Baird’s Rat Snake
Baird’s rat snake is a non-poisonous species of snake belonging to the colubrid family, found only in the southwestern United States and northeastern Mexico. The snake is more pleasant in temperament than other rat snake species.
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Subphylum | Vertebrata |
Class | Reptilia |
Order | Squamata |
Suborder | Serpentes |
Family | Colubridae |
Subfamily | Colubrinae |
Tribe | Lampropeltini |
Genus | Pantherophis |
Scientific Name | Pantherophis bairdi |
Other Names | Baird’s Pilot snake, Baird’s Coluber, Great Bend Rat Snake |
Length | 64 – 140 cm |
Color | Ground color is orange-yellow to bright yellow, or a dark salmon covered with four stripes running from the neck to the tail; gray to yellow belly that darkens near the tail |
Distribution | Western Texas (United States), northern Mexico |
Habitat | Semi-arid, rocky habitats |
Diet | Rodents, birds, lizards |
Hibernation Fact | May hibernate |
Venom Fact | Non-venomous |
Breeding Season | Early summer |
Mode of Reproduction | Oviparous (egg laying) |
Clutch Size | Up to 10 eggs |
Incubation Period | Around 3 months |
Reproductive Age | Male: 2 years of age Female: 3 years of age |
Average Lifespan | 8 to 12 years in captivity |
IUCN Conservation Status | Least Concern |