Pantherophis

Corn Snake ( Pantherophis guttatis )

The American rat snakes ( Pantherophis ) (from gr = Panthera Leopard and ophis = snake) is a genus of North American snakes of the family of snakes ( Colubridae ).

Description and behavior

The species of the genus Pantherophis characterized by a slender physique with only slightly contrasting head. You can reach body lengths between 100 cm and 250 cm. Many species are pronounced culture follower, and consequently often found near human settlements, in addition, some species are very active climbers and can also be found in trees sometimes what the genre brought the German trivial name. All species of the genus multiply oviparous and operate no brood care.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution of the genus extends over large parts of the U.S. and Mexico. The inhabited by different types of habitats ranging from summer moist deciduous and coniferous forests across the plains to rocky altitudes over 2500 m above sea level.

System

In 2002, the hitherto valid genus of rat snakes (Elaphe ) was divided by depth scientific testing in several classes. The genus Pantherophis described in 1843 was re- introduced for this purpose. This change is widely accepted.

Again in 2008 there was a change in the schedule lines by Collins & Taggart. The Erdnattern were placed in the genus Scotophis and fox snakes in the new genus Mintonius. The genus Pantherophis would consist only of the three Corn Snake Pantherophis guttatus species, Pantherophis Pantherophis emoryi and slowinksii. This change, however, is controversial, since they would obscure the relationship with the Erdnattern and the fox snakes. Pyrone et al. not accept this classification. Accordingly, the types of Erdnattern and fox snakes will continue to be assigned to the genus Pantherophis:

Group of Corn Snakes

• Prairie Corn Snake ( Pantherophis emoryi )
• Corn Snake ( Pantherophis guttatus )
• Slowinski 's corn snake ( Pantherophis slowinskii )

Group of Erdnattern

• Pantherophis bairdi
• Pantherophis alleghaniensis
• Pantherophis spiloides
• Pantherophis obsoletus

Group of fox snakes

• Pantherophis vulpinus
• Pantherophis ramspotti

The most closely related genus of Pantherophis is Pituophis.