Yeah, unless you have experience looking at several diffent species, using color and patterns can be confusing. Unfortunately, the only way to be sure is to use key scalation features like Sonya suggested. However, some folks have no desire to capture and study the scales on snakes even if they appreciate the animals for what they are LOL!! Some other general keys to use is the fact ratsnakes are shaped like a loaf of bread cross sectionally, while kings and milks are more cylindrical. The ratsnakes need the flat bellies to help them climb, while the kings and milks are more round to help them live underground. Ratsnakes generally have heads more distinct from their necks than kings and milks as well. Please note, these are generalities and not hard and true all the time.

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