Gray ratsnake
The gray ratsnake, gray rat snake or chicken snake (Pantherophis spiloides, formerly Elaphis spiloides) is a common large snake native to the Eastern United States and southeastern Canada. They are non-venomous and considered beneficial as they prey on rodent pests.
The species was formerly included in the genus "Elaphe", which includes European ratsnakes, but taxonomists using mitochondrial DNA have successfully argued for reclassification under the revived genus "Pantherophis", which includes corn snakes and other new world ratsnakes. Gray ratsnakes favor woodlands and edge habitats and reach higher populations densities in areas with both forest and farmland where rodents thrive.
Gray ratsnakes are among the larger native snakes, reaching adult lengths of 39 to 72 inches, and are recognizable for their strong pattern of dark gray blotches on a lighter gray or tawny background. The ventral scales are usually lighter, grading from nearly white at the throat to darker at the tail with variable patterning. Unlike many snakes, ratsnake's patterning does not fade in maturity. The scales are weakly keeled and moderately dull in sheen. Gray ratsnakes will breed with black (eastern) ratsnakes and other related species producing variably-colored hybrids.
Ratsnakes are very capable climbers and readily climb trees and even walls. During periods of inactivity they burrow into existing holes in the ground, bury themselves in leaf litter, or seek out hollows and crevices in trees. They are also commonly found in wood piles or among the rafters of barns and sheds when prey is abundant. Their ability to climb trees may help them escape the fate of other large snakes commonly killed by humans, but humans are still the greatest threat to the species. Their eggs are vulnerable to scavengers and aggressive insect predators.
Ratsnakes are inactive in winter, nocturnal in the summer and diurnal in spring and fall, and are generally active for longer periods in warmer climates. They hunt by scent, feeding on rodents, birds, and eggs. They kill by constriction. Juvenile ratsnakes also hunt ectothermic prey like frogs and lizards. The snakes breed in late spring to mid summer, producing clutches of anywhere from 6 to 30 eggs which hatch in late summer. In warm years some snakes will breed twice in the season. Adult ratsnakes are reported to live to about 20 years in captivity.
If startled, ratsnakes typically try to conceal themselves by kinking their body and remaining motionless. If approached closely, a ratsnake may bluff a strike or even mimic a rattlesnake by vibrating its tail. If handled it may "musk" by expelling foul-smelling liquid from the cloaca. Bites from ratsnakes are not common.
See also
References
- Mount, Robert H. (1975) The Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama. Auburn, Alabama: Auburn Printing Co.
- Raines, Ben (May 18, 2016) "The rat snake, a constrictor of our very own." The Birmingham News
External links
- Gray Ratsnake at outdooralabama.com
- Gray Rat Snake at the Encyclopedia of Life