Natural History: Corn Snake

Order: Squamata  Family: Colubridae

Genus: Pantherophis    Species: guttatus                                                    

Genus Pantherophis (formerly known as Elaphe), the Rat Snakes, share the following phenotypic characteristics; flat belly (cross section looks like a loaf of bread), divided anal plate, hatchlings with bold patterns (may be retained or vanish in adults). As well as the following behavioral characteristics; tail vibrations when alarmed, S-shape attack stance, and good climbers. This genus ranges from western Texas into adjacent mexico, to the atlantic coast. The south eastern quarter of North America. 

Species guttatus, commonly known as a Corn Snake or the "red rat snake", often ranges from 30-48 inches, approximately 3-4 feet in length. The belly is often checked with black boxes on white, with a striped underside of the tail. Coloration is can be highly variable, common color morphs include reddish blotches outlined in black on a gray, tan, yellow or orange background. The first blotch on the neck divides into two branches extending towards the posterior portion of the head, joining between the eyes forming a spearpoint, which is a good indicator for the species. Despite being a good climber the Corn Snake is highly terrestrial, often found in fields, flatwoods, pine barrens, and wood lots. They spend a lot of time underground prowling rodent burrows in search of food. They constrict mice, small birds, as well as lizards and tee frogs. Found from New Jersey to the Florida Keys, and the Atlantic to Mississippi, it's range is disjunct, covering most of the South Eastern United States. 

This specimen, Habibi, is a captive breed, approximately 6 months old, about 18 inches long, and an undetermined sex. Captive breeding has led to several color/pattern morphs, thus Habibi is a snow morph, lacking the dark pigmentation in ventral blotches and outlining of dorsal blotches typically found in native species.  But the spearpoint is still retained on the crown of the head, allowing easy identification. Very docile and curious.