# Pantherophis guttatus guttatus The Eastern Corn Snake is a friendly snake that loves to climb and explore! It has beautiful orange and black patterns that help it blend into its surroundings. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Eastern Corn Snake ![Pantherophis guttatus guttatus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Amelanistische_Kornnatter.jpg&width=800) Photo: Piatkowskk, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amelanistische_Kornnatter.jpg) ## Appearance The Pantherophis guttatus guttatus is a slender snake with a reddish-brown or orange body adorned with distinct darker red or brown blotches, often outlined in black. Its belly features a prominent black and white checkerboard pattern, which helps distinguish it visually from other similar snake species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Pantherophis ## Interesting facts - Baby corn snakes are born fully independent and can hunt for food right away! - Some corn snakes can subtly change their color to better blend into their surroundings! - They get their 'corn' name from patterns like kernels, or often found near corn storage! - They use their tongue to 'smell' their environment, tasting tiny air particles! ## Special abilities - **Constriction Power:** Pantherophis guttatus guttatus has powerful muscles to constrict prey, helping them overpower small mammals and birds. - **Climbing Grips:** Pantherophis guttatus guttatus has specialized belly scales that help them grip surfaces, allowing excellent climbing ability. - **Rattlesnake Impersonator:** Pantherophis guttatus guttatus can vibrate its tail rapidly when threatened, mimicking a rattlesnake to deter predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 61-182 cm - **Weight:** 0.4-0.9 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-20 years - **Speed:** 3.2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-30 - **Incubation:** 60-70 days ## Diet & Feeding These beneficial snakes primarily eat small rodents and birds, helping to control pest populations. - **Age differences:** Young snakes often eat lizards and frogs, transitioning to larger rodent and bird prey as adults. - **Primary Foods:** Mice, Voles, Rats, Small birds, Bird eggs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [White-footed mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-footed-mouse) (*Peromyscus leucopus*) — A primary food source for corn snakes in their habitat. - **Eats:** [Black rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — Corn snakes help control populations of these rodents on farms. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Young corn snakes can be prey for large birds of prey. - **Eaten by:** Virginia opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Opossums may prey on corn snake eggs and hatchlings. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and never try to touch a wild snake. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pantherophis guttatus guttatus? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Pantherophis guttatus guttatus? 61-182 cm ### How much does Pantherophis guttatus guttatus weigh? 0.4-0.9 kg ### How long does Pantherophis guttatus guttatus live? 6-20 years ### How fast can Pantherophis guttatus guttatus move? 3.2 km/h ### What does Pantherophis guttatus guttatus eat? These beneficial snakes primarily eat small rodents and birds, helping to control pest populations. ### Where is Pantherophis guttatus guttatus usually found? Grasslands ### How does Pantherophis guttatus guttatus hunt? Ambush ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Pantherophis guttatus guttatus Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pantherophis-guttatus-guttatus)