Bottom line...common names are not scientific names...and common names are often not invented by herpetologists who understand the animals' habits etc. That's why we have binomial nomenclature.

And the surname ratsnake refers more to a Colubrid's body shape and size than it does a diet. Or a phylogenetic tree, for that matter...

And Toby, both Bogertophis and Senticolis have been found in trees, bushes, and in stuff like acacia. But, you're right -- it isn't very common (and usually there isn't a tree in sight where subocs are found anyway). If they were named for their habits, Bogeys would be called Desert Rock-dwelling Snakes and Green Rats would be called Beneath-Boulder Snakes.

DR
Suboc.com

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