Western Ratsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Divided anal plate Dorsal scales, in 27 rows at midbody, are keeled only along the spine.

Coloration. A series of around 30 brown blotches are positioned down the length of the back, on a gray or yellowish background Red flecks of pigment can be seen on the skin between the dorsal scales Ventral surface has an obscured white and black checkerboard pattern Underside of the tail is unmarked and the chin surface is often white.

General distribution. Pantherophis obsoletus has a wide distribution throughout much of the eastern and southern U.S.

Texas distribution. The single subspecies found in Texas, Pantherophis o. lindheimeri is found throughout much of Texas, ranging westward to the western edge of the Edwards Plateau, south to Corpus Christi, north to the Red River and eastward to the eastern state boundaries.

Habitat. Pantherophis obsoletus is a common snake that can be found in a variety of habitats, including rivers and streams, heavily wooded areas, and rocky canyons throughout in central and eastern Texas.

Reproduction. Western ratsnakes breed in the spring and early summer, with eggs deposited during the summer. Juveniles hatch out of their eggs from late August to October, measuring 27-40 cm (10.5-16 in) in length.

Size. Pantherophis obsoletus typically reach adult sizes of 106.5-183 cm (42-72 in), with the largest measuring 218.5 cm (86 in).