Rat snakes are among of the well-known varieties of pet snakes across America.
They are perfect for those who are just starting out due to their calm personality and basic care needs.
There are more than 45 species of snakes known as rat which are classified into two categories.
Old world species come originated from Europe and the new world species come originated from North America. The new world animals are more gentle and easy to handle, so they are ideal for novices.
Read on to find out which species are the most suitable pets.
What is a Rat Snake?
Rat snakes are nonvenomous , medium-sized constrictor snakes.
The snakes belong of the Colubrid family which is why they are closely related to
- Garter snakes.
- The grass snakes.
- Racers.
- Whipsnakes.
Rat snakes can range in size from 2 to ten feet, based on the species.
They also differ widely in both color and pattern.
Certain species are only limited to a single color (e.g. the yellow and black varieties) while others exhibit the ability to color and patterns with a lot of complexity (e.g. Ridley’s Cave-Dwelling).
It is not unusual to see bands, stripes spots, saddles and spots on rats.
Certain species have scales with ridges to assist them in climbing. Some species have smooth and shiny scales to swim.
There are more than 45 known species of rat snakes with stunning size, color, and pattern range.
Below is a list with the top 20 species of pets and their appearance…
The Top 20 Rat Snakes Based on Popularity
20. Tiger
The tiger rats are among the largest pet snakes found in North as well as South America and reach an average length of more than ten feet.
The new species of the world lives in the southern part of Mexico, Peru and parts of Brazil.
The snakes of the Tiger They are creamy yellow and have the dark pattern. The black pattern could be webs, bands or stripes which fade to an intense red or a totally black tail.
They also have a line of black stripes across their faces which gives them a tiger appearance.
In spite of their name, tigers are gentle and be wonderful pets.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color yellow with an black tail |
| Pattern Stripes of black or bands |
| Size 5-10 feet |
| Classification The new world |
| Scientific Name: Spiloted pullatus |
19. Ridley’s Cave-Dweller
The Ridley’s Cave-Dweller is indigenous in Malaysia and Thailand which is where it lives in caves and eats bats.
The rat snake is known as an attractive snake.
They sport A lavender head that fades to their orange-colored body. Their orange body is then transforms into an black tail.
Ridley’s Cave-Dwellers sport one single stripe of cream down their spines and a white underbelly.
The unique colors of this rat snake have made it very popular with enthusiasts, making it difficult to locate in the majority of pet stores.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color Lavender to Orange to black gradient, with a cream belly |
| Pattern: White dorsal stripe |
| Size 5-7 feet |
| Classification Classification of the Old World |
| Science Name Elaphe taeniura rileyi |
18. Red-Tailed Green Rat
The rat snake of this size is a strong constrictors (red tail boa) which is indigenous to the southeast region of Asia.
The Red-Tailed Green Rat Snakes are named for the red tail they have. They are also popular by their bright, shiny green color as well as their black skin.
Many people also sport an ethereal green zig-zag across their body.
Their heads are either light green or yellow and have a dark stripe that runs through their eyes. Certain individuals also are also blessed with the large blue tongue as well.
The Red-Tailed Green Rat Snakes tend to be more aggressive than other species listed here. They should only be owned by knowledgeable owners.
If threatened, they puff up their bodies to appear twice as large as their actual size.
| Important Facts |
|---|
| Color The body is bright green with a pale green belly, the tail is either brown or red. |
| Pattern: Faint zig-zag lines |
| Size 5-8 feet |
| Classification Classification: Old world |
| Science name: Gonyosoma oxycephalum |
17. Rhino Rat Snake
The rhinoceros snake is a distinct specie with a horn that is scaled at the tip of their snout.
The rhino snakes that have just been born are uniformly gray-green, with the underbelly being a light cream.
As they age, most people turn more vibrant and bright with an elongated yellow-green belly. However, some snakes keep their youthful gray coloring.
All species suffer from an odour that is dark at the base of their snouts through the eye.
