What is Rat snake?
{{Taxobox | name = Rat Snake | image = Zamenis longissimus.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = An Aesculapian Snake, ''Zamenis longissimus'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | subphylum = [[vertebrata]] | classis = [[Reptilia]] | subclassis = [[Diapsida]] | infraclassis = [[Lepidosauromorpha]] | superordo = [[Lepidosauria]] | ordo = [[Squamata]] | infraordo = [[Serpentes]] | familia = [[Colubridae]] | genus = Various }} '''Rat snakes''' are medium to large snakes that can be found mostly in the [[holarctic|northern hemisphere]]. They feed primarily on [[rodent]]s and [[bird]]s and, with some species being over 3 m (10 feet), they are on the top levels of some [[food chain]]s. Many species make [[wikt:attractive|attractive]] [[pet]]s and one, the [[corn snake]], is one of the most popular [[reptile pet]]s in the world. Other species can be very [[sensitive]] and sometimes [[aggression|aggressive]], but the bites are not dangerous. Rat snakes were long thought to be completely [[Venom (poison)|nonvenomous]], but recent studies have shown that some do have harmlessly small amounts of venom in them.<ref name=ratsnake>{{cite web |url=http://www.ratsnake.org/ |title=Rat Snake - aggressivity, life-cycle, predation, diet, bites, hibernation and pictures |first= |work=ratsnake.org |year=2011 |accessdate=11 December 2011 |archive-date=27 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027115459/http://www.ratsnake.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> When frightened, rat snakes may [[wikt:freeze|freeze]], which is why a lot has been killed in [[traffic]].<ref name=ratsnake/> Their diet consists of rodents, birds, and eggs. They adapt their diet according to availability and sometimes eat lizards, frogs, and other small mammals.<ref>{{Cite web|last=curie|first=Marie|date=2024-07-27|title=The Comprehensive Guide To Texas Rat Snake: Everything You Know|url=https://snakesworld.info/the-comprehensive-guide-to-texas-rat-snake/|access-date=2024-08-23|website=SNAKES WORLD|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{