Corn Snake
(Elaphe guttata guttata) |
 |
DESCRIPTION: Also known as the "red rat
snake", this is a stout, medium-sized snake that grows to
lengths of 30-48 in. (76-122 cm). It is red to orange in color,
although there is individual variation. Upland specimens tend to
be browner. Dorsal spots and blotches are outlined with black
and the first blotch on the neck is divided into 2 branches that
extend forward and meet in a spearpoint between the eyes. The
belly is whitish, strongly checkered or cross-banded with black.
The underside of the tail is striped and the scales are weakly
keeled. Juveniles are patterned as adults but often have
chocolate brown to dark chocolate blotches on a gray to reddish
orange body. This species may be confused with Lampropeltis
calligaster and L. triangulum, especially the mountain form of
the latter. Both of these species have a short eye-jaw stripe
that does not extend beyond the mouth and neither have the
blotch on the head. Cornsnakes are often mistaken for
copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix), but the latter has
hourglass-shaped crossbands and lacks the strong checkerboard
pattern on the venter.
STATUS:
RANGE: This species is found below 760
meters elevation in the upper Coastal Plain, most of the
Piedmont, and in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Valley and Ridge
north of the New River. It has not been found in the
southeastern Coastal Plain, on the Eastern Shore, or southwest
of the New River. This species spends most of its time
underground or hidden. It frequents corn cribs and is found in
open woodland and cultivated fields. This is a very secretive
snake, infrequently seen even in areas from which it is known.
HABITAT: They commonly live in wooded
areas, abandoned buildings, and trash piles. It is often found
on rocky hillsides and in barns. It is most often associated
with hardwood forests, although they may be occasionally found
in pine-dominated agricultural and urban areas.
SPECIAL HABITAT: Cornsnakes are terrestrial
and fossorial, utilizing rodent burrows and tree root canals for
shelter and foraging areas.
FOOD: odents are the preferred prey of this
snake, although fledgling birds and lizards are occasionally
taken. |
