Texas Rat Snake

Elaphe obsolete lindheimeri

RANGE Mississippi basin, Louisiana and Texas

HABITAT Wooded and swampy areas to drier, rocky land

DIET Primarily mice and rats

The Texas rat snake's coloration varies greatly throughout its range. These non-venomous snakes are excellent climbers, able to scale trees in search of prey.

They are very aggressive when cornered or captured. They will raise the front part of the body above the ground and form an "S" shape, and will hold the mouth open, hiss, or strike.