Corn Snake (or Eastern Milksnake / Fox Snake depending on region, but visually aligns with Pantherophis guttatus or closely related North American ratsnake)
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 Kentucky.
Look up Corn Snake (or Eastern Milksnake / Fox Snake depending on region, but visually aligns with Pantherophis guttatus or closely related North American ratsnake) 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 declines occur due to habitat fragmentation, intentional persecution, and the pet trade.
Physical Description
Exhibits a patterned back with dark-bordered reddish-brown, brown, or grey blotches on a lighter ground color of grey or tan. The head is relatively distinct from the neck with characteristic spear-point or spade-like markings on the crown. Scales are weakly keeled and the body is moderately slender with a slightly flattened belly.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen appears to be a subadult or medium-sized adult, roughly 3 to 4 feet in length. Typical adult size ranges from 61 to 182 cm (24 to 72 inches).
Habitat
Found in forested regions, overgrown fields, agricultural land, around abandoned buildings, and pinelands. They are terrestrial and semi-arboreal, often utilizing debris piles, hollow logs, and rodent burrows from sea level up to elevations of over 1,500 meters.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily feeds on rodents, small birds, bats, and lizards. They use active foraging and constriction to subdue active prey, feeding more frequently as juveniles and less often as large adults.
Reproduction
Oviparous species. Females typically lay clutches of 10 to 30 eggs in decomposing vegetation, rotting logs, or underground burrows during the early summer, which incubate for approximately 60 to 65 days.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern. Populations are generally stable, though local declines occur due to habitat fragmentation, intentional persecution, and the pet trade.
Cultural Significance
Highly popular in the captive-bred pet trade due to vibrant morphs. Ecologically important as natural pest control, keeping rodent populations in check around agricultural and residential areas.
Notable Features
Known for excellent climbing ability and specialized belly scales that provide traction for vertical climbing on rough surfaces.