The Yellow Ratsnake, Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata, lives from the coastal regions of North Carolina south along the coast through South Carolina and into central Georgia and through Florida down to Palm Beach, Hendry, and Lee counties. Specimens of intergrade status can be found as far south along the gulf coast of Florida as Hernando county. It is found in a variety of habitats including pine flatlands, slash pine scrub, coastal hardwood hammocks, oak hammocks, cypress dome swamps, and deciduous hardwoods. Yellow rats are commonly found around citrus groves, pasture lands, and old abandoned buildings. Yellow ratsnakes are both diurnal and nocturnal. they can be found on warm spring and summer nights crossing roads adn during the cooler months are occasionally found during the day sunning themselves along the edges of woods or on dirt roads. Although often found on the ground, they are agile climbers adn are commonly found in the rafters of old buildings. In general, yellow ratsnakes are aggressive and will defend themselves against an oncoming predator.
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