Types of Rat Snakes Kept as a Pet

A rat snake is a very common beginner snake for exotic pet owners. Most rat snakes have a body shape and color pattern that provides superior camouflage making rat snakes very difficult to see in the wild. Most rat snakes are extremely illusive and are only active at night. In a natural environment a rat snake will eat a wide variety of birds, rats, mice, frogs, toads, lizards, and insects, but in captivity rat snakes are fed mice and rats which are sufficient. It is best to research the exact type of rat snake being raised to provide proper diet, housing, and over-all care needs. The following sections discuss the various types of rat snakes that are kept as a pet including the location they are found, and the average size.
The information below is based on statistics from captive born and raised rat snakes. Many types of rat snakes that are captured and removed from the wild, especially larger older snakes do not become tame or eat in captivity.

Baird’s Rat Snake

The Baird’s rat snake is found in Central, Southern, and Western Texas and grows to a length of three to five feet long.

Baja Rat Snake

The Baja rat snake is primarily found in Southern and Baja California and grows to a length of four to six feet long.

Beauty Rat Snake

The Beauty rat snake is found in numerous provinces throughout Asia and grows to a length of five to eight feet long.

Bella Rat Snake

The Bella rat snake is found in China, North Burma, and North Vietnam and grows to a length of two to three feet long.

Corn Rat snake

The Corn rat snake is widespread found in the Southeast and Central portion of the United States and grows to a length of four to six feet long.

Everglades Rat Snake

The Everglades rat snake is found in South Florida and grows to a length of four to seven feet long.

Gray Rat Snake

The Gray rat snake is found in the Eastern and Southern portions of the United States and grows to a length of three to six feet long.

Great Plains Rat Snake

The Great Plains rat snake is found in Northern Mexico and numerous parts of the United States including Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Texas, and Utah and grows to a length of two to six feet long.

Green Rat Snake

The Green rat snake is found in Southeast Arizona, Southwest New Mexico, and Northern Mexico and grows to a length of three to five feet long.

Green Bush Rat Snake

The Green Bush rat snake is found in Burma, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam and grows to a length of three to four feet long.

Japanese Rat Snake

The Japanese rat snake is found in Japan and grows to a length of four to seven feet long.

Japanese Forest Rat Snake

The Japanese Forest rat snake is found in Japan and grows to a length of two to four feet long.

Mandarin Rat Snake

The Mandarin rat Snake is found in the mountains and forests of Burma, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam and grows to a length of three to six feet long.

Mexican Night Rat Snake

The Mexican Night rat snake is found in Mexico and grows to a length of four to five feet long.

Radiated Rat Snake

The Radiated rat snake is a wide-spread snake found in numerous parts of Asia including Indonesia and grows to a length of five to six feet long.

Rhino Rat Snake

The Rhino rat snake is found in South China and North Vietnam and grows to a length of three to four feet long.

Trans Pecos Rat Snake

The Trans Pecos rat snake is found in desert areas of Texas and Mexico and grows to a length of three to four feet long.

Trinket Rat Snake

The Trinket rat snake is found in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and grows to a length of three to six feet long.

Twins Spotted Rat Snake

The Twins Spotted rat snake is found throughout numerous provinces of China and grows to a length of one to three feet long.

Yellow Rat Snake

The Yellow rat snake is found in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida and grows to a length of four to seven feet long.