Red Rat Snake / Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: P. 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 Red Rat Snake / Corn Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: P. guttatus
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though local populations face pressures from habitat fragmentation, agricultural development, and road mortality.
Physical Description
Exhibits a bright orange to reddish-orange ground color with darker red or brownish blotches bordered in black along the back and sides. A characteristic spear-shaped or dart-like marking is visible on top of the head pointing toward the snout. Scales are weakly keeled, and the body is somewhat slender with a slightly flattened belly.
Size & Dimensions
This specimen appears to be a subadult or young adult, roughly 60 to 90 cm in length. Typical adult size ranges from 61 to 182 cm, with an average around 100 to 120 cm.
Habitat
Found in overgrown fields, forest openings, trees, and abandoned or agricultural buildings. Prefers terrestrial environments with access to cover such as logs, rocks, and debris, ranging from sea level up to elevations of about 2,000 meters.
Diet & Feeding
Diet consists primarily of rodents, small mammals, birds, and bird eggs. They are active foragers and constrictors, subduing prey by wrapping their bodies around it and squeezing to restrict breathing before swallowing whole.
Reproduction
Oviparous species that typically breeds in the spring. Females lay clutches ranging from 10 to 30 eggs in concealed, humid environments such as rotting logs, leaf litter, or underground burrows, which hatch after an incubation period of approximately 60 to 65 days.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) due to similar reddish-brown coloration and blotched patterns; however, corn snakes have round pupils, slender bodies, distinct head spear markings, and lack facial heat-sensing pits.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though local populations face pressures from habitat fragmentation, agricultural development, and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Highly valued in agricultural and residential areas for their role in naturally controlling rodent populations. They are also among the most popular snakes kept in captivity and are frequently bred for various morph variations.
Notable Features
Known for their docile temperament when handled, excellent climbing abilities allowing them to scale rough vertical surfaces, and the distinctive spear-point marking on the crown of the head.