Red-sided Garter Snake vs Texas Rat Snake
How does the Red-sided Garter Snake compare to the Texas Rat Snake? They are both members of the Colubridae family. Below we put their classification, habitat, diet, size, and conservation status side by side — and settle who would win in a fight.


Side-by-side comparison
- Scientific name
- Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
- Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri
- Classification
- Reptile
- Reptile
- Family
- Colubridae
- Colubridae
- Habitat
- Grasslands, prairies, forest edges, and wetlands
- Forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and suburban regions
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Carnivore
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Least Concern
- Lifespan
- 4-6 years in the wild
- 10-15 years
- Weight
- 50-150 grams
- 0.5-2.0 kg
Red-sided Garter Snake vs Texas Rat Snake: who would win?

Red-sided Garter Snake
50-150 grams

Texas Rat Snake
0.5-2.0 kg
Texas Rat Snake wins high confidence
Texas Rat Snake is substantially heavier (0.5-2.0 kg vs 50-150 grams). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.
Similarities
- Both are reptiles.
- Both belong to the Colubridae family.
- Both have a carnivore diet.
- Both are listed as Least Concern.
Differences
- Habitat: Grasslands, prairies, forest edges, and wetlands vs Forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and suburban regions.
- Weight: 50-150 grams vs 0.5-2.0 kg.
Red-sided Garter Snake vs Texas Rat Snake: FAQ
Who would win in a fight, a Red-sided Garter Snake or a Texas Rat Snake?
Texas Rat Snake wins. Texas Rat Snake is substantially heavier (0.5-2.0 kg vs 50-150 grams). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.
What is the difference between a Red-sided Garter Snake and a Texas Rat Snake?
Red-sided Garter Snake and Texas Rat Snake differ in several ways — habitat: grasslands, prairies, forest edges, and wetlands vs forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and suburban regions. weight: 50-150 grams vs 0.5-2.0 kg.
Do Red-sided Garter Snake and Texas Rat Snake live in the same habitat?
No — Red-sided Garter Snake lives in grasslands, prairies, forest edges, and wetlands, while Texas Rat Snake is found in forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and suburban regions.
What do Red-sided Garter Snake and Texas Rat Snake eat?
Both Red-sided Garter Snake and Texas Rat Snake have a carnivore diet.
Which is more endangered, the Red-sided Garter Snake or the Texas Rat Snake?
Red-sided Garter Snake is listed as Least Concern, while Texas Rat Snake is listed as Least Concern.
How big are Red-sided Garter Snake and Texas Rat Snake?
Red-sided Garter Snake weighs around 50-150 grams, while Texas Rat Snake weighs around 0.5-2.0 kg.

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Red-sided Garter Snake

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Texas Rat Snake







