Gray ratsnake
A species of Rat snakes, Also known as Chicken snake, Pilot black snake Scientific name : Pantherophis spiloides Genus : Rat snakes
Gray ratsnake, A species of Rat snakes
Also known as:
Chicken snake, Pilot black snake
Scientific name: Pantherophis spiloides
Genus: Rat snakes
Content
Description General Info
Photo By smpbiologist-rcurtis , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The gray ratsnake or gray rat snake (Pantherophis spiloides), also commonly known as the central ratsnake, chicken snake, midlands ratsnake, or pilot black snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the genus Pantherophis in the subfamily Colubrinae. The gray ratsnake is one of about ten species within the Pantherophis genus of American rat snakes.
General Info
Lifespan
12-20 years
Diet
Gray ratsnake primarily consumes an array of small rodents as its staple food. This species displays specific preference for mice and young rats, displaying its opportunistic feeding behavior within its natural habitat.
Appearance
Gray ratsnake is a medium-sized snake, slender-bodied with smooth scales. Muted in color, it primarily exhibits a grey or brown background sprinkled by darker brown or black blotches clustered down the length of its body. The belly often presents a checkerboard-like pattern. Neither age nor gender significantly alters this visual presentation, giving the species a consistent design.
Behavior
Gray ratsnake is predominantly nocturnal, mainly active at dusk and dawn. It is a skilled climber and swimmer, foraging for a diet composed of small mammals and birds. The species exhibits solitary behavior, coming together only for breeding. Using scent, gray ratsnake marks its territory to communicate with other snakes. Like many temperate-zone snakes, it undergoes a hibernation-like state during winter.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Colubrids Genus
Rat snakes Species
Gray ratsnake 
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