What exactly is the snake I have? The book I have calls it a Western ratsnake(scotophus obsoletus)
Is this the same as a Pantherophis obsoletus or black ratsnake.
And Ive seen it called Elaphe obsolete....So which is it?

Well, it is all three of those names..LOL!, but it really depends on what location of the country it was captured.

All Black Rats used to be classified as Elaphe obsoleta, then not long ago Pantherophis obsoletus for Western Ratsnakes, and just recently re-classified as Scotophis obsoletus west of the Mississippi River. If you live east of the Mississippi, they are now designated as Scotophis alleghaniensis due to some alleged DNA differences that were found to be genetically different.


Yes, that's very typical for ratsnakes to vibrate their tales, that just means they would rather not be messed with is all. It sounds like he just might do real well for you. Just watch the handling when it's belly is full as I mentioned earlier. That is taking a chance that it could regurgitate, and this could snowball into HUGE very serious problems that are an entirely different topic you don't want to have to deal with.


cheers, ~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"


serpentinespecialties.webs.com

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