GENERAL INFORMATION

The Corn Snake, also known as the red rat snake, is one of several species of rat snakes occuring in the United States. Rat snakes are large, powerful, non-venomous snakes which feed on a variety of prey species which they overpower by constriction.

DESCRIPTION

Corn Snakes are highly variable in coloration and pattern depending on the age of the snake and the region of the country in which it is found. They are generally very colorful snakes with most adults displaying vivid colors of reddish or orange blotches edged in black with a grayish to orange colored background tinged with yellow. The belly of the snake usually consists of alternating rows of black and white, resembling a checkerboard pattern. The overall appearance of the snake reminds one of brightly colored Indian corn from which it probably gets its common name. Corn Snakes from the western North Carolina region tend to be much duller in coloration than those from other areas. Young hatchling corn snakes lack much of the bright coloration found on the adults. Adult Corn Snakes normally range from about 3 to 5 feet in length.

HABITS AND HABITATS

In the wild, Corn Snakes tend to be quite secretive and appear to be active mostly at night. During daylight hours they may be found hiding under loose tree bark and beneath logs, rocks, and other debris. If disturbed, they often strike repeatedly at the intruder while vibrating their tail. In dry leaves, the vibrating of the tail may resemble the buzz of a rattlesnake, fooling some predators in to leaving them alone. Corn Snakes prefer habitats such as overgrown fields, forest openings, and abandoned or seldom used buildings where their favorite food of mice and other small rodents is abundant. Like other rat snakes, Corn Snakes are excellent climbers and often climb high in trees looking for nestling birds and other prey. Corn Snakes overpower their prey by first biting to obtain a firm grip, then quickly wrapping one or more coils of their body around the victim, squeezing tightly until it suffocates. The Corn Snake then swallows its food whole, usually beginning with the head of the animal. Like most other snakes, Corn Snakes do not usually eat every day and may often go for days or weeks between feedings. Corn Snakes usually breed in spring with females laying their eggs in early summer. The eggs are not cared for by the adult snake. They are laid in rotting stumps, in piles of decaying vegetation or other similar locations where there is sufficient heat and humidity to incubate them. The eggs hatch in 2 to 3 months. Young corn snakes often feed on small lizards and frogs until they grow large enough to overpower larger prey. Only a few from each clutch usually survive to adulthood because of predation by a variety of other animals.

HISTORY

All snakes, including the Corn Snake, have been needlessly killed and persecuted by man. The fear and hatred of snakes is based on human prejudices and beliefs rather than actual fact. Due to their reddish-orange coloration, Corn Snakes are often killed because they are mistaken for the copperhead, a venomous species. Corn Snakes, as well as copperheads, are actually beneficial predators of rodents and in turn are important food items for many other animals. Because of their beautiful coloration and docile temperament as captives, Corn Snakes are often kept as pets tame quickly and with proper care may live ten to fifteen years or more in captivity. In the wild, their average lifespan is considerably less. Corn Snakes also readily breed in captivity and many striking color patterns and variations have been produced by hobbyists, many of which would not normally occur in the wild.

MEET OUR CORN SNAKES

The Nature Center usually keeps one or more Corn Snakes on exhibit in the Nature Lab. In our "hands on" Discovery Room. Usually a Corn Snake is available for our visitors to touch and even handle. Once a visitor touches one of our friendly snakes and gets a chance to learn the truth about these misunderstood reptiles, it usually helps them to replace their fear of snakes with a fascination for them! The Nature Center's Corn Snakes are fed mice and small rats which we raise at the Center. They are usually fed once every week or once every two weeks. Snakes have a slow metabolism and do not have to eat very often. Our Corn Snakes are used extensively in our educational programs and have been touched and handled by literally hundreds of visitors, helping them to overcome their fear and revulsion to these interesting and beneficial creatures.

This article may be reproduced for classroom use by students and educators but may not be reprinted otherwise without written consent from the Nature Center.
©2002 WNC Nature Center