I don't know that it is a ratsnake. It looks too pale and too striped for a Ratsnake from Arkansas and the head shape/size is wrong. They are generally darker and more blotched from what I have seen of Arkansas ratsnakes.

To me the body looks more like a striped Prairie Kingsnake. Although they are normally blotched, as old adults, many prairie kings in that part of the country become uniform brown with darker striping.

Look at the prairie king in this photo - www.snakesofarkansas.com/galleries/snake/colubridae/lampropeltis_calligaster/42306131_calligaster.jpg.html and see if you don't think that is the correct ID.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

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