Snakes
Western Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
Across the regions where it's common, the Western Ratsnake peaks from April to July.
Shows up in 9 ecoregions and 7 states
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Snakes
Western Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
Description
Pantherophis obsoletus, also known commonly as the western rat snake, black rat snake (not to be confused with Pantherophis alleghaniensis), pilot black snake, or simply black snake, is a nonvenomous species of snake in the family Colubridae. Western rat snakes typically range 106.7 ‒183 cm.Wikipedia ↗
Habitat
Pantherophis obsoletus is found west of the Mississippi River, from eastern and southern Iowa southward through Missouri and Arkansas to western Louisiana, westward to eastern Texas, northward through Oklahoma and eastern Kansas to southeastern Nebraska. Rat snakes of the genus Pantherophis are primarily diurnally active and live in a variety of habitats; some overlap each other.Wikipedia ↗
When it's active
In Pantherophis obsoletus, mating takes place in late May and early June. The mating lasts a few minutes to a few hours.Wikipedia ↗
Often mistaken for
When and where it's active
Each row is its own calendar, counted from records in that area. Seasons shift by place.
Ecoregions
States
About the Western Ratsnake
When is the Western Ratsnake most active?
Across the regions where it's common, the Western Ratsnake peaks from April to July.
Where does the Western Ratsnake live?
It has enough records to show in 9 ecoregions and 7 states, including Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, and Missouri.
What does the Western Ratsnake look like?
It's often confused with the Eastern Copperhead and Broad-banded Copperhead.