Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: Pantherophis 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
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: Pantherophis guttatus
Conservation
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, with widespread populations, though localized threats include habitat destruction and mortality from human interactions and pest control methods.
Physical Description
The visible specimen is coiled inside a black glue trap on a tiled floor. It exhibits a patterned dorsal surface with reddish-brown or orange blotches edged in black against a lighter greyish or tan background color.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen appears to be a juvenile, roughly 30 to 50 cm in length. Adults typically reach lengths between 60 to 180 cm.
Habitat
Found in wooded groves, forest openings, meadows, agricultural fields, and around abandoned or infrequently used buildings, typically at elevations from sea level up to around 1,000 meters.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily preys upon small rodents, birds, and bird eggs. They are constriction predators, using an ambush or active foraging strategy depending on life stage and prey availability.
Reproduction
Oviparous species that typically mates in the spring, with females laying clutches of 10 to 30 eggs in concealed, humid locations such as under rotting logs or leaf litter during early summer.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, with widespread populations, though localized threats include habitat destruction and mortality from human interactions and pest control methods.
Cultural Significance
Extremely popular in the reptile pet trade due to captive breeding color morphs, and ecologically beneficial through the natural regulation of rodent populations.
Notable Features
Known for climbing ability and extensive polymorphism in captivity resulting in numerous selective color and pattern variations.