Posted by J Jo on September 13, 2006

Q: We found a baby snake in our yard this evening. We would like to know what species of snake we found. Here is some information:

1. about 10 inches long

2. pointed head

3. patterned (like a rattle snake...regular blotches...somewhat diamond shaped); looks to be three rows of diamonds (belly/side/top) and the diamonds get longer as they get to the head

4. black blotches/diamonds on grey skin

5. moves in the 'S' pattern

6. looks to have black strip over top of head from eye to eye

7. would shake it's tale mimicing a rattle

8. coils up to strike

It was found in a freshly cut lawn in a developed neighborhood in eastern Kansas.

Any information is greatly appreciated. BTW, we have tons of really good photos of the snake if needed.

Thanks!

State: Kansas

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: This looks like a young Great Plains Rat Snake, a fairly common snake in Kansas. Great Plains Rat Snake are harmless, and reach a maximum size of around 50 inches. They are readily identified by the "spear-point" pattern on the head formed by the convergence of two stripes running up the neck onto the head. They eat rodents and birds, and probably occasional bird eggs as well. In eastern Kansas they inhabit open rocky woodlands, woodland edges and prairies. Like many snakes, they will commonly rattle the tail when alarmed.

There is a related species — the Black Rat Snake, also common in Kansas — that looks *very* similar the the Great Plains Rat Snake when young. They turn black by about twenty inches in length. There is a small chance that the snake you found is a strongly patterned Black Rat. They tend not to have such a distinct "spear-point" on the head. Ecologically the two species are similar, but Black Rats are quite arboreal (they climb trees) and typically live in more heavily forested habitats.

I grew up in Lawrence, KS, and have seen many of both species on the outskirts of town. [link::101-1301::Here] is a photo of an adult Great Plains Rat Snake I found in the Flint Hills several years ago. Kansas is an excellent place for reptiles!

Hope this helps.

Solon Morse ( September 13, 2006)