Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: P. guttatus
Southeastern United States, from southern New Jersey south through Florida and west to Louisiana and parts of Kentucky.
Look up Corn Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous; lacks fangs and venom glands.
Danger Level
Harmless; poses no threat to humans or pets. Generally docile and rarely bites unless severely provoked.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: P. guttatus
Conservation
IUCN Least Concern. Common throughout its range, though threatened by habitat loss and road mortality.
Physical Description
Slender body with a patterns of orange, tan, or gray-brown blotches outlined in black. The dorsal side often features a spear-shaped mark on the head. Round pupils and lightly keeled scales.
Size & Dimensions
Typically ranges from 61 to 182 cm (24 to 72 inches). This specimen appears to be an adult or sub-adult based on its proportions relative to the asphalt texture.
Habitat
Found in pine barrens, rocky hillsides, meadows, woodlots, and around abandoned agricultural buildings. Highly adaptable to terrestrial and semi-arboreal environments.
Behavior & Temperament
Crepuscular/Nocturnal. They are secretive, spending daytime under cover. When threatened, they may vibrate their tails to mimic a rattlesnake, but are generally calm.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily rodents, but also consumes birds, eggs, and occasionally amphibians. They are constrictors that actively forage for prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous. Females lay clutches of 10 to 30 eggs in late spring/early summer. Hatchlings emerge in late summer.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Often confused with the venomous Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), which has distinct hourglass-shaped bands (wide on sides, narrow on spine) and vertical pupils, and the Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum), which has smoother scales and different head markings.
Conservation Status
IUCN Least Concern. Common throughout its range, though threatened by habitat loss and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
One of the most popular snakes in the pet trade due to their docile nature and varied color morphs. Ecologically vital for controlling rodent populations.
Notable Features
Distinguished by a 'checkerboard' belly pattern of black and white or orange, which resembles kernels of corn, giving the snake its common name.