What is he?

[Bogertophis]

Thanks for all the help. I assumed he was a species of rat snake about a month after I got him but because his back didn’t look like the rat snakes where I live, I thought he was a corn snake because the markings on his back look similar.

Pretty good guess...& it's confusing because (just as corn snakes do) this family of rat snakes (gray, black, yellow) mostly look different as hatchlings, then grow into their adult colors. At some point, it would be helpful to know the gender of your snake...you might try to ask a local vet (that knows snakes) or a breeder. I say this because the gender helps determine how big this snake will grow, so you can plan for "his" adult sized cage. Many sources mostly say 4'-6' for these, but with my Florida rat snakes, the males are about 7' long at age 11+ years, while the females are only about 5' long (same age). This is due in large part because the females keep trying to reproduce, even though never bred; every summer they lay double-clutches of infertile eggs, up to 27 in the first clutch, then a somewhat smaller 2nd clutch, all of which keeps their appetite revved up but their bodies smaller, since much of their nutrition goes into the eggs. Silly girls!!! Not all female rat snakes do this however, & no way to predict either. I truly wish mine would knock it off! They're trying to cover the planet with their offspring.