Classification and distribution questions

[SerpentSteve]

Ok so I'm fairly confused on some ratsnake classifications. I have a current list of North American snake classifications and the Western rat snake (obsoletus) and Eastern rat (alleghaniensis) are listed but with no subspecies. The reason I am confused is because the Everglades rat used to be listed as an obsoletus subspecies, and now it isn't and I'm unsure of which species it belongs to. Also, its very unclear from online research if either one or both species are native to Georgia, which would make them illegal. So I've been trying to figure out if I can legally keep Everglades rats here or not but it's proven to be very difficult to determine.

[FWK]

Good luck with this one man. Rat Snakes are constantly shuffled around and reclassified. I usually just stick to the common name in the area they are found, for example I have Texas Rats Snakes in my neck of the woods but they are currently under the Western Rat Snake umbrella (P. obsoletus). To add to your confusion check out this site (http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-snakes/list/pantherophis-alleghaniensis/) that lists the names under which Everglades Rats/Yellows/Easterns have been described. Currently they are all under the Eastern umbrella (P. alleghaniensis) so odds are they'd be considered illegal in Georgia. There is even some debate that Easterns (P. alleghaniensis) are actually just a subspecies of Westerns (P. obsoletus). Personally I think most North American Rat Snakes (Black, Yellow, Gray, Everglades, Texas, Baird's, Foxsnakes) all are subspecies of the same species, with Corn Snakes being in a different Genus (and Emory's Rat Snakes being a subspecies of Corn Snakes). Trans-Pecos Rat Snakes should be in a different Genus as well (as they currently are). But my understanding of taxonomy is elementary at best.

By the way I think the states who employ what has been described as the “precautionary principle” (precautionary principle basically says that if there is not enough evidence to support an action said action should be outlawed just to be on the safe side) in regards to herps are actually hurting the herps in the long run. Had I not been able to keep Green Anoles or play with snakes I found in my back yard as a kid I don't know if I would have developed the love of reptiles I have now, and most of my collection now is focused on native Texas Species. If people are not allowed to interact with native species how can they learn to appreciate them?

[eminart]

I've tried recently to figure out the rat snake taxonomy, but it's very difficult to know if what you're reading online is up-to-date and accurate. So, I've given up. If anyone finds a comprehensive, accurate site, feel free to post it. I've basically been doing what FWK said - I call them black, gray, etc. rat snakes.