First, there is no reason to think that he is cross with anything. There is no pattern of his head and very little pattern on his belly. He is just hypomelanistic. I have only come across one like it and that was outside Richmond Va. back in 1969.

There are other things to consider. Is he a Pantherophis alleghaniensis, or a Pantherophis spiloides. Black rats are found on both the East Coast, and west of the Alleghanies. To be sure, you would have to know where he was captured. It is a nice looking animal.

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