The greenish rat snake is a natural intergrade that occurs where black rat and yellow rat snakes ranges overlap. I have not seen a black or yellow rat snake in the wild here in well over twenty years. It seems as if the intergrade has become the dominant species (for lack of a better word) here. They are not considered hybrids and have been recognized for several decades now. The hatchlings vary a little with some showing pink tones and others more of a lavender tone. It makes sense as the adult has both pink and lavender markings. His stripes, which come from the yellow rat snake influence, became evident over time and were not visible when I caught him. I am thinking that the yellow will come in over time.

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