Rat Snake

Trans Pecos Rat Snake Facts, Identification, & Control

Latin Name

Bogertophis subocularis

Appearance

The Trans-Pecos rat snake is a non-venomous snake which can be found is certain places such as Northern Mexico, Southern Arizona and Southwestern Texas. This is the species of snakes commonly used as a pet by snake lovers. It is easy to train and raise the snake while in captivity and its distinguished by its vivid markings. The scales of the Trans-Pecos rat snake has color range of yellow to light olive and softly keeled. It has a marking on it with the shape of H but is seen as dark brown or black stripes on the scales of other snakes. The male can measure over five feet in length while the female can between 3 ½ to 4 ½ feet long.

Behavior, Diet & Habits

The snake is gentle and is not common in natural habitat but rather prefers dry, rocky terrain as its dwelling place and it is basically a nocturnal animal. During the heat of the day, it takes shelter in cracks and crevices and goes in search of food at night. Trans-Pecos rat snake kills its prey by constriction and feed mainly on small sized vertebrates with the inclusion of birds, mammals and reptiles.

The snakes go in search of mate partners in early summer and during the spring. The female lay between 3-11 eggs which are carried for three month after the mating process. The young snake measure about a foot in length when it hatches and only comes out from its underground comfort zone after the cold winter period.