Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Corn Snake

Pantherophis guttatus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The corn snake is a nonvenomous American snake with large back markings and a chequered belly. It subdues prey by constriction and is an able climber.

A corn snake photographed on a white surface; captive colour forms can differ from wild snakes.

A corn snake photographed on a white surface; captive colour forms can differ from wild snakes.

At a glance

Location
Corn snakes live in the eastern and southeastern United States, using woodland, rocky ground and open fields. They also occur around barns and other buildings. Older sources combine them with Great Plains rat snakes; those western populations are not included here.
Habitat
Temperate forest, Grassland, Towns and cities
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Rodents are important prey, alongside birds, eggs and other small vertebrates. Corn snakes hunt both on the ground and in vegetation. They use logs and crevices for shelter, and cold weather can bring a period of inactivity.

Classification

Common name
Corn Snake
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Pantherophis guttatus
Taxon rank
species
Family
Colubridae
Genus
Pantherophis
Source classification
Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It kills prey by constriction.
  • It can climb into vegetation to hunt.
  • Captive snakes occur in many colour forms.

Habitat and range

Corn snakes live in the eastern and southeastern United States, using woodland, rocky ground and open fields. They also occur around barns and other buildings. Older sources combine them with Great Plains rat snakes; those western populations are not included here.

Appearance and adaptations

Wild snakes typically carry reddish or brown blotches on a lighter background, with dark-and-light checks beneath. Captive breeding has produced many additional colours and patterns.

Diet and behaviour

Rodents are important prey, alongside birds, eggs and other small vertebrates. Corn snakes hunt both on the ground and in vegetation. They use logs and crevices for shelter, and cold weather can bring a period of inactivity.

Sources

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