Colubridae
Central Ratsnake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
A closer look
Central Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) is native to 13 U.S. jurisdictions, including Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. This nonvenomous constrictor and capable climber is most often associated with woodland edges, farms, fields, rocky slopes, and human structures and typically feeds on rodents, birds, and eggs.
- Habitat
- Woodland edges, farms, fields, rocky slopes, and human structures
- On the menu
- Rodents, birds, and eggs
- Behavior
- A flexible hunter whose activity and escape behavior vary with habitat and temperature.
Not considered venomous to people. Observe without handling, and never corner or relocate a wild snake.
Safety & bite guidance ↗Where it is listed
A sense of place.
Checklist presence only. A highlighted state is not a local range boundary. Territory tiles are schematic.
State & territory checklist
About continuous range data
A verified habitat-model layer is not available for this species in this release. Earlier broad sketches connected jurisdiction locations; they did not show measured occurrence or USGS habitat predictions.
Use USGS distribution resources ↗ for available modeled habitat data.
Names, sources & image evidence
Also known as: No additional names recorded.
Taxonomy: provisional. Territory checklist entries may be provisional. Field descriptions include broad group-level natural-history summaries.
Research Grade iNaturalist observation 3257199 has exact taxon Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Conservation & local rules
Collection, possession, relocation, and protection rules vary by state and territory. Check the relevant wildlife agency before taking action. Leave wild snakes where they are.