Rat Snake Emory\'s basic information

Adult Emory's Rat Snakes average between 24 and 48 inches in length, thought they can reach over five feet in length. They appear in a variety of subspecies, with distinct colorations, both in the wild and in captivity. The most common Emory's Rat Snake is quite similar to the Cornsnake in appearance. They have gray skin with between 27 and 73 dorsal markings, and an equal amount of lateral markings. The markings vary greatly in shape and color, ranging between gray and dark brown or olive. Some individuals may be entirely lacking a pattern. The head has a spear point, similar to that of the Cornsnake. Markings on the head are often difficult to see. The intermontana subspecies of Emory's Rat Snake is characterized as being smaller with more dorsal blotches, generally oval. The intermontana variety can be found between Utah and western Colorado. The meahllmorum variety, found in South Texas and Mexico, generally have fewer dorsal blotches. It is very close in appearance to the regular Emory's Rat Snake. Chocolate Emory's Rat Snakes have a recessive gene that results in brown skin. The Chocolate Emory's Rat Snake is commonly bred in captivity, as are a variety of other colorations. One of these is the Amelanistic variety, which is white or very pale with yellow or yellow-orange blotches. The Striped Emory's Rat Snake is also available, on which the dorsal markings are fused into stripes.