Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Texas Rat Snake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Photo by AshleyT
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

32.358, -95.8066

Field Notes

Description:

This guy was just shy of 6 ft, and when I released him I put him on a tree so I could see him climb. He has a dark back with darker blotches and a lighter belly with a white chin.

Habitat:

Found crossing the road in an oak forest. I took him back and measured, weighed, and marked him then released him that night in the same place he was caught earlier in the day.

Reference Links:

Western rat snake

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
SG in CR
Neat, I never seen a snake climb like that before.
staccyh
Cool info and nice photos.
AshleyT
Thanks guys! Rat snakes are some of the best climbers of the snakes in the US because of their body shape. Most snakes are round, but rat snakes are shaped like a loaf of bread; having a very flat stomach with rounded back. This allows them to have more of their body able to grip to the tree, allowing them to climb completely vertical surfaces as long as it has some sort of texture they can grip onto :)
LaurenZarate
That is incredible how it can climb a tree with just its belly scales and sheer muscle.
HemaShah
Except in the movie "Jungle Book" I have never really seen a snake up a tree.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Snakes of the World
Mission
Snakes of the United States - Center for Snake Conservation
Mission
Texas Wildlife Photographers
Mission
Herps of Texas
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Photographed
PublishedJune 23, 2014

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies