Found on porch (click to enlarge)I was taking Alan to work this morning and we almost stepped on a snake! It was slithering across our front porch. Short on time, I grabbed my camera to identify him later.
He's a non-venomous Texas Rat Snake. Before I figured it out, I nearly identified him as a Western Diamondback Rattler! Which you can easily see how they can be mistook for one another so early in the morning!
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| Western Diamondback Rattle snake |
Rat Snake vs. Western Diamondback
At first glance, it's easy to confuse the two.
A few noticeable differences include:
Texas Rat Snake
- Round pupils
- Long, slender body
- Narrow head
- No rattle
- Excellent climber
- Non-venomous
Western Diamondback
- Thick body
- Distinct triangular head
- Heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils
- Black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle
- Venomous
If you cannot positively identify a snake, it's always safest to keep your distance.
What Should You Do If You Find One?
My advice is simple:
Leave it alone.
Most rat snakes are simply passing through while hunting rodents and will move on by themselves.
If one has entered your home or you aren't comfortable removing it safely, contact your local animal control or a licensed wildlife removal professional.
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| Texas Rat Snake |
Update (2026)
Looking back, I'm thankful I stopped long enough to grab my camera instead of reacting out of fear. At first glance, I was convinced it might be a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. After taking a closer look and identifying it, I realized it was a harmless Texas Rat Snake—one of the best snakes you can have around your home. It was a good reminder that not every snake is dangerous, and taking a few extra moments to identify one can make all the difference.
Why Texas Rat Snakes Are Good to Have Around
Although many people are startled by snakes, Texas Rat Snakes are actually one of a homeowner's best natural pest control helpers.
Their favorite foods include:
- Rats
- Mice
- Gophers
- Young squirrels
- Small birds
- Bird eggs
- Lizards
By keeping rodent populations under control, rat snakes help reduce damage to gardens, barns, sheds, and even homes. Fewer rodents also means fewer ticks and diseases that rodents can carry.
For homesteaders, gardeners, and anyone living in the country, a rat snake can be a valuable ally.
Excellent Climbers
One thing that surprises many people is that Texas Rat Snakes are outstanding climbers.
They can easily scale trees, fences, barns, and even brick walls while searching for rodents or bird nests. That's one reason they occasionally show up on porches, in garages, or tucked away in attics.
Seeing one above ground level often surprises homeowners, but climbing is perfectly normal behavior for this species.
Do They Bite?
Texas Rat Snakes are non-venomous.
Like any wild animal, they may bite if cornered or handled, but they almost always try to escape first.
When threatened they often:
- vibrate their tails in dry leaves (which can sound surprisingly similar to a rattlesnake)
- flatten their bodies
- release a foul-smelling musk
- attempt to flee
These behaviors are defensive and intended to scare away predators.
1 comment:
I can't stand snakes no matter what kind they are and we have our share of them in the backyard. Most of them are black and you can't tell if their cotton mouths until they open their mouth to bite and I'm not sticking around to see that happen :)
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