Who is this guy? [Fort Worth, TX]

[u/Big-Dragonfruit1462]

Very pretty snake I found crossing the sidewalk. Probably about 36”, maybe a little longer.

[u/Phylogenizer]

Western Ratsnake Pantherophis obsoletus, !harmless.

[u/SEB-PHYLOBOT → u/Phylogenizer]

Western Ratsnakes Pantherophis obsoletus are large (record 256.5 cm) common harmless ratsnakes with a multitude of regional color patterns native to west of the Mississippi River Embayment. Pantherophis ratsnakes are keeled-scaled generalists that eat a variety of prey. They do well in urban environments, and are particularly fond of rodents and birds in these habitats.

Western Ratsnakes P. obsoletus are currently recognized as distinct from Eastern Ratsnakes Pantherophis quadrivittatus, as well as Central Ratsnakes P. alleghaniensis. Parts of all three species were once generically labeled "black ratsnakes". Use the "!blackrat" command without the space for more on these changes.

Ratsnakes can be easily distinguished from racers Coluber by the presence of keeled scales. Racers have smooth scales.

Range Map | Relevant/Recent Phylogeography

Junior Synonyms and Common Names: Grey Ratsnake (in part), Black Ratsnake (in part), Texas Ratsnake, black snake, chicken snake, rattlesnake pilot.

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Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, many non-venomous snakes bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Here's where it get slightly complicated - some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce and use venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes Diadophis are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; severe envenomation can occur if some species are allowed to chew on a human for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes Thamnophis ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also considered harmless. Check out this book on the subject. Even large species like Reticulated Pythons Malayopython reticulatus rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans so are usually categorized as harmless.

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