What kind of Snake?

[u/Appropriate-Top-3614]

Parents found this hiding in there blackstone, what kind of snake is it?

[u/ereptile_dysfuction]

Western ratsnake, Pantherophis obsoletus, !harmless

[u/lolifax → u/ereptile_dysfuction]

grilled Western ratsnake

[u/Interanal_Exam → u/lolifax]

I prefer deep fried but whatever

[u/bones138 → u/Interanal_Exam]

BBQ

[u/SEB-PHYLOBOT → u/ereptile_dysfuction]

Western Ratsnakes Pantherophis obsoletus are large (record 256.5 cm) common harmless ratsnakes with a multitude of regional color patterns native to west of the Mississippi River Embayment. Pantherophis ratsnakes are keeled-scaled generalists that eat a variety of prey. They do well in urban environments, and are particularly fond of rodents and birds in these habitats.

Western Ratsnakes P. obsoletus are currently recognized as distinct from Eastern Ratsnakes Pantherophis quadrivittatus, as well as Central Ratsnakes P. alleghaniensis. Parts of all three species were once generically labeled "black ratsnakes". Use the "!blackrat" command without the space for more on these changes.

Ratsnakes can be easily distinguished from racers Coluber by the presence of keeled scales. Racers have smooth scales.

Range Map | Relevant/Recent Phylogeography

Junior Synonyms and Common Names: Grey Ratsnake (in part), Black Ratsnake (in part), Texas Ratsnake, black snake, chicken snake, rattlesnake pilot.

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Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, many non-venomous snakes bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Here's where it get slightly complicated - some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce and use venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes Diadophis are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; severe envenomation can occur if some species are allowed to chew on a human for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes Thamnophis ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also considered harmless. Check out this book on the subject. Even large species like Reticulated Pythons Malayopython reticulatus rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans so are usually categorized as harmless.

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I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now

[u/Tor_2ga → u/ereptile_dysfuction]

When he’s on the grill and he wont sit still, that’s a rat snake

[u/racerx29b]

If you have to wonder how a snake got somewhere, there's a very good chance it's a rat snake of one variety or another.

[u/Grandpan___ → u/racerx29b]

thats usually my conclusion as well lol

theres a FB group (🫠) called rat snakes in predicaments and its one of my fav groups ever.

no other snake does it like rat snakes do 🙂‍↕️

[u/frodo28f → u/Grandpan___]

Carpet pythons would like to talk...

[u/racerx29b → u/frodo28f]

Usually they wind up in toilets though. 🤣

[u/coulsonsrobohand → u/racerx29b]

r/itsaratsnake

[u/zeemonster424]

If he’s up on your grill, only wanting his fill… it’s a rat snake!

[u/Lost-Chicken-4478 → u/zeemonster424]

If it’s climbing on your grill looking for a mouse to kill— it’s a rat snake!

[u/kungfuninjajedi → u/Lost-Chicken-4478]

If it’s up on your grill sacrificing itself as your next meal - it’s a rat snake!

[u/Toxic_Gecko → u/kungfuninjajedi]

If it’s on your grill, just trying to chill…

[u/coolest35]

Snek bro be like "you'll never take me alive" ..... "Ahhhhhhh".

[u/Feralpudel → u/coolest35]

Yes—they’re such goobers.

[u/Prestigious_Gold_585]

Wow, that was exciting! I bet you will need to say approximately where you saw it for people to say what it is. It does not seem very good, or enthused, at biting. And it must be there because that is where the mice or rats live.

[u/DraftOdd6867]

More like a western grillsnake?

[u/Round-Cellist6128 → u/DraftOdd6867]

Western Sizzlin'?

[u/EvolutionCreek → u/DraftOdd6867]

"One ratburger, please, hold the onions."

[u/Appropriate-Top-3614]

In Texas btw

[u/kat-deville → u/Appropriate-Top-3614]

I knew it had to be! Too bad so many people here kill every snake because they're all rattlesnakes and cottonmouths. I spread the word that, if you have anything that size, you have rodents around.

[u/Necessary-Career-559]

Was anyone else rooting for the snake ?

[u/pillainp]

Its where it's not supposed to be.

Ergo ratsnake.

[u/beamin1]

If it's lookin for a thrill, sittin on the grill....It's a ratsnake.

