Does anyone know of a precise, verifiable definition for the term "cribo"? And, why is it used to refer to Drymarchon and Spilotes? My own searching has turned up little besides literary references to cribo being synonomous with "chicken eater", and also cribo being one of many forms of saying "to sort, separate, select", or in some uses, to "strain, as through a strainer".

How did that term come to be attached to our favorite snakes?

I couldn't come up with anything that directly related to why they are called Cribos. The best I could find was the word has it's root in the Spanish cribar which as you pointed out has to do with screening, sieving, separating sorting etc.
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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
0.3 P. c. sayi Kingsville X Stillwater red bulls
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 D. corais Yellowtail Cribos
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards

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