ANIMAL: Gray Ratsnake Pantherophis spiloides Type of Animal: Colubrid Habitat: Mixed deciduous-pine forest, deciduous forest/woodland, pine forest/woodland, areas where forests/woodlands & farmland intermix, hardwood forest/woodland, oak forest, farmland, fields/field edges, barns, areas near streams, stream valleys, ponds, marshland, suburban areas, developed areas, old houses, woodpiles, pinelands, hardwood hammocks, cypress stands, swamps, prairies, sheds, bedrock outcrops, savanna, residential areas, open bog edges adjacent to deciduous forest/woodland, outbuildings, abandoned buildings, old foundations, trash dumps, rocky hillsides, forest edges, grassland, wetlands, pine-oak forest/woodland, rocky outcrops in woodland, rock crevices, old-growth pastures, caves, underground dens, attics, mountainous forest Location(s): Found in E & E.C US as well as SE Ontario Appearance: Thick-bodied, solid black to grayish snake to gray-brown w/ dark blotches, juveniles light gray w/ dark blotches, whitish chin/throat, dark checkerboard patterned belly towards tail, solid black more prevalent in N part of range, gray to brown blotchiness more prevalent in S part of range Food/Diet: Small mammals, birds, eggs, birds, lizards, amphibians, insects, small snakes, Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos, herpetoculture, & wildlife centers Lifestyle: Solitary or groups of up to 60 snakes Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young: Snakelet Group: Den Weight: Male: 2-2.2 lbs Female: 1.5-1.6 lbs Gestation: 2 months Life Span: 10-15 years in wild, 20-30 years in captivity Body Length: Male: 6 ft Female: 4.5 ft Young: 2.5 ft Tail Length: Male: 0.84-1.14 ft Female: 0.63-0.86 ft Main predators of adults are raptors, canids, bears, alligators, felids, snapping turtles, otters, pigs, raccoons, fisher, mink, & larger snakes. Skunks, other snakes, & crows prey on juveniles. They hibernate in winter, often w/ other snake species (including rattlesnakes & copperheads). Sometimes interbreed w/ related rat snake species. These snakes nonvenomous, killing prey by constriction. They're excellent climbers. Clutches range from 5-30 eggs. Some females may lay 2 clutches in a year. Fun Fact(s): Sometimes called "chicken snake" due to habit of sometimes eating chicks/eggs/young adult chickens. Also called Pilot snake/Black Pilot Snake due to superstition that it led venomous snakes to hibernation den. Often, they'll release foul-smelling musk on predators/threats. They'll often freeze & stay motionless if provoked.
