Subspecific variation in Rat Snakes (Elaphe obsoleta)

Subspecies are recognized on the basis of colour and banding polymorphism. The subspecies are largely allopatric [geographically disjunct] but interbreed in areas of overlap. Starting at the top and proceeding clockwise: E. o. obsoleta is black, guadrivittata is yellow, rossalleni is orange, spiloides & lindheimeri are different shades of brown. (Futuyma 1998 after Conant 1958)