Rhino snakes are often found and can be bought for between $200 and $300.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color: Bright green sides and back and a lighter green belly |
| Model: Speckling |
| Size between 3 and 5 feet |
| Classification Classification: Old world |
| Science Nom: Rhynchophis boulengeri |
16. King Rat Snake
It is the King variation is huge snake that preys upon venomous snakes.
King Rat Snakes are found in many species throughout China as well as Vietnam and consume a wide variety of snakes with venom.
The King Rat Snake The king rat snake is in black, with yellow-colored scales and the appearance of thin yellow bands in the midsection, which fade towards the tail.
The body scales of their bodies are made, giving the appearance of jewels.
The head of the fish is yellow, with black bands around its edges, and underneath, it’s olive and has random black patches.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color Keeled black yellow scales |
| Pattern The pattern is thin, yellow bands that are irregularly shaped |
| Size 5-7 feet |
| Classification Old world |
| Science Name Elaphe carinata |
15. Mexican
This type of snake is found most often throughout Mexico as well as Central America.
Mexican Rat Snakes look like the corn snakes in appearance.
They’re a beige-colored hue with deep red spots. These spots are often surrounded by black and combine to form a single, Wavy stripe. Due to this, they are also known as the yellow-red snake.
The snake’s sides also have red spots that are alternating with the dorsal spots.
Their stomachs are white and have little or any markings.
Mexican varieties feature unique pale blue iris and tiny pupils. They are always awestruck.
| Important Facts |
|---|
| Color Beige with a cream underneath |
| Pattern Red spots with black-rings |
| Size between 2 and 4 feet |
| Classification The new world |
| Scientist Name Pseudelaphe Flavirufa |
14. Mandarin
The Mandarin snake can be found in India, Vietnam, Tibet and China ( central and eastern Asia).
Contrary to most snakes, rat snakes seldom climb.
Mandarin snakes instead spend the bulk of their time sheltered in burrows without walls or looking for rodents in their forest floors.
They sport brown bodies and are decorated with yellow and black diamonds on their backs.
The head of their dog is yellow and has black bands. Their belly is light brown with vertical black stripes.
The Mandarin Rat Snake is sought-after and some can sell for more than $300.
| Important Facts |
|---|
| Colour: Tan |
| Pattern The pattern is black and yellow diamonds black stripes on belly |
| Size 4-7 feet |
| Classification Classification: Old world |
| Science Nom: Euprepiophis mandarinus |
13. Leucistic Texas
Leucistic Texas Rat Snakes are an extremely popular morph that was which is bred from the traditional Texas Rat Snake.
A few leucistic people have been observed out in nature, but it is more usual for these forms to be bred in a captive environment.
Leucistic snakes look completely white, or pale pink with shiny scales.
Contrary to albino morphs which lack pigmentation (21 snake facts) the leucistic snakes maintain the color of their eyes. They have golden or gray Irises.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color Color: White or light pink |
| Pattern No |
| Size 3-to-5 feet |
| Classification New world |
| Science Name Elaphe obsoleta Lindheimeri |
12. Japanese
This kind of snake is usually encountered in the forests in Japan.
The Japanese Rat Snake is medium-sized snake that hunts small rodents between dawn and dusk.
The snake is spotted with uneven spots of olive and dark yellow with a solid green head and black smudge in their eye.
The scales on their belly are white or pale green with black speckles that are intermittently visible.
Incredibly, it is interesting to note that there is an unofficial population of albino Japanese rats near the town of Iwakuni. The wild population has been protected by Japan’s Japanese government.
| Important Facts |
|---|
| Color Color: Yellowish or olive green with a pale underbelly |
| Pattern Black speckled with black |
| Size 3-to-5 feet |
| Classification Classification: Old world |
| Science Name Elaphe climacophora |
11. Brown rat snake
Their other common name is the white-bellied rat snake.
Brown Rat Snakes are a kind of rat snake which is found throughout Sumatra, Thailand and Indonesia.
The species is usually found in rivers and streams in which it hunts lizards as well as smaller mammals.