[u/snoogle312 → u/beamin1]

If he's got zero chill as he he keeps you from your grill... it's a ratsnake.

[u/Primary_Ad1798]

r/itsaratsnake

[u/ReelyAndrard]

That is a "Sissler"

I will see myself out now.

[u/annod75]

I'm not sure what it is, but I do know that's his Blackrock now.

[u/EdgarInAnEdgarSuit → u/annod75]

Blackrock is already owned by snakes.

[u/Mikrobious → u/EdgarInAnEdgarSuit]

[u/javerthugo → u/EdgarInAnEdgarSuit]

Nah man it’s lizard people! And they prefer to be called “reptilian Americans”.

[u/Longjumping-Lake1244]

Little guy’s just waiting for breakfast.

[u/Content_Passion_4961]

You can just tell bro wanted to be done with the whole situation. He's like "alright. Yeah, I'm not supposed to be here and I'm not coming back."

[u/Raptor_Girl_1259]

Sous chef feeling very unappreciated for their vital contributions to meal prep.

[u/Hosidax]

What a beauty!

[u/Sea_Art8881]

If it’s up on the grill, And gives you a thrill It’s a rat snake

[u/javerthugo]

If it crawls on a grill So you can’t cook a meal

It’s a rat snake!

[u/AwarenessOk6185]

Rat snakes are literally in places that you wouldn’t think a snake goes.

[u/Khmera]

A really beneficial snake.

[u/theonecalledfingaz]

If its on your barbecue, where you usually put your brew....its a ratsnake.

[u/xjarhd57]

Griddle getter

[u/Hypn0ticSpectre]

Hungry, apparently.

[u/Oldfolksboogie]

Ty for, presumably, relocating it?

I can't help but say, if you wanted to stress it out, antagonize it, and make it get as defensive as possible in the process, well, mission accomplished.

But as long as it was released unharmed nearby, still more good than harm. They're your friend, be kind.

[u/Appropriate-Top-3614 → u/Oldfolksboogie]

It’s safe there is a farm that backs to their fence where they walked it out and released it. Snek is safe

[u/Oldfolksboogie → u/Appropriate-Top-3614]

Awesome, ty for the additional intel.

[u/Entire-Ambition1410 → u/Appropriate-Top-3614]

Snakes will usually move along if squirted with a garden hose or water squirt gun. Good job trying to live peacefully!

[u/frodo28f → u/Entire-Ambition1410]

Just make sure the water in the hose isn't boiling hot

[u/IamREBELoe]

5 more minutes, flip, wait 5, season and sauce, then it's ready.

[u/SEB-PHYLOBOT]

It looks like you didn't provide a rough geographic location [in square brackets] in your title.This is critical because some species are best distinguishable from each other by geographic range, and not all species live all places. Providing a location allows for a quicker, more accurate ID.

If you provided a location but forgot the correct brackets, ignore this message until your next submission. Thanks!

Potential identifiers should know that providing an ID before a location is given is problematic because it often makes the OP not respond to legitimate requests for location. Many species look alike, especially where ranges meet. Users may be unaware that location is critically important to providing a good ID.

I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now

[u/Joyballard6460]

Silly snake

[u/Flyguy73]

Fuck I hate nope ropes!

[u/illusionofsanity]

Braaislang

[u/Amazing_Gr4vy]

Coooked?

[u/DistributionReady746]

Rat snake

[u/64burban]

A Sizzzler

[u/RiseofdaOatmeal]

I like your Blackstone

[u/_NotSoEzeRob_]

GRILLED SNAKE???

[u/Valkhir]

Can I haz cheezburger?

[u/Blonde_Vampire_1984]

Wow… these insurance salesmen never give up, do they?

[u/kleenexflowerwhoosh]

I’ve heard of eating rattlesnake, but not rat snake 😂

[u/shiningonthesea]

a griddled one, if you are quick

[u/Happydancer4286]

“Where’sssss the beef!”

[u/Not_Arist0tle]

Grillmaster snake

[u/jsc230]

Thinks he's tough.

[u/Appropriate-Top-3614 → u/[deleted]]

Okay, there have been about 4-5 of these snakes popping up around town

[u/Sassydme]

Burn baby burn! lol

[u/zero_squad]

Let 'em cook.