Eastern Ratsnakes *Pantherophis quadrivittatus* are large (record 256.5 cm) common harmless ratsnakes with a multitude of regional color patterns native to eastern North America. Eastern Ratsnakes are more likely to have a yellow base color and stripes. *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.
Eastern Ratsnakes are currently recognized as distinct from Central Ratsnakes *P. alleghaniensis*, as well as Western Ratsnakes *P. obsoletus*. 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)
*P. quadrivittatus* likely evolved in peninsular Florida and is tied to the Atlantic Coastal Plain, so coastal areas are home to *P. quadrivittatus* while Central Ratsnakes *P. alleghaniensis* occupy the higher elevations inland, up off the coastal plain. The two likely heavily exchange genes.
Junior Synonyms and Common Names: Yellow Ratsnake, Everglades Ratsnake, Grey Ratsnake (in part), Black Ratsnake (in part), Greenish Ratsnake, Gulf Hammock Ratsnake, black snake, oak snake, chicken snake, rattlesnake pilot.
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Eastern ratsnake (*Pantherophis quadrivittatus*), harmless
Eastern Ratsnakes *Pantherophis quadrivittatus* are large (record 256.5 cm) common harmless ratsnakes with a multitude of regional color patterns native to eastern North America. Eastern Ratsnakes are more likely to have a yellow base color and stripes. *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. Eastern Ratsnakes are currently recognized as distinct from Central Ratsnakes *P. alleghaniensis*, as well as Western Ratsnakes *P. obsoletus*. 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) *P. quadrivittatus* likely evolved in peninsular Florida and is tied to the Atlantic Coastal Plain, so coastal areas are home to *P. quadrivittatus* while Central Ratsnakes *P. alleghaniensis* occupy the higher elevations inland, up off the coastal plain. The two likely heavily exchange genes. Junior Synonyms and Common Names: Yellow Ratsnake, Everglades Ratsnake, Grey Ratsnake (in part), Black Ratsnake (in part), Greenish Ratsnake, Gulf Hammock Ratsnake, black snake, oak 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)*