They are larger and more elegant than the other species on this group and exhibit an habit of lifting the front part of their bodies off of the floor and swinging from side to side when they feel disturbed.
Young people are flecked with black and green. They turn reddish-brown as they grow older.
Adults are either red or dark brown with black spiderweb designs on their backs and sides.
| Important Information |
|---|
| Color Red or dark brown with an empty white belly |
| Pattern Spiderwebs that are thin black |
| Size 5-8 feet |
| Classification Classification: Old world |
| Science Name Ptyas Fusca |
10. Everglades Rat Snake
The Everglades Rat Snake is a part of the Eastern Rat Snake family.
Like their name suggests, this species comes from South Florida Everglades.
Everglades Rat snakes appear deep orange, with an underbelly of yellow or cream. Certain individuals might show tiny stripes on their backs, however these are not common in adulthood.
Juveniles have a lot of resemblance to the other subspecies of eastern rat snakes.
They will only change to an orange color when they get older.
Everglades snakes stand out from the other North American species as they tend to be found close to water. They are extremely adept at swimming.
| Important Facts |
|---|
| Color Bright yellow or bright orange |
| Pattern: Possible faint stripes |
| Size between 3 and 6 feet |
| Classification New world |
| Science Name Elaphe obsoleta rosesalleni |
9. Trans-Pecos
The rat snake of Trans-Pecos is indigenous to a tiny area of land located in southwest Texas as well as northern Mexico.
Trans-Pecos are a slim snake, which is olive-tan and have none head marks.
Two black stripes run along their necks, which continue to form the form of black and brown streaks with a light central. Certain lighter people may not have any stripes.
Trans-Pecos Rat Snakes have similar bellies that are cream-colored like their cousin that is the Baja California.
The species is extremely gentle and is typically offered as a pet for between $100 and $150.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color Color: Yellow, olive, or Tan |
| Pattern H-shaped markings on the spine |
| Size between 3 and 5 feet |
| Classification New world |
| Science Nom: Bogertophis subocularis |
8. Western Rat Snake
It is the Western Rat Snake is a black variety of the rat snake.
Western rats can be found all over the world, all the way from northern Texas up to southern Canada, the Great Lakes and southern Canada.
The species is dark reddish brown with light spots that are bordered by black. They usually possess a bright white chin and a paler belly that is tan and dark bands.
Their rough appearance gives them an appearance similar to the rattlesnake of the wood. Because of their similar appearance, this snake will rattle its tail through leaves, making the sound of rattlesnakes.
It is the Western snake has become a very popular pet rat snake , and it requires very little care.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color Dark red |
| Pattern Dark rings, with white at the middle of the spine |
| Size between 3 and 6 feet |
| Classification The new world |
| Science name: Pantherophis obsoletus |
7. Great Plains Rat Snake
The Great Plains is a small snake that is that is native in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas and northern Mexico. Since this species is nocturnal, it is difficult to locate them in all their habitats.
This snake appears like the red snake but is typically darker in color.
Great Plains have dark brown saddles on their backs, as well as smaller spots on their sides.
The belly of their pups is pale gray, with the double row of stripes along the length the tail.
| Important Facts |
|---|
| Color Color: Gray or Tan |
| Pattern Dark brown saddles and spots along the sides |
| Size 2-to-3 feet |
| Classification The new world |
| Scientist Nom: Pantherophis emoryi |
6. Gray
The rat snake species can be found in a small area that runs across the United States east of the Mississippi river, and to the west of Appalachian mountains.
In the northern portion of their range, adults are dark gray and black markings on their backs as well as their sides. In the southern portion of their range, this snake has the markings of its young. It is the rat snake having grey or dark brown saddle markings.
Gray rat snakes possess very rough scales and larger keels than black rats.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color Gray to black and an empty white belly |
| Pattern Gray saddles |
| Size between 3 and 6 feet |
| Classification The new world |
| Scientist Nom: Pantherophis spiloides |
5. Red Rat Snake
A red snake a different term used to describe the the corn snake.
