Is this a Rat Snake?

Well, this is an interesting story. The cats were very, VERY interested in something outdoors. I went to take a look, thinking it was a mouse, and I spy a thin little snake, scared out of his wits.

He was lunging slightly(which managed to set our cats on edge) and twitching his tail like he was trying to rattle it. (Though he's obviously not a rattlesnake..)

Not wanting him or the cats to get hurt, I grabbed him and pulled him inside. He's hanging out in a spare vivarium at the moment so he can calm down before we release him...unless my dad is serious about keeping him and naming it 'Rodrigo'.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...78964520_n.jpg

Now, here's where things get weird. My parents have lived in Kansas for years, but they haven't seen a snake like him. We spent some time looking and we're fairly certain he's some kind of rat snake, because of the shape of his head and the design on it. I figured that if I wanted answers, I should go to people who actually keep Colubrids. Me? I know bps and venomous snakes, so I'm out of my league.

I know it's a weird request, but maybe you can help enlighten this ball owner?

Looks like a normal ol' corn snake

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...TnkGrwSjLdREa2

Think so? Hmm...

He's also extremely long, but as you can see he's ridiculously slender, which made trying to match him up with pictures a nightmare...

We just want to make sure he's supposed to be in this area and he's not someone's escaped pet...

Looks like a corn to me as well. The patterns on the head are a little "busy" for a rat snake.

Although it could be a red rat snake which is another name for corn snake.

Looks like a nice looking snake though. :)

Thanks, everyone. Very late update, I know.
We didn't keep him, as precious, healthy and well-behaved as he was...and as much as he seemed to enjoy his 'resort stay'. He got a drink, washed the dust and cat fur off of himself and explored the little enclosure for awhile, but it looked like he was itching to get back out and finish that hunt. We took him back out near the wood pile(far away from the cats, of course) and as soon as we set him back in the grass he was hot on the trail of some unfortunate little snack.

We sometimes get mice that are dumb enough to enter the cat condo, so I assume he was stalking and didn't expect to see the cats there.

I guess we're not just a halfway house for stray cats anymore.