19+ Gray ratsnake information

Gray Ratsnake. This snake lives in rocky hillsides woodlands thickets old fields barnyards and farm land. They can commonly be found raiding chicken coops of eggs and found slithering in a open garage door. Sides unusually straight forming a sharp corner with the belly. Mouth chin and throat are white.

During summer time gray ratsnakes can be nocturnal moving at night time. The gray ratsnake or gray rat snake Pantherophis spiloides also known as the central ratsnake is a member of the genus Pantherophis in the subfamily Colubrinae. Most adult gray ratsnakes are about 42-72 inches 106-183 cm in total length. Gray Ratsnake Pantherophis spiloides is one of the largest snakes in Canada reaching a maximum snout-vent length of approximately 190 cm and a maximum length of 255 cm. A large snake 420 to 720 inches in length with a variable color pattern. Dorsal color is usually black spackled with bits of white between scales and having a light throat.

Gray ratsnake Fayette Co IL photo by CA.

This snake lives in rocky hillsides woodlands thickets old fields barnyards and farm land. During summer time gray ratsnakes can be nocturnal moving at night time. It moves slowly and may freeze in. Juveniles look similar to adults and to other juvenile ratsnakes. Dark bands run from each eye to the corners of the jaw and a dark bar may run across the forehead between the eyes. Juvenile distinctly marked with dark back and side blotches on a white or gray background. The gray ratsnake may be found in the southern two-thirds of Illinois. Sometimes also referred to as a chicken snake for their habit of entering chicken coops to feed on. The gray ratsnake Pantherophis spiloides is the largest snake in Canada and can grow to 25 metres in length. Back scales weakly keeled. Body mostly black or dark brown some have a blotched pattern.