Sadly, people commonly mistake this species for the venomous copperhead, and this results in some unnecessary deaths. Corn snakes and other species are great at catching pesky rats and mice. Unless he has small poultry around, corn snakes are a farmer’s best friend! Rats and mice are incredibly destructive animals, and their droppings can contaminate animal feed. One thing they don’t eat? Corn! Corn Snake and Human Interaction While rats and mice are easy to find, corn snakes also eat small birds, lizards, frogs, and more. Foxes, owls, hawks, and a variety of other predators take advantage of this, and corn snakes are no exception. Because of this, they are some of the easiest prey around. Let’s face it, rats and mice thrive near places where we live. Virgin Islands, portions of the Bahamas, and the Lesser Antilles. Because of this, they now live in the U.S. Humans have introduced corn snakes into areas outside of its native range, and in some of these areas breeding populations have established. Their range does, however, spread further into the rest of the southeast United States. They are incredibly common in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. Though they live as far north as New Jersey, this species prefers the southern regions of the United States. Some of their hiding places include barns, urban parks, dumps, and abandoned buildings. They also live in and around human habitation, which they like because of the various rats and mice that live near us. Some of their favorite ecosystems are pine and oak forests, rocky outcroppings, wetland areas, and more. In the wild, this species lives in a number of different habitats. Its average wild lifespan is just 6 – 8 years old. Corn snakes in captivity can live to the ripe age of 20 years old, or more! This species doesn’t fare nearly as well in the wild. Long Lived – These snakes live for a very long time when properly cared for.These snakes are so popular that they are the most widely owned reptiles in the world. They are incredibly docile and come in a variety of different colors. Popular Pets – This species of snake is one of the most popular exotic pets in the world.The second theory is that people simply found this species near corn frequently, because they like to hunt the mice and rats near the corn. The first theory is that corn snakes got their name from the corn-like pattern on their bellies. What’s in a Name? – Yes, corn snakes get their name from the popular crop, but why? Well, there are two different theories for this.Once they have secured their meal they squeeze until it suffocates, then they can safely eat it. When a corn snake catches a rat or mouse, they wrap coils of their long body around the prey. Constrictor – Because corn snakes do not have venom, they need another method to incapacitate prey.Learn more about these snakes and their unique adaptations below. They live as far north as New Jersey, and as far south as Florida. These snakes are common and relatively widespread. Like all rat snakes, they are not venomous, nor dangerous to humans in any way. Their abdomens have a black and white checkered pattern. They have reddish colored scales with large blotches of red, orange, or brown. However, most individuals do not grow any larger than four feet long. Corn snakes are relatively large snakes, and most are between two feet long and six feet long.

Tessera snake