Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus • 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. Widely kept and bred globally in captivity.
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. Populations are generally stable, though local threats include habitat loss from agricultural and urban development, as well as mortality on roads.
Physical Description
This specimen is an amelanistic (hypomelanistic/albino-type) morph displaying pale whitish-pink base coloration with soft orange-peach blotches. The head shows faint orange patterning, reddish eyes typical of amelanism, and slightly rounded snout proportions. Scales are weakly keeled to smooth.
Size & Dimensions
Estimated length of this captive specimen is approximately 90-120 cm. Typical adult size ranges from 61 to 182 cm (24 to 72 inches).
Habitat
Found in overgrown fields, forest openings, trees, and abandoned or agricultural buildings. Prefers terrestrial environments with hiding spots like logs, bark, and rocks. Elevation ranges from sea level to over 1,000 meters.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily feeds on small rodents, birds, and bats in the wild. Active foragers that locate prey using scent and rely on constriction to subdue them before ingestion.
Reproduction
Oviparous species. Females typically lay clutches of 10 to 30 eggs in mid-summer (June to July) inside rotting logs, under rocks, or in underground burrows, with incubation lasting around 60 to 65 days.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern. Populations are generally stable, though local threats include habitat loss from agricultural and urban development, as well as mortality on roads.
Cultural Significance
Named 'corn snake' because they were frequently found around grain stores in barns where they hunted mice and rats feeding on harvested corn. Highly popular in the international pet trade due to numerous color mutations.
Notable Features
One of the most popular pet reptiles. Exhibits extreme genetic variation in captivity, producing numerous morphs such as amelanistic, anerythristic, and stripe variations.