Rat snake stuff

DESCRIPTION Size: This species is one of the longest snakes in the United States. The record is 256.5 cm (101 in) in total length. The adult usually measures 107 - 183 cm (42.1 - 72 in). Color: The Eastern Rat Snake is a variable species in terms of its color and pattern. There are three color phases or subspecies in Georgia - the Black Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta, the Yellow Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata, and the Gray Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta spiloides. Juveniles are blotched in all subspecies, but adult color differs. The Black Rat Snake is uniformly black. (Some individuals retain traces of the blotched juvenile pattern.) The belly is an irregular black and white checkerboard pattern with extensive black smudging in the white areas. The Yellow Rat Snake is uniform greenish to greenish yellow, with four dark brown or black longitudinal stripes. The belly is cream to yellowish and mottled with gray. An adult Gray Rat Snake retains the blotched juvenile pattern. The background color can vary from dark to very light gray or pale brown. Blotches can be brown or gray varying from pale to very dark. LIFE CYCLE The Eastern Rat Snake breeds in the spring and lays from 5 - 44 eggs from June to August. Eggs are laid in rotting hollow tree stumps, in rotten logs, piles of rotten timbers, or compost. The eggs hatch from late August to early October. Hatchlings average about 30.5 cm (12 in) in total length. HISTORY The Eastern Rat Snake is most common in or near forested areas, forest edges with old fields, and abandoned buildings. It is most active in the day and can be active year round if the temperature is not too cold. All Rat Snakes are powerful constrictors. Adults and juveniles eat rodents and other small mammals, as well as birds and bird eggs. Juveniles also eat frogs and lizards. The Eastern Rat Snake is an excellent climber and climbs high into trees to hunt for bird eggs or squirrels. This species is called the "Chicken Snake" by many people because they can be found in hen houses where they eat eggs or chicks. If cornered or threatened, a Rat Snake will vibrate its tail rapidly. If this is done in an area of loose leaves, it can resemble the sound of a rattlesnake rattle. RANGE The adaptable Eastern Rat Snake ranges from New York west to eastern Nebraska then south to southern Texas and across all of the southeastern United States. This species can be found throughout Georgia. The ranges of the three Georgia subspecies overlap through the central portion of the state. Black Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta Yellow Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata Corn Snake Elaphe guttata guttata Black Racer Coluber constrictor Eastern Coachwhip Snake Masticophis flagellum flagellum Eastern King Snake Lampropeltis getula getula Pine Snake Pituophis melanoleucus Non-Venomous, Medium-Sized Terrestrial Species: Eastern Hognose Snake Heterondon platirhinos Eastern Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Eastern Ribbon Snake Thamnophis sauritus sauritus Peninsula Ribbon Snake Thamnophis sauritus sackenii Mole King Snake Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata Eastern Milk Snake Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum Rough Green Snake Opheodrys aestivus Non-Venomous, Small Terrestrial Species: Scarlet King Snake Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides Scarlet Snake Cemophora coccinea copei Southern Hognose Snake Heterondon simus Ringneck Snakes Diadophis punctatus Eastern Worm Snake Carphophis amoenus amoenus Brown Snakes Storeria Brown Snakes Storeria dekayi Redbelly Snakes Storeria occipitomaculata Earth Snakes Virginia Pine Woods Snake Rhadinaea flavilata Southeastern Crowned Snake Tantilla coronata Wetland Species: Watersnakes Nerodia Northern Water Snake Nerodia sipedon sipedon Midland Water Snake Nerodia sipedon pleuralis Brown Water Snake Nerodia taxispilota Redbelly Water Snake Nerodia erythrogaster erythrogaster Banded Water Snake Nerodia fasciata fasciata Florida Green Water Snake Nerodia floridana Crayfish Snakes Regina Queen Snake Regina septemvittata Glossy Crayfish Snake Regina rigida rigida Carolina Swamp Snake Seminatrix pygaea paludis Rainbow Snake Farancia erytrogramma erytrogramma Eastern Mud Snake Farancia abacura abacura Venomous, Larger Species: Moccasins Agkistrodon Copperhead Snake Agkistrodon contortrix Cottonmouth Snake Agkistrodon piscivorus Rattlesnakes Crotalus Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus horridus Eastern Diamondback Crotalus adamanteus Venomous, Smaller Species: Pigmy Rattlesnakes Sistrurus Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake Sistrurus miliarius miliarius Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake Sistrurus miliarius barbouri Eastern Coral Snake Micrurus fulvius fulvius