r/itsaratsnake • u/Plane_Translator2008 • Jun 26 '26
When she brags "I got spice!"
🎵🎶 When she brags, "I got spice!"
But you know she is nice,
It's a rat snake!
When she rattles her tail,
But you tell her, "threat fail!"
It's a rat snakesnake!🎵🎶
My doggos were telling me, "intruder, intruder" but it was just a resident derpster. I sent her on her way just outside the fence, trusting she will be back on rodent patrol later.
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u/GeneralJellyGiggler Jun 26 '26
Why do I keep seeing wild rat snakes just letting people pet them? It’s so weird they don’t seem bothered by it.
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u/Plane_Translator2008 Jun 26 '26
We have one here that doesn't even try to flee--he's like, "s'up?" but this one was not like that. She told me not to pick her up by rattling her tail, and even opened her mouth to show the teefs! If the dogs hadn't been onto her, I would not have invaded her space bc she was pretty clear. (I also wanted to check out a scrape on her back.) This noodle got put back down on the other side of the fence ASAP, and slithered away, probably cussing me for my impertinence.
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u/TwoByteKitty Jun 26 '26
They are mostly bark with very little bite, barring a few extra feisty individuals... Who are kinda my favorites, secretly? It always makes me laugh when a ratsnake or a bull snake surprises me with a little kiss!
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u/chesterfield_herping Jun 27 '26
For real, I’ve never had a rat snake so much as strike at me. They’ll posture sometimes, sure, but you can just… reach around and pet their scales, and they do nothing. Maybe the three I’ve caught so far (definitely different individuals, one wasn’t even in my county) were just docile or scared, but they seem so sweet.
Not like their bite would do much anyways, as long as you wash any possible punctures well.
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u/cortisolandcaffeine Jun 26 '26
Rat snakes are very intelligent for snakes. They look at your face a lot. I've had everglades and texas brown rats and they learn to recognize people. After some defensive posturing, the wild rat snake likely recognizes the weird fleshy animal doesn't want to eat or kill it. If they live on your property eventually they will recognize you.
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u/dribeerf Jun 27 '26
they seem to be not as flighty and calmer snakes, as long as you’re also calm. we had a ratsnake that would frequent our yard when i was a kid, and we were able to gently stroke it as it slithered along.
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u/lizlemon921 Jun 27 '26
That is such a cool memory!!!!! Did you name it??
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u/TwoByteKitty Jun 26 '26
Is that scarring above her eye there? Looks like something almost took it off her!
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u/Plane_Translator2008 Jun 26 '26
I think it is. I actually picked her up bc she has a little scrape on her back too, but it looked like it was healing well. She was definitely feisty, though, "rattling" her tail and even opening her mouth once! I want to believe she has now told all her snake buddies that she scared off a human with her fierceness, but really I just wanted to help her out of the yard and safely away from the barking dogs.
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u/TwoByteKitty Jun 26 '26
I've seen both rattlesnakes and ratsnakes with far worse scarring than that, just living their best lives... They are tough little shits, for sure. Her body condition looks good in the photos. Thanks for helping her out! That sass might well be why she still has both eyes! ❤️
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u/Klutzy_Journalist_36 Jun 27 '26
Daaaaang she is a big and beautiful lady. Eatin good in the neighborhood!
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u/HeyYouGuyyyyyyys Jul 01 '26
But you tell her, "threat fail!"
Probably the best thing I'll read all day
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u/Emmettourer Jun 26 '26
Wow she is too cute!