Corn Snake
Basic Information:
Scientific Name: Pantherophis guttatus
Habitat: Corn snakes can be found in the fields, forests, and farms of south eastern United States.
Diet: Young corn snakes feed on lizards and tree frogs, while adults feed on larger prey like mice, rats, birds, and bats.
Size: 2 to 6 feet long
Weight: About 2 pounds
Lifespan: 6 to 8 years in the wild. Up to 24 years in human care.
Distribution Map:
I.U.C.N. Conservation Status:
What does this mean?
Least Concern – a species determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (I.U.C.N.) to be pervasive, abundant, and thriving.
Our Corn Snake:
Earov (Female) – Estimated Birthdate Between 2009 & 2011
Did You Know?!
- Some sources cite the origin of the common name “corn snake” as arising from the similarity of the snake’s belly markings to the checkered pattern of kernels on Indian corn/maize. Other sources refer to the snake’s association with corn cribs/silos, where they would prey on rodent species scavenging the crop.
- Corn snakes are active both day and night, but become primarily nocturnal in the warm summer months.
- When cornered, a corn snake may vibrate its tail like a rattle-snake.
- Corn snakes are sometimes confused with the venomous copper-head, but corn snakes non-venomous.