Corn Snake

Pantherophis guttatus


Corn snakes are a very common snake found in much of the eastern United States. They are most abundant in Florida but are receiving threats from habitat destruction recently. Clearly, they are able to live in a wide variety of habitats, from rocky hills to forests to grasslands to barns and abandoned buildings. Though they are often mistaken for Copperheads, they look very different. Corn snakes come in a variety of colors, ranging from gray to yellow and red. They all have a checkerboard patterned underside that makes the corn snake unique. Due to being popular pets, they have been bred for certain colors and patterns.

In captivity, they can live over 20 years, but that lifespan is decreased in the wild. They can climb trees but spend most of their time on the ground. They prefer to hide, usually going for loose bark, beneath logs or rocks, or anything else they can get under. Corn snakes are constrictors, meaning they wrap around their prey and suffocate it to death. They will eat their prey (usually mice, rats, frogs, or lizards) headfirst and swallow it whole. Because of their docile nature to humans they have become popular pets. They are also useful in pest control on agricultural fields.

Corn Snakes are found throughout the southeastern and central United States.

Habitat Icon Cub Creek Science Camp

HABITAT -They can be found in rocky terrain, grasslands, forests, and low activity human buildings.

Diet Icon Cub Creek Science Camp

DIET -They will eat lizards, mice, rats, birds, and bats.

Fun Fact Icon Cub Creek Science Camp

FUN FACT -Corn snakes are the most frequently bred snake species for the pet industry.

Social Behavior Icon Cub Creek Science Camp

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR -Corn snakes are very docile with humans, making them great pets.

Activity Icon Cub Creek Science Camp

ACTIVITY -Corn snakes are very docile with humans, making them great pets.

Predator Icon Cub Creek Science Camp

PREDATORS -Predators include hawks, carnivorous mammals, kingsnakes, and black racers.

Size Icon Cub Creek Science Camp

SIZE -Corn snakes can be 2-6 ft in length and weigh about 2 lbs.

RelativesIcon Cub Creek Science Camp

RELATIVES -Corn snakes are rat snakes and are related to species such as the Black Rat Snake.

Conservation Icon Cub Creek Science Camp

CONSERVATION -They are listed as Least Concern under the IUCN, except in Florida where they are of Special Concern.

Cub Creek Animal Care Information


Housing - Our snakes are housed in our Reptile room, which also features many of our lizards. They live in large heat and UV light-controlled enclosures. Fresh water and plenty of places to hide and explore are provided for them.

Diet - Once a week, our snakes are fed frozen mice that are tailored to the snake’s size. Snakes have very slow metabolisms, so they do not need to be fed often to receive all of their necessary nutrients.

Enrichment - Reptiles do not need a lot of enrichment beyond their various hides. Our campers give them plenty of stimulation by handling them and even occasionally bringing them outside on warmer days in the summer.