Gray Ratsnake
Pantherophis spiloides
Adult length of 3-6 feet long, but has been known to grow up to 8 feet long. Grey in color with dark grey to black blotches across dorsal and ventral sides. Retain juveni…
How to identify
Adult length of 3-6 feet long, but has been known to grow up to 8 feet long. Grey in color with dark grey to black blotches across dorsal and ventral sides. Retain juvenile coloration & speckled pattern into adulthood.
Range
Found throughout the eastern half of the United States. Range extends north to New England and Michigan, south to the Gulf of Mexico, west to the Mississippi River and east to the Appalachian Mountains.
Habitat
Terrestrial. Found in a variety of habitats including forests, swamps, fields, and residential areas.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Genus
Pantherophis
Greek for panther snake (ophis).
Origin
Sources
- Fitzinger
Elaphe. Fitzinger
Species epithet
spiloides
Greek for similar to (-eidos) a blemish (spilos)
Origin
Sources
- (Dumeril, Bibron and Dumeril, 1854). Erpet. Gen., Vol. 7, Pt. 1, p. 269 ↗
Elaphe obsoleta spiloides. (Dumeril, Bibron and Dumeril, 1854) - Erpet. Gen., Vol. 7, Pt. 1, p. 269
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Found throughout the eastern half of the United States. Range extends north to New England and Michigan, south to the Gulf of…
Habitat
Terrestrial. Found in a variety of habitats including forests, swamps, fields, and residential areas.
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap