The belly is pale yellow-orange. The tongue and iris are orange. The scales are weakly keeled , and there are 27 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Kenneth L. Krysko photo.
Juveniles are grayish with a pinkish hue and gray blotches.
In Florida, it is found in the Everglades region from Lake Okeechobee south to the tip of the peninsula and into the upper keys. Adults of these intergrade specimens may be yellow-orange with faint blotches . This subspecies is not found outside of Florida. Commonly found near pinelands, hardwood hammocks, swamps, marshes, prairies, agricultural fields, and residential areas. The Everglades rat snake is primarily active at night.