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I caught this snake last summer in my mouse rearing building helping himself to some mice. I have never seen a TX rat marked this way. Has anyone else? I live in north-central Louisiana. I had three wild TX rats do this last summer, and a Keys corn snake that had escaped the year before (!!??).

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Campti Sam

It looks like a texas rat hybird cross to me. There's definitely something else going on with that snake.

Yeah, but crossed with what? Lousiana pine? Wouldn't that be something.
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Campti Sam

Yeah, looks a little like a Louisiana Pine too me, mixed with Texas Rat. I guess we'll never know but it's still a real nice looking snake whatever it is.

Looks like an exceptional Texas rat to me! Very nice!
Jeff

Hey,Did you keep this guy?Can you get pics of his face? Thanks!
Jeff

I did, and I can.
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Campti Sam

It's just a smokin' hot T-Rat, seemingly with a high degree of erythrism. ...that's all
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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

That is a very cool animal. I am not convinced that it is a hybrid however you could proove me wrong. I woud also like to see some close head shots. Its head shape and color looks like any other texas rat but there is some nice color with his upper body. It looks like a keeper to me!

Allen Sheehan

Yes, it would be a incredible fluke to find a trans-generic hybrid. The head is typical TX rat. When you think of how variable these animals are, it's too bad no one wants to breed them. They're not all psycho killers. No two look alike here. I get both TX rats and what look like Black rats. Louisiana is full of intergrade zones.
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Campti Sam

Yea I know what you mean. There is definitely an undeserved stigma attached to Texas Rats. I guess some are mean but I could make that argument for most Elphae. Most are just big and docile. The unfortunate thing is there are some very cool Texas morphs out there that most people are completely unaware of. Also like you said these guys can very to a good degree even in the same clutch or local.

Allen Sheehan

my baby t-rat is calmer than most corns I've known. Which says more about my luck with corns than anything else. but he's not bad. a bit flighty but that's it.
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We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.
6.6 African House snakes
3.2 reticulated pythons
.1 corn snake
4.2 Florida Kings
1.2 speckled kings
1.2 ball pythons
0.0.1 Argentine boa

Just a nice Texas Rat. This look is definitely not unknown in this subspecies.

That's a great-looking snake. It may be a Texas Rat X Black Rat intergrade (you can check out a field guide, Black Rats do live in that area). I've seen a tremendous amount of variation in "pure" Texas Rats and I'd be inclined to think that's what you have.

Tim

Here's a link to a range map for Rat Snakes in your state:
Link

Yep, I have seen both here. Or at least some kind of intergrade. Really what I had never seen before were the well-marked saddles this one has. Never.
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Campti Sam

Congratulations on that nice unique-looking Texas Rat!!

No doubt a very cool T-rat, they can sometimes have LOTS of yelowish/orange, and even reds sometimes.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

For reference to some wild, central/northern LA Texans.

Rapides Parish

DOR from Natchitoches Parish

Desoto Parish

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Regards, Bill McGighan

The Rapides Parish animal you posted is similar to the photo I posted. The others look like others I have seen.
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Campti Sam