A striking medium-sized snake with bright orange-red blotches outlined in black on an orange-tan background. Excellent climbers that hunt rodents and birds in trees. Heavily kept as pets, calm and harmless.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The corn snake, sometimes called red rat snake is a species of North American rat snake in the family Colubridae. The species subdues its small prey by constriction. It is found throughout the southeastern and central United States. Though superficially resembling the venomous copperhead and often killed as a result of this mistaken identity, the corn snake lacks functional venom and is harmless. The corn snake is beneficial to humans because it helps control populations of wild rodent pests that damage crops and spread disease.
Source: Wikipedia — Corn snake Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium-sized slender snake with bright orange to red-orange body marked with large dark-bordered red blotches; checkered black-and-white belly; smooth scales.
Similar species. Rat Snakes (longer, different patterns). Copperhead (venomous; hourglass-shaped bands; very different belly pattern). Milk Snake (different banding).
Voice. Hisses defensively; sometimes vibrates tail when alarmed.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Rodents (mice, rats, voles), small birds, bird eggs, occasional lizards or amphibians. Kills by constriction.
Behavior. Among the most popular pet snakes in the world due to manageable size, calm temperament, and willingness to feed in captivity. Wild populations remain common across the southeastern US. Frequently found around old buildings, barns, and grain storage areas where rodent prey is abundant. Active mostly at dusk and night in warm months. Excellent climber; sometimes encountered in trees and rafters.
§ Range
Southeastern US from New Jersey to Florida
§ Habitat
Pine woodlands, hardwood forests, fields, suburban edges
§ Threats
Persecution despite being harmless, vehicle strikes, habitat loss, pet-trade collection.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern corn snake is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Don't kill non-venomous snakes. Tolerate corn snakes in sheds — they control rodents. Buy captive-bred only.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Corn snake
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Pantherophis guttatus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 63862
- iNaturalist · taxon 29553
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Pantherophis guttatus
§ Sources cited
- Davidson College Department of Biology
- National Park Service
- Virginia Herpetological Society
- IUCN Red List 2007
