Yellow Rat Snake

Also commonly known as chicken snake, the yellow rat snake belongs to the Animalia Kingdom of the Reptilia Class. The yellow rat snake comes from the family known as Colubridae of the Order Squamata. Apart from the yellow rat snake, there are other rat snake species such as, corn snake, black rat snake, Texas rat snake, Texas baird rat snake, Mexican baird rat snake, everglades rat snake, gray rat snake, Mexican night snake and blue and Taiwan beauty snakes. The yellow rat snake is scientifically known as elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata. Population of this snake is prevalent from coastal North Carolina to southeastern Georgia and over most of the Florida peninsula.

Habitat of Yellow Rat Snake
This arboreal reptile mostly dwells in slash pine scrub, pine flatlands, oak hammocks, coastal hardwood hammocks, cypress dome swamps and mostly in deciduous hardwood forests. While hunting, the yellow rat snake can be spotted high in cypress and oak trees. It can also be found near water bodies, barns, abandoned buildings, pastures, knot holes and palm fronds. The snake mostly bears nocturnal characteristics by nature.

Adult Yellow Rat Snake
An adult yellow rat snake grows to about 42 to 72 inches long. Its color ranges from being greenish, yellow to orange, and is distinguished by 4 brown to black longitudinal dark stripes, running the length of the body. The color of its belly varies from dark greenish yellow to a rich yellow shade, depending on its regional habitat. Its forked-tongue is black in color and it has a yellow-colored iris. Its mid body consists of a number of dorsal scale rows with scales that are weakly keeled (having a ridge or shaped like a ridge). The hatchlings or baby yellow rat snakes are generally mistaken for different species of snakes. This is because young yellow rat snakes do not share the same looks as the adults. They have a dark appearance and are strongly marked with irregularly-shaped spots or blots, against a gray background.

Feeding Habits of Yellow Rat Snake
The yellow rat snake gets its name from its staple food; rats. It also feeds on mice, squirrels, birds and bird eggs. It preys on chicks and hence it's also called 'chicken snake'. A juvenile yellow rat snake mainly feeds on treefrogs, small lizards, baby mice and other small rodents for first few days, until it matures.

Reproduction of Yellow Rat Snake
Late April, May and early June are the breeding months for the yellow rat snake. It is considered to be sexually mature when it attains half its eventual size. In short, mating in these snakes is determined by size and not by age. Five weeks after mating, the female lays a clutch of about 12 to 20 eggs. A period of 65 to 70 days is required for the eggs to hatch. An interesting fact about the birth of a baby snake is that, the offspring's sex is determined by the incubation temperature. Warmer temperatures result in the birth of male offsprings and cooler temperatures favor females.

The yellow rat snake and in fact all rat snake species are constrictors and non-venomous reptiles. They suffocate their prey to death, like pythons and boa constrictors. They present no threat to humans, unless they feel threatened. Although non-venomous snake bites are not fatal, they may cause possible wound infections. These snakes act as natural exterminators in barns and other agricultural settings by curbing the rodent population. Environmental and habitat degradation are major threats to the population of these yellow rat snake species. They also fall prey to human persecution, mainly due to people's lack of knowledge and fear of snakes.