Called the "Oak Snake" in some parts of the south. This Rat Snake retains the strongly blotched juvinile pattern throughout life, but there is much variation in its intensity. The ground color may be dark or medium gray in some specimens but pale brown or gray, sometimes almost white, in others. Blotches may be either brown or gray and varying from pale to very dark, but always in contrast with the lighter ground color. Scales weakly keeled; anal divided.