Rat Snake - Green Red Tailed

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Grey Ratsnake Scientific Name: Elaphe obsoleta spiloides

Basic Info

The Gray Rat Snake averages about 1.5 meters in length, or around 5 feet. They can reach up to 7 feet. They are usually brown, tan, white, or gray in color with darker blotches. The pattern and coloration of this species can vary greatly. One variety, known as "Oak Phase", is very light in color. They have very straight sides and weakly keeled scales on the back. The markings are more distinct on younger snakes.

Health

Gray Rat Snakes should be kept in an enclosure that is at least 24 inches long. The temperature in the enclosure should about 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, with a basking area in the high 80s, and the temperature should be lowered to the low 70s at night. They should be provided with a hiding place and will also make good use of a branch, that they can use for climbing. Breeding The Gray Rat Snake usually mates in April or June. A month or two after mating, usually between May and July, the female Rat Snake will lay a clutch of between ten and twenty eggs. These eggs will hatch between July and September, resulting in babies between 30 and 35 centimeters in length.

Habitat

Found in the sandy soil of sparse woodlands

Behavior

The Gray Rat Snake is larger than most Rat Snakes. They are usually docile, although they can become aggressive when threatened or nervous. Found primarily in the Midwestern United States, the Gray Rat Snake can usually be found in the sandy soil of sparse woodlands.They are mostly arboreal animals, meaning they spend a lot of time in trees. They can often be found hunting or basking on rocks and tree limbs. Gray Rat Snakes do not require hibernation unless they are to be bred. They are quite common in captivity. In the wild, young Gray Rat Snakes are eaten by raptors and carnivorous mammals. The adults grow to a significant length, so they are rarely harmed by anything but humans.

Origin

United States

History

The Gray Rat Snake can be found in Indiana, southern Illinois, Mississippi, and Georgia.

Common Foods

They feed primarily on large rodents, hence the name "Rat Snake." They will also eat birds and bird eggs.