Like nearly all colubrids, rat snakes pose no threat to humans. (2008) accepted the taxonomic change to Pantherophis. They therefore suggested the resurrection of the available name Pantherophis Fitzinger for all North American taxa (north of Mexico). (2002) showed that North American rat snakes of the genus Elaphe, along with closely related genera such as Pituophis and Lampropeltis, form a monophyletic group separate from Old World members of the genus. Based on mitochondrial DNA, Utiger et al. In recent years, some taxonomic controversy has occurred over the genus of North American rat snakes. An authority's name not in parentheses indicates that the species is still assigned to the original genus in which it was described. Nota bene: In the above species lists, an authority's name in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a different genus. ramspotti (Crother, White, Savage, Eckstut, Graham & Gardner, 2011) (formerly Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata) from Florida New World rat snakes
For the purpose of this article, names will be harmonized with the TIGR Database.
Previously, most rat snakes were assigned to the genus Elaphe, but many have been since renamed following mitochondrial DNA analysis performed in 2002. Rat snakes were long believed to be completely nonvenomous, but recent studies have shown that some Old World species do possess small amounts of venom, though the amount is negligible relative to humans. As with all snakes, they can be defensive when approached too closely, handled, or restrained, but bites are not serious. Many species make attractive and docile pets and one, the corn snake, is one of the most popular reptile pets in the world. They are medium to large constrictors and are found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. Rat snakes are members – along with kingsnakes, milk snakes, vine snakes and indigo snakes – of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae.