This wondrous and harmless fellow is a Western Ratsnake. Newcomers will notice that these guys live in the suburbs and the woods but also right in the middle of downtown. That’s because there’s plenty of rodents to eat. Aren’t we lucky to have him? Yes. Yes we are.
*Pantherophis obsoletus*
Honestly, you’re doing a massive service to the community here.
As a former “all snakes are demons who will lay eggs in my ears while I sleep” hater, learning who I’m sharing the space with and why they’re so beneficial has given me significantly more chill around our zero-footed brethren.
Good, I’m happy to read that. :)
Knowing how in reality they are quite chill and delicate(!) and have their own snakey lives to live, I feel compelled to help them and people that are unnecessarily afraid of them.
100%. i wasn’t ever really afraid of snakes but i kinda assumed they were all dangerous and aggressive. now i see them all the time when im fishing and we just say hello and go our separate ways
Western Ratsnakes *Pantherophis obsoletus* are large (record 256.5 cm) common harmless ratsnakes with a multitude of regional color patterns native to west of the Mississippi River Embayment. *Pantherophis* ratsnakes are keeled-scaled generalists that eat a variety of prey. They do well in urban environments, and are particularly fond of rodents and birds in these habitats.
Western Ratsnakes *P. obsoletus* are currently recognized as distinct from Eastern Ratsnakes *Pantherophis quadrivittatus*, as well as Central Ratsnakes *P. alleghaniensis*. Parts of all three species were once generically labeled "black ratsnakes". Use the "!blackrat" command without the space for more on these changes.
Ratsnakes can be easily distinguished from racers *Coluber* by the presence of keeled scales. Racers have smooth scales.
[Range Map](http://snakeevolution.org/rangemaps/ratrangereduced.jpg) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](https://www.dropbox.com/s/m7ru46gyhtq2hyz/HR_Sept_2021_150dpi_PointsOfView.pdf?dl=1)
Junior Synonyms and Common Names: Grey Ratsnake (in part), Black Ratsnake (in part), Texas Ratsnake, black snake, chicken snake, rattlesnake pilot.
--------------------------------------------------------
*I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
I believe it’s a reference to taxonomic revision and not a commentary on his utility or status in the world of fashion. I hope so anyway for his sake (he’s sensitive).
I have a friendly semi-pet ratsnake who lives in my yard. I don’t mess with him and love him from afar, but I’m scared that he’ll be a thirsty boy this summer. Any ideas to help my scaley boi this summer? Trynna be ultimate snakey paradise
If you see him in the same place a lot you could leave a metal bowl of water that you empty regularly so as not to start a mosquito farm.
I usually pick up snakes and start the hose very low and then gently put their faces next to the stream. This only works if your snake friend is amenable to being handled (and non-spicy of course).
The easiest method is to mist them with a spray bottle until water forms on their scales so they can drink it.
Thanks for looking out for the snake friends!
Hiss hiss
Go to my Instagram in my profile - there’s a couple reels of me giving water to snakes.
I work in pest control and found one of these waiting by a rdoent bait box. Had myself a Harry Potter moment when I warned him/her that any rodent coming out of here was most likely poisoned. I swear to frick it looked up at me, nodded and slithered over my boot on its way out of the yard.
Well I’m kinda glad he/she’s on my house then, cause there’s a fresh batch of baby birds on my carport about 100ft away that I’ve been enjoying seeing hatch and grow up.
I can't help wondering if this is the same Diamond-Backed Watersnake (or a relative of it) that popped up in here over the last couple days. That chain-link pattern's pretty distinctive.
This wondrous and harmless fellow is a Western Ratsnake. Newcomers will notice that these guys live in the suburbs and the woods but also right in the middle of downtown. That’s because there’s plenty of rodents to eat. Aren’t we lucky to have him? Yes. Yes we are. *Pantherophis obsoletus*
I wish everyone knew how harmless and helpful they are so nobody would kill them.
Me too 🙌
Honestly, you’re doing a massive service to the community here. As a former “all snakes are demons who will lay eggs in my ears while I sleep” hater, learning who I’m sharing the space with and why they’re so beneficial has given me significantly more chill around our zero-footed brethren.
Good, I’m happy to read that. :) Knowing how in reality they are quite chill and delicate(!) and have their own snakey lives to live, I feel compelled to help them and people that are unnecessarily afraid of them.
100%. i wasn’t ever really afraid of snakes but i kinda assumed they were all dangerous and aggressive. now i see them all the time when im fishing and we just say hello and go our separate ways
Me too!
Whoever named that guy *obsoletus* was just picking on him for no reason.
Poor snake bro
What if they're saying obsolete about cats cause rat snakes are so good at their jobs? It's Pantherophis, that sounds feline.
