Gray Ratsnake
Pantherophis spiloides
(formerly Elaphe spiloides)
Description: COMING SOON
Habitat:
Life History:
Range: Statewide
Additional Notes: Sometimes also referred to as a ‘chicken snake’ for their habit of entering chicken coops to feed on the eggs and chicks.
Behavior: When confronted, this snake may assume a strike stance and rapidly vibrate its tail. This species is a very good climber and will raid bird houses and nests of eggs and chicks.
Subspecies Occurring in Tennessee: None
Distribution of the Gray Ratsnake in Tennessee
Map by Susan Marden, TWRA, GIS Lab