The Corn Snake is native to the Southeast region of the United States. They usually live in proximity to man-made structures such as barns.
It is smaller in size than the majority of rats on this list.
In the wild, red snakes of rat are bright orange or tan. They have saddles of dark red on their backs, as well as an obvious V-shape mark between their eyes.
Their bellies look like composed of white and black squares. This is the reason they have the name because they resemble the kernels of Flint Corn.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color Color: Yellow, Orange, red, and tan |
| Pattern Dark saddles in brown or red with checked belly |
| Dimension: 1.5 to 3 feet |
| Classification The new world |
| Scientist Title: Pantherophis guttatus |
4. Yellow Rat Snake
Yellow Rat Snakes are a subspecies of the Eastern Rat Snake.
Rat snakes of yellow has gorgeous olive or golden hue with dark brown stripes along its spine.
The stripes can be strikingly dark or nearly invisible based on the person.
Yellow Rats also have a silky white or yellow belly , without any markings or golden irises.
The yellow snake is a well-known pet. It has been bred to many different varieties. The most well-known morphs are:
- Albino
- Patternless
- Whiteside
| Important Facts |
|---|
| Color Color: Olive or yellow white belly |
| Pattern four stripes running between the head and the tail |
| Size 3 – 6 feet |
| Classification The new world |
| Scientist Nom: Pantherophis alleghaniensis quadrivittata |
3. Eastern Rat Snake
Eastern Rat Snakes occur only on the southeastern coast in the United States.
It is not uncommon to see them everywhere between North Carolina to Florida.
They’re nearly identical to black snake since they are black on their backs as well as the sides with tiny Keels that are visible on the scales.
Juveniles are light gray , with darker brown squares on their spine. The patterns fade with age.
Their underbelly is white toward the chin. It also has uneven black marks that blend with an overall gray towards the tail.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color Black, gray with white belly |
| Pattern Black checkerboard on the stomach |
| Size 3 – 6 feet |
| Classification New world |
| Science name: Pantherophis alleghaniensis |
2. Texas
Texas Rat Snakes are typically seen in Texas and in the states around.
Depending on the place you see the snake will be based on the appearance.
People from the eastern part of Texas tend to be dark grey with reddish shades.
The species from central Texas tend to be more yellow.
The basic shape of this snake remains the similar. Texas Rat Snakes sport dark hexagonal blotches that run along the spine, and a light cream belly with no marks. They also have a red skin that runs between their scales which is evident after they’ve consumed.
They are often mistaken for copperheads due to their appearance.
| Important Facts |
|---|
| Color The color is reddish brown. |
| Pattern Hexagonal back spots |
| Size between 3 and 6 feet |
| Classification The new world |
| Science Name Elaphe obsoleta Lindheimeri |
1. Black Rat Snake
Black Rat Snakes are one of the most well-known varieties of rat snakes throughout North America.
They are great pet dogs and are very gentle.
Black rats are easily recognized by their black shiny scales, as well as white belly scales that have black patches.
This species is among the largest species in North America with some individuals exceeding six feet.
They originate from in the Eastern United States and can be bought for as low as $50.
| Vital Information |
|---|
| Color White and black |
| Pattern Black solid on top, and an empty belly of white |
| Size between 3 and 6 feet |
| Classification: The future of the web. |
| Scientist Nom: Pantherophis obsoletus |
How To Choose A Rat Snake
There are many types of rats. Not every snake is appropriate for every pet owner.
The kind of plant you choose will be determined by your skills in the field and the kind of animal you are seeking.
The King and Red-tailed Green species are very aggressive and are not suitable for children.
Black, Eastern, Texas, Yellow, Gray, Western and Trans-Pecos species breeding in captivity, have peaceful personalities and are simple to handle even for experts in hobby.
Japanese, Red, Rhino and Mexican Rat snakes are the most appropriate for those who are just beginning. They are tiny, friendly and come with distinct and diverse patterns and colors.
Have you made the decision to adopt the rat snake? Tell us by leaving a comment.
