Yellow Rat Snake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis quadrivittatus
A striking striped rat snake variant found in the Deep South, typically yellow or olive with four dark longitudinal stripes.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 1.2-1.8 m (4-6 ft)
- Range
- Southeastern United States, primarily Florida and coastal Georgia/South Carolina
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Overview
The yellow rat snake is a color form within the eastern rat snake complex, notable for its bright yellow to olive base color marked with four dark stripes running the length of the body. It thrives in the humid forests and wetland edges of the southeastern coastal plain.
A skilled climber, it frequently ascends trees and palmettos in search of birds, eggs, and rodents, and is a familiar sight in Florida's woodlands and suburban edges.
How to identify it
- Yellow, tan, or olive ground color
- Four dark longitudinal stripes running the length of the body
- White to cream chin and throat
- Loaf-shaped body cross-section; weakly keeled scales
- Round pupils
Habitat & range
Common in pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, swamp edges, and suburban areas of Florida and the coastal southeastern U.S. Frequently found in trees and on buildings.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal and highly arboreal, hunting birds, eggs, and rodents by constriction. Breeds in spring, laying eggs in decaying vegetation or hollow trees during early summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the yellow rat snake venomous?
No, it is a nonvenomous constrictor.
How is it different from a typical black rat snake?
It shows a striped yellow or olive pattern rather than solid black, reflecting a regional color variant.
Where is it most commonly found?
Primarily in Florida and the coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina.
Yellow Rat Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Yellow Rat Snake.
Yellow Rat Snake identified by the community
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