After all, there are at least 14 common names for these creatures, all of which are based on ignorance. (Like the naming of Corn & Milk snakes, neither of which eat corn nor milk! Night Lizards are similarly misnamed; they are active during the day.)

For years, they were known as Pilot Snakes, based on the misconception that they piloted other snakes to hibernation dens. Actually, they are often the first species to leave dens in spring, and the last species to return in fall.

Shall we base the name on common diet? That would make them Mice & Bird Snakes, since a 1993 study of stomach contents of over two dozen snakes in VA showed that the most common food for these highly opportunistic snakes is:

mice & birds (over 32%, the highest percentage)
squirrels & chipmunks
all other rodents
lizards & frogs

Rats were not even specifically mentioned!

The scientific community has changed the scientific name at least twice since the 1800s, and still are not in agreement over the Elaphe vs. Pantherophis dispute. A further proposal in 2005 would name them based on regions - which I think if foolish.

They are Tree Snakes! They are the most arboreal of all North American snakes.

Are we Sushi People, just because a small portion of OUR diet is sushi?? Not! Any more than burgers & fries are the primary diet of Americans. We feed on grains and other meats more often.

I'd like to see less tolerance for Stupidity & Ignorance. We should halt repeating naming schemes based on ignorance.

What say FR, and other forum enthusiasts?

Ameron in Portland/Vancouver
1.0 Sonoran Black Kingsnake
0.1 Black Rat (Tree) Snake

[ Hide Replies ]

• Not Rat Snakes; They are Tree Snakes - Ameron, Tue Oct 28 23:36:06 2008
• RE: Not Rat Snakes; They are Tree Snakes - Evil_Hybrid, Wed Oct 29 10:10:21 2008
• Reply - Ameron, Wed Oct 29 10:41:37 2008
• RE: Reply - Elaphefan, Wed Oct 29 18:39:54 2008
• RE: Reply - draybar, Wed Oct 29 19:50:02 2008
• RE: Reply - Evil_Hybrid, Thu Oct 30 04:49:49 2008
• RE: Reply - Trolligans, Thu Oct 30 09:45:24 2008
• They are Tree Snakes? - jyohe, Wed Oct 29 20:33:29 2008
• timing........ - jyohe, Wed Oct 29 20:48:09 2008
• RE: They are Tree Snakes? - jhnscrg, Thu Oct 30 19:14:15 2008
• RE: Not Rat Snakes; They are Tree Snakes - tbrock, Wed Oct 29 21:47:45 2008
• Great Reply, Thanks - Ameron, Thu Oct 30 13:26:34 2008
• RE: Not Rat Snakes; They are Tree Snakes - dustyrhoads, Wed Oct 29 23:03:16 2008
• RE: Not Rat Snakes; They are Tree Snakes - tbrock, Thu Oct 30 06:55:20 2008
• common names' history - dustyrhoads, Wed Oct 29 23:13:36 2008
• Good Points, and Interesting - Ameron, Thu Oct 30 13:28:14 2008
• RE: Not Rat Snakes; They are Tree Snakes - tspuckler, Thu Oct 30 08:33:41 2008
• RE: Not Rat Snakes; They are Tree Snakes - jhnscrg, Thu Oct 30 19:10:44 2008
• Ground snakes - guttersnacks, Fri Oct 31 00:12:33 2008
• How Often Do You Hunt In Trees? - Ameron, Sat Nov 1 11:48:17 2008
• RE: How Often Do You Hunt In Trees? - draybar, Sat Nov 1 14:18:53 2008
• RE: How Often Do You Hunt In Trees? - draybar, Sat Nov 1 14:20:48 2008
• And Kingsnakes don't wear crowns.... - garweft, Sun Nov 2 14:40:28 2008
• RE: And Kingsnakes don't wear crowns.... - orangudan, Mon Nov 24 21:54:44 2008