Need ID on snake -- funny photo!

[SnakeNutt]

A friend sent this photo to me this morning -- spotted this "little piggy" in a bush near this house. Location -- Franklin, Tennessee. I'm guessing the snake had just found a new food source and had stuffed itself (that, or it's very gravid!). Does anyone know what kind of snake this is?

 

[mbdorfer]

Looks like a yellow rat snake

 

[Jynx]

I 2nd that. Looks like my Cleo

 

[DAND]

Yep, looks like a yellow rat that is destined to puke very shortly. uke01:

 

[CrazyCorn]

Actually it is a Greenish Ratsnake, an intergrade between yellow rats and black rats.

 

[Joejr14]

Looks like a yellow ratsnake to me---one that thought a squirrel looked appetizing.

 

[Jason B.]

Actually it is a Greenish Ratsnake, an intergrade between yellow rats and black rats.

I agree looks like a greenish. Squirrel is the first thing that came to mind for me also. Awesome picture.

 

[cornsnakekid92]

i think tht it is just a dark yellow rat

 

[Chip]

I also vote "greenish" intergrade. But it's still considered "quadrivitta" or whatever the subspecies name for yellow is, so everyone is right. Unless that has changed since I picked up a field guide!
What a stuffed snake! And I ever worry about stepping hatchlings up to fuzzies!?!

 

[CrazyCorn]

The latin name I have seen for this intergrade has been Pantherophis obsoleta spp.

 

[Chip]

Ignore me. I still say elaphae and read textbooks from the 60's.

 

[SnakeAround]

I think ssp means 'subspecies not yet clear' so that does cover the situation here *grin*

 

[mbdorfer]

Confused

I thought Pantherophis was guttata and emoryi, have they changed obsoleta to Pantherophis as well? :shrugs:

 

[CrazyCorn]

I still like Elaphe, all ratsnakes are still Elaphe to me, I just thought I would post the PC form.