Great Plains Ratsnake
Family:
Colubridae (nonvenomous snakes) in the order Squamata (lizards and snakes)
Description:
This member of the ratsnake group is seldom seen. It has numerous brown blotches along the body, a brown eye stripe and a spearpoint marking on top of the head.
Size:
Length: 24 to 36 inches (61-91 cm).
Habitat and conservation:
These snakes live in open, rocky, wooded hillsides, where they venture out at night to feed on rodents, bats and small birds. Like other ratsnakes, Great Plains ratsnakes vibrate their tails when alarmed and will bite to defend themselves, but the bite is harmless.
Foods:
Rodents, bats and small birds.
Distribution in Missouri:
Mainly wooded areas in the southern half of the state and along Missouri River counties, excluding southeastern counties.
Status:
The rather similar-looking prairie kingsnake is more commonly encountered in Missouri than the Great Plains ratsnake. The Great Plains ratsnake used to be classified as Elaphe guttata emoryi, but scientists have renamed it. Among nonscientists, this snake is also called "house snake," for its being commonly found in abandoned farm buildings. MDC's Mission, Vision, Priorities
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Shortened URL
http://mdc.mo.gov/node/6541
