BASTROP, TX — A Texas rat snake was found hanging out at Buescher State Park in Bastrop.
Good news, it was a non-venomous snake.
Texas hosts four of the five U.S. families of snakes: the slender blind snakes, the advances snakes, the old world fixed front fang snakes and the new world pit vipers. Texas can claim no boas.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, Snakes are a natural and integral component of the ecosystem. As predators, they are invaluable for their role in maintaining the balance of nature by helping to keep populations of their prey in check.
Their prey consists of everything from earthworms to rabbits, and this includes other snakes. Snakes are especially important in the control of rodents. Bull snakes can be a farmer's best friend.
