Texas+Rat+Snake

toc //Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri // Order: Squamata

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Diet Requirements

 * In the wild, Texas rat snakes eat rodents, eggs, birds, lizards, small mammals, and frogs.
 * In captivity, they are fed rodents.

Notes on Enrichment & Training


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Potential Messaging


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Range and Habitat
The rat snake subspecies is primarily found in the state of Texas, but its range also extends into Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It can survive in a variety of habitats, including bayous, swampy country, forests, stream valleys, and rock canyons.

Physical Description
The body of the Texas rat snake is yellowish-gray to brown with a pattern of darker saddles and a tendency for reddish skin to show in-between the scales on the sides. The underbelly also has numerous black blotches. There is a leucistic morph, which is glossy white with black eyes. (This is different from an albino, which is white with pink eyes, and is available in the pet trade.) Maximum length is about 7 feet.

Life Cycle
Mating occurs March through May, and eggs are laid in May, June, or July. If conditions are favorable, some females may lay 2 clutches in a year. 5 to 20 eggs are deposited in a protected area, such as a manure pile, a stump, a hollow tree, or a rock heap. The young snakes will hatch out in August or September, and they are 9 to 11 inches long at that time. In the wild, Texas rat snakes live about 10 to 15 years, but lifespans can exceed 20 years in captivity.

Behavior
Texas rat snakes are sometimes referred to as "chicken snakes" because they are occasionally seen in or around chicken coops. Many people believe they are there to eat the chickens or their eggs, but this is not necessarily the case. Although they will eat eggs or chicks given the opportunity, they are just as likely to be dining on the rodents that live with the chickens. Their defensive behavior is similar to that of a rattlesnake: the Texas rat snake will vibrate its tail rapidly, though it lacks rattles. It will also coil its body and raise its head, and will rapidly strike over and over again at anything that it perceives as a threat. This subspecies is known for its feisty attitude, and will typically bite if handled. The bite, however, is harmless. They are also excellent climbers.

Threats and Conservation Status
This species is not considered endangered.

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=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * The Philadelphia Zoo