Yellow Rat Snake

Yellow rat snake is just another species of rat snake that is widely spread across the northern hemisphere. Belonging to the family Colubrids, these reptiles post no threat to human life. Also known by the name 'chicken snake', this snake belongs to the Animalia Kingdom of the Reptilia class. This reptile 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. The rest of the article gives you some quick facts on this reptile.

Where Does the Snake Live?
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 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. But because of its love for mice, it is most commonly found in farms. The snake is largely nocturnal by nature.

Description
An adult can reach a length up to 42 to 72 inches long. Its color ranges from green, yellow to orange, and is distinguished by four 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, 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 are generally mistaken for different species of snakes, as they look different from adults. They have a dark appearance and are strongly marked with irregularly shaped spots or blotches, against a gray background. An important point to make a note of is the fact that this reptile should not be mistaken for the yellow snake, also known as Jamaican boa.

Feeding Habits
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 thus, the name 'chicken snake'. Juveniles mainly feed on tree frogs, small lizards, baby mice, and other small rodents for first few days, until they are matured enough to take down larger preys. It is a constrictor, and non-venomous reptile. It suffocates its prey to death, like pythons and other boa species. While hunting, it coils around its prey. As the prey exhales, the snake tightens its grip further leaving no scope for the prey to inhale thus, causing it to suffocate and die. Thereafter, the snake swallows its prey whole headfirst.

Reproduction
Late April, May and early June are the breeding months for this rat snake species. It is considered to be sexually mature when it attains half its eventual size. In other words, 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 is, the offspring's sex is determined by the incubation temperature. Higher temperature most likely results in males, while lower temperature in females.

As mentioned already, the rat snake presents no threat to humans. Although, the snake's bite is not fatal, it may cause severe wound infections. Rat sakes act as natural exterminators in barns and other agricultural settings by curbing the rodent population. And that is why farmers are generally happy to have them around for natural and free vermin control. Environmental and habitat degradation are major threats to their population. They also fall prey to human persecution, mainly due to people's lack of knowledge and fear of snakes.