Western Rat Snake
Pantherophis obsoletus
- Class
- Reptile
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 18,000
- Most observed in
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Conservation
- Least Concern
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. The species is native to central North America west of the Mississippi River. No subspecies are recognized as being valid. Its color variations include the Texas rat snake. Along with other snakes of the eastern United States, like the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) and the eastern racer (Coluber constrictor), it is called "black snake".
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Pantherophis obsoletus”.