The term "chicken snake" is often used to refer to a variety of species, including rat snakes and corn snakes. These harmless snakes are sometimes mistaken for venomous species and can cause panic among individuals who encounter them. Synonyms for the term "chicken snake" include black rat snake, gray rat snake, and Texas rat snake. In addition, other common names for these species include corn snake, red rat snake, and eastern rat snake. All of these snakes can be found throughout North America and are valuable members of ecosystems, as they help control populations of rodents and other small animals.