Corn Snake or Rat Snake
Pantherophis guttatus (or related Pantherophis species) • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: Pantherophis guttatus
Native to the southeastern and central regions of the United States, ranging from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Louisiana and parts of Texas.
Look up Corn Snake or Rat Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: Pantherophis guttatus
Conservation
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, with stable populations throughout most of its natural range, though local populations face threats from habitat fragmentation and road mortality.
Physical Description
The specimen shows brownish to greyish background coloration overlaid with darker brown or reddish blotches along the back and sides, creating a patterned saddle effect. The head has distinct markings, and the body appears slender.
Size & Dimensions
This individual appears to be a juvenile, likely between 20 to 40 cm in length. Adults typically reach lengths of 61 to 182 cm.
Habitat
Found in overgrown fields, forest openings, trees, and abandoned or agricultural buildings, typically in areas offering plenty of hiding spots and rodent prey.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily feeds on rodents, small birds, and lizards. They are active hunters that use constriction to subdue their prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous species that typically lays clutches of 10 to 30 eggs in decomposing vegetation, logs, or underground burrows during the summer months.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with other rat snakes within the genus Pantherophis or various ground snakes, distinguished primarily by belly scalation, specific head patterns, and dorsal blotch counts.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, with stable populations throughout most of its natural range, though local populations face threats from habitat fragmentation and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Often kept as a popular pet due to docile temperament and diverse morphs; in the wild, they play a crucial ecological role in controlling rodent populations.
Notable Features
Possesses a specialized scale structure adapted for semi-arboreal movement and efficient constriction capabilities.