Western Black Ratsnake

Other Names: Black Ratsnake, Pilot Blacksnake
Scientific Name: Pantherophis obsoleta
(Formerly: Elaphe obsolete)
Family: Colubridae

Description & Size

• Legless
• No eyelids
• Lacks external ears
• Scales on the back have low ridge in the middle (weakly keeled)
• Divided anal scale
• Total length: 100.0-256.5 cm (39.4-101.0 in)
• Back color: black
• Belly and chin color: white, may or may not have a dark checkerboard pattern on belly
• Juveniles: usually strongly blotched pattern on the back with light coloration in between

Life History

• Active season: Early April – mid-October
• Breeding season: May – July (Fitch, 1963)
• Lays eggs
• Around 10-12 eggs per female

Habitat

• Almost any habitat in their range
• Moist woodlands
• Rocky outcrops with woodland and/or grasslands near
• Rural buildings (barns, sheds, etc.)

Diet

• Birds
• Bird eggs
• Small mammals
• Reptiles
• Frogs