The same Metallic Rat Snake appears in both photos at different developmental stages:

Top photo - juvenile

The juvenile pattern on this Metallic Rat Snake is in the process of fading away. The dorso-lateral, adult striping is just beginning to develop and the metallic quality of the gray has become prominent.

Bottom photo - adult

Red/orange pigment continues to grow in as the animal ages. Most of the juvenile pattern is gone at this point but you can still make out ghostly remnants of pattern on top of the head. The dorso-lateral adult striping has become prominent. Some of the older Metallic Rat Snakes at Vivid Reptiles have grown into essentially red/orange snakes with smoky longitudinal striping.