Pantherophis spiloides

Gray Ratsnake

Taxonomy:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Squamata
• Family: Colubridae
• Genus: Pantherophis
• Species: Pantherophis spiloides
• Binomial Name: Pantherophis spiloides

Common Names by Region:

• English: Gray Ratsnake, Central Ratsnake
• French: Couleuvre gris, Ratier gris
• Spanish: Culebra gris, Serpiente gris

Description:

• Appearance: Pantherophis spiloides is a non-venomous snake with a slender body and smooth scales.
• Coloration: Typically gray or brown with darker blotches along the back.
• Size: Adults can reach lengths of 4 to 6 feet.
• Behavior: Generally docile but may become defensive if threatened.
• Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, and farmland.

Known Range:

• Native Range: Southeastern United States, including states like Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Diet:

• Prey: Feeds primarily on rodents such as mice and rats.
• Hunting: Uses constriction to subdue prey before consuming it whole.

Breeding and Lifecycle:

• Mating: Breeding typically occurs in the spring.
• Gestation: Females lay clutches of eggs, usually in rotting logs or underground.
• Incubation: Eggs hatch after about 60 days, depending on temperature.
• Hatchlings: Juveniles are independent upon hatching and begin hunting small prey.