Texas Rat Snake

Texas Rat Snake, Elaphe obsoleta lindheimer

Often confused with the venomous Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin, Agkistrodon piscivorus, the Texas Rat Snake, Elaphe obsoleta lindheimer, sometimes called the Black Rat Snake, is a harmless non-venomous snake that can grow to impressive size. As the weather warms, more and more snakes are coming out of their dens to bask in the warm sun and  go hunting. Sadly, one of the first reactions many people have when they see a snake is to find a shovel and kill it. Whether or not snakes seem creepy, and whether or not it is actually venomous, it's always good to remind others that these creatures are the reason your carpet is not covered in mouse feces, why the large invasive Norway Rat isn't hiding in bed sheets. Snakes are one of the most important defenders for worse rat invasion to come. Next time a snake crosses your path, give him plenty of room and be on your way so that he may continue hunting that rat eating your pet's food.

This particular photo was taken only yesterday with a simple phone camera. He is the third snake in just four days that I've seen, but by far the largest. As crinkled as he looks in this photo, he straightened up just fine to enter the nearby tall grass. Don't forget that snakes are just as afraid of your presence as you might be of theirs.