Great Plains Rat Snake
(Elaphe emoryi)
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Great Plains Rat Snake (Elaphe emoryi) |
Color Photographs: U.S. Forest Service
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Elaphe slowinskii A close relative of the Great Plains Rat Snake. The ranges of the two species are separate. Slowinski's Corn Snake is found in western Louisiana and extreme eastern Texas. This species typically has maroon tints absent in the Great Plains Rat Snake.
Lampropeltis calligaster These two species can be very difficult to to separate in the field sharing a similar pattern and color scheme. All of the scales of the Prairie Kingsnake are smooth, but at least some of the dorsal scales of the Great Plains Rat Snake are weakly keeled.
Heterodon nasicus The Western Hognose Snake has a similar pattern, but both it and the Eastern Hognose Snake have a distinctively wide and flattened head. Great Plains Rat Snake (Elaphe emoryi) Identification: Snake 24 to 73 inches in length. Ground color of body brown to light gray. Dorsum of body with a series of rectangular olive, brown or dark gray saddle-like botches. Blotches outlined with black. Two lines of olive, brown, or dark gray blotches occur on each side of the body with blotches alternating with each other. Belly with square, black patches thinning to stripes toward the tail. A dark arrowhead mark is found on the top of the head. Scales smooth or weekly keeled and the anal plate is divided. Geographical Variation: None Range (see map at left): This species ranges across the southern Great Plains states from southern Nebraska and southwestern Illinnois, southward through most of Texas and Mexico, and into northern Mexico. An isolated population is found on the border between Colorado and Utah. Habitat: The Great Plains Rat Snake is found in prairie grading into brushland and desert. Food: Mammals, birds, lizards, and frogs. Behavior: A nocturnal snake hiding under logs and other plant debris during the daytime. The Great Plains Rat Snake is a docile animal, but will try to bite if disturbed. Reproduction: Unreported.
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Great Plains Rat Snake (Elaphe emoryi)
Similar Species: Slowinski's Corn Snake (Elaphe slowinskii) Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus)
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Similar Species |
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