Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus • Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae, Colubrinae, Pantherophis, P. guttatus
Southeastern and central regions of the United States, ranging from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Louisiana and parts of Tennessee.
Look up Corn Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae, Colubrinae, Pantherophis, P. guttatus
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, with stable populations across most of its natural range, though local populations face threats from habitat loss and road mortality.
Physical Description
Slender body with a patterned dorsal coloration featuring dark brownish-grey to reddish blotches bordered by dark outlines on a lighter grey or tan background. The head shows a characteristic spear-point or arrowhead marking, and the scales are weakly keeled.
Size & Dimensions
The visible specimen appears to be a juvenile, approximately 10 to 14 inches in length. Adults typically reach lengths of 61 to 182 cm (24 to 72 inches).
Habitat
Found in wooded groves, pine forests, agricultural fields, abandoned buildings, and around human habitations. Prefers areas with ample cover such as fallen logs, rocks, and bark.
Diet & Feeding
Juveniles feed primarily on small lizards, frogs, and large insects, while adults consume rodents, birds, and bats. They are active hunters and use constriction to subdue their prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous species. Females lay clutches of 10 to 30 eggs, usually in decaying vegetation, rotting logs, or underground burrows during the early summer months.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, with stable populations across most of its natural range, though local populations face threats from habitat loss and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Often kept as a popular pet due to extensive captive morph varieties. Plays an essential ecological role in controlling rodent populations.
Notable Features
Possesses a very adaptable nature and excellent climbing ability, and is one of the most frequently encountered snakes in suburban areas of the American Southeast.