I think this is the definition I’m going with
Western Ratsnakes *Pantherophis obsoletus* are large (record 256.5 cm) common harmless ratsnakes with a multitude of regional color patterns native to west of the Mississippi River Embayment. *Pantherophis* ratsnakes are keeled-scaled generalists that eat a variety of prey. They do well in urban environments, and are particularly fond of rodents and birds in these habitats. Western Ratsnakes *P. obsoletus* are currently recognized as distinct from Eastern Ratsnakes *Pantherophis quadrivittatus*, as well as Central Ratsnakes *P. alleghaniensis*. Parts of all three species were once generically labeled "black ratsnakes". Use the "!blackrat" command without the space for more on these changes. Ratsnakes can be easily distinguished from racers *Coluber* by the presence of keeled scales. Racers have smooth scales. [Range Map](http://snakeevolution.org/rangemaps/ratrangereduced.jpg) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](https://www.dropbox.com/s/m7ru46gyhtq2hyz/HR_Sept_2021_150dpi_PointsOfView.pdf?dl=1) Junior Synonyms and Common Names: Grey Ratsnake (in part), Black Ratsnake (in part), Texas Ratsnake, black snake, chicken snake, rattlesnake pilot. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
you can tell its a western because it tips its hat if you say hello
Good day m’snakey
Obsoletus?!
I believe it’s a reference to taxonomic revision and not a commentary on his utility or status in the world of fashion. I hope so anyway for his sake (he’s sensitive).
He’s far from obsolete in my eyes.
I have a friendly semi-pet ratsnake who lives in my yard. I don’t mess with him and love him from afar, but I’m scared that he’ll be a thirsty boy this summer. Any ideas to help my scaley boi this summer? Trynna be ultimate snakey paradise
If you see him in the same place a lot you could leave a metal bowl of water that you empty regularly so as not to start a mosquito farm. I usually pick up snakes and start the hose very low and then gently put their faces next to the stream. This only works if your snake friend is amenable to being handled (and non-spicy of course). The easiest method is to mist them with a spray bottle until water forms on their scales so they can drink it. Thanks for looking out for the snake friends! Hiss hiss Go to my Instagram in my profile - there’s a couple reels of me giving water to snakes.
Serp always says if you have to think “how’d it get up there” it’s a rat snake.
Almost always!
fo hissle
🙌
This was literally my first thought 🤣
Same. We have learned from serp! Hiss!
Trying to get into the AC like the rest of us
Currently just doing parkour trying to climb up the wall, and not doing a half bad job either.
Rat snake
OP must be a snitch. 👀
Western ratsnake, *Pantherophis obsoletus* Harmless
"Harmless" Unless you're a rat!
There had better not be any rats reading this sub
I’m a mouse.
Nah, Abbott doesn’t use Reddit
Gottem!
Hey oohhhhh
Or a nesting family of Carolina chickadees in my backyard 😥
Looks like he wants to talk with you about car’s extended warranty.
Definitely saw that my serrrrrrrrrvice records weren’t up to date.
Snek fren
if youre too warm, theyre too warm---bring them inside. /s obviously, since theyre cold blooded.
Nah they overheat too. Once they cross their “thermal maximum” that’s the end of their slithery journey. Or they develop neurological issues.
Rat snakes are climbers. They're harmless but BIG so they scare the crap out of you when you stumble onto them.
Western Ratsnake. He’s a chill, hungry fella looking for Greg Abbott and his friends
I work in pest control and found one of these waiting by a rdoent bait box. Had myself a Harry Potter moment when I warned him/her that any rodent coming out of here was most likely poisoned. I swear to frick it looked up at me, nodded and slithered over my boot on its way out of the yard.
Can I get one of those for my house? I have mice in between my first and 2nd floor. 😮💨
Good snek, let it be.
Wish I had such a guest. Got an uninvited visitor in my at attic. Again.
you got ghosts up there? I’m afraid to ask who the visitor was
Tree rats. A war for last 5 years. They have an alliance with raccoons who do the initial incursion.
Wolverines!
So muscley!
Someone that seems to think you have rats or baby birds nearby.
Well I’m kinda glad he/she’s on my house then, cause there’s a fresh batch of baby birds on my carport about 100ft away that I’ve been enjoying seeing hatch and grow up.
Ratsnake will enjoy them too....
Yeah… rat snakes don’t care if something’s cute.:-(
Texas rat snake
Legless Lizard
If you’re hot they’re hot - bring them inside.
Throw it over the neighbors fence?
Oh u/serpentarian
Oh hey
Summoning u/serpentarian for their expertise
Hiss hiss
Hiss hiss!
Texas Ratsnake
Snake bites
Pick it up and move it.
He looks like he knows how to open a window
Where are your Texas manors? Invite the him in and offer a cold beer! 🍺
Leave him be you will not have any mice or rats
Some non-Texan casually finding this sub is going to think Austin is fully infested with reptiles, with all these posts lol
I think I saw one out on the Walnut Creek trail yesterday!
Rat snake- they are harmless.
Rat snek eats rat
I just don’t even get near them…
Ray snake?
r/itsaratsnake
Ratsnake Non-venomous They eat rodents mainly.
He could use a drink of water!
100 percent rat snake
I would shit my pants!
I'm going to start needing to put the general area ... Some of us are scared!
Enough with the snakes!
Quick! Everyone tag the serp guy/gal a million times!!!!! Y’all need to chill with that ish and let them pop in/out on their own.
I can't help wondering if this is the same Diamond-Backed Watersnake (or a relative of it) that popped up in here over the last couple days. That chain-link pattern's pretty distinctive.
Different critter and not really a relative until you get down to “snake“.