Black Ratsnakes are often confused with Northern Black Racers (Coluber c. constrictor), Black Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis g. nigra), Cornsnakes (Elaphe g. guttata), Eastern Milksnakes (Lampropeltis t. triangulum), ...
Black ratsnake
Elaphe obsoleta (obsoleta)
Rat snakes are passive and prefer to avoid confrontation. If confronted by danger they will most likely freeze rather than strike.
black ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta)
bog (= Muhlenberg) turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii)
broadhead skink (Eumeces laticeps)
brown water snake (Nerodia taxispilota)
canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) ...
(M. pennanti), other weasels (Mustela), skunks (Mephitidae), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), northern raccoons (Procyon lotor), American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), common ravens (C. corax), black racers (Coluber constrictor), and black ratsnakes ...
Furthermore, the populations in southwestern Ontario that used to be known as black ratsnakes are now assigned to the gray ratsnake-also called midland ratsnake-(Pantherophis spiloides), ...
There are at least two allele groups that are incompatible. When bred you get normal looking double het for both types of albinism. A normal black ratsnake is blotched as a baby and turns solid color as it gets older.
It is also found in the Baraboo Hills in Sauk County. Few data are available on its status in the state. Recent studies have re-assigned Wisconsin populations from the Black Ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta) to the Gray Ratsnake (Elaphe spiloides).
 See also: Ratsnake, Black rat, Reptile, Lizard, Rattlesnake
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