Corn Snake (also known as Red Rat Snake)
Pantherophis guttatus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: Pantherophis guttatus
Southeastern and central United States, ranging from New Jersey south to the Florida Keys and west to Louisiana and parts of Kentucky.
Look up Corn Snake (also known as Red Rat Snake) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: Pantherophis guttatus
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN Red List). Abundant across its native range, though localized populations face threats from habitat loss and vehicle mortality.
Physical Description
Features reddish-brown to orange dorsal saddles bordered by thin black rings over a light gray to orange-tan background. Head has a characteristic spear-shaped mark running back toward the neck. Smooth body scales, large head scales, and round pupils (this specimen exhibits cloudy eyes indicating an opaque/in-shed phase).
Size & Dimensions
Specimen shown is a juvenile/subadult (~12-18 inches). Adults typically average 24 to 72 inches (61-183 cm) in length, with records reaching up to 182 cm.
Habitat
Found in pine flatwoods, overgrown fields, agricultural land, rocky hillsides, and suburban edge habitats. Highly adaptable terrestrial and semi-arboreal species from sea level to around 750 meters elevation.
Diet & Feeding
Constrictor that feeds primarily on small rodents (mice, rats), birds, bird eggs, and occasionally lizards or frogs (especially juveniles). Active search and ambush hunter.
Reproduction
Oviparous. Females lay clutches of 10-30 eggs in late spring to early summer. Eggs hatch after roughly 60-70 days. Hatchlings measure around 25-38 cm.
Look-alikes
Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum), Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix - distinguished by hourglass patterns, vertical pupils, heat-sensing pits, and thick bodies), and Mole Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster).
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN Red List). Abundant across its native range, though localized populations face threats from habitat loss and vehicle mortality.
Cultural Significance
Extremely valuable ecological predator that controls destructive rodent populations around farms and homes. One of the most popular, gentle, and widely kept pet snakes in human history.
Notable Features
This specimen is currently in ecdysis (shedding cycle), as evidenced by the milky white, opaque spectacle over the eyes. It displays the classic juvenile saddles and dark spearpoint head pattern typical of Pantherophis guttatus.