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ReptileTerrestrialEasy
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Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus
The Corn Snake is an iconic, docile constrictor perfect for enthusiasts of all levels. Sporting vivid orange and red patterns, this hardy escape artist requires a secure, horizontally spacious tank.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Colubridae
Subfamily:Colubrinae
Genus:Pantherophis
Species:Pantherophis guttatus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
40 - 60 %
Day temperature
21 - 32 °C
Night temperature
21 - 24 °C
Adult size
183 cm
UVB
Low - Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the southeastern United States. They inhabit open woodlands, agricultural fields, grasslands, and suburban areas. They are terrestrial and semi-arboreal, frequently climbing trees or entering barns in search of rodents.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Colubridae. Commonly known as the Corn Snake, its name originates either from the checkered belly pattern resembling Indian corn or its presence in corