Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: P. guttatus
Southeastern and central regions of the United States, ranging from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Louisiana and parts of Kentucky.
Look up Corn Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: P. guttatus
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Faces threats primarily from habitat loss, agricultural development, and intentional killing due to fear or misconception.
Physical Description
Displays a pattern of reddish-orange or brownish blotches outlined in black along a lighter orange, grey, or brownish background. The underside features a distinct checkerboard pattern of black and white or yellow squares. The head is slightly wider than the neck, and scales are weakly keeled.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen pictured appears to be a juvenile, roughly 12 to 18 inches in length. Adult specimens typically reach lengths of 61 to 182 cm (24 to 72 inches).
Habitat
Found in wooded groves, rocky hillsides, meadowlands, woodlots, and around abandoned or infrequently used buildings and barns. Prefers terrestrial microhabitats with cover.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily preys on rodents, small birds, and bats. Juveniles frequently consume lizards and tree frogs. Hunts as an active forager and dispatches prey via constriction.
Reproduction
Oviparous species. Females typically lay clutches of 10 to 30 eggs in rotting logs, stumps, or underground burrows during early summer, with incubation lasting approximately 60 to 65 days.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Faces threats primarily from habitat loss, agricultural development, and intentional killing due to fear or misconception.
Cultural Significance
Commonly encountered in agricultural settings where they provide significant ecological value by controlling rodent populations. One of the most popular and widely bred pet snakes in the world due to their diverse captive color mutations.
Notable Features
Known for their excellent climbing ability and complex color polymorphism in captive breeding, which has produced numerous morphs valued by reptile enthusiasts.