Trans-pecos Ratsnake

Trans-pecos Ratsnake

Bogertophis subocularis

Silhouette: Alex Slavenko · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible
at Big Bend National Park
136 Verified sightings at Big Bend National Park From 2019 to 2026
140 Verified sightings across all 2 parks From 2019 to 2026
September Best month highest sighting rate
🌙 Nocturnal When it's spotted during nighttime hours (6pm–6am)

About the Trans-pecos Ratsnake

The Trans-Pecos rat snake or Davis Mountain rat snake (Bogertophis subocularis), is a species of medium to large, nonvenomous rat snake in the family Colubridae. Bogertophis subocularis is endemic to the Chihuahuan Desert.

The Trans-Pecos rat snake is found in the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, and Nuevo León, and its range extends northward into Texas and New Mexico in the United States. B. subocularis has a row of small scales (suboculars) between the lower border of the eye and the upper labials. Coloration is yellow to tan dorsally with a series of black, or dark brown, H-shaped markings. The eye is large and prominent, light-colored with a contrasting round black pupil. The tongue is pink. The dorsal scales are in 31-35 rows at midbody. The ventrals number 260-277; the subcaudals number 69-79.

Adults are usually 36-54 inches (90–137 cm) in total length (including tail). The record total length is 66 inches (168 cm). The Trans-Pecos rat snake's habitat consists of desert flats and brushy slopes, and rocky outcrops where it dens. B. subocularis feeds on small vertebrates. A nocturnal... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Big Bend National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~30%
2 Guadalupe Mountains National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Trans-pecos Ratsnake in Big Bend National Park?

About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Trans-pecos Ratsnake sighting in Big Bend National Park, based on 136 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Trans-pecos Ratsnake in Big Bend National Park?

September has the highest sighting rate for Trans-pecos Ratsnake in Big Bend National Park in our monthly data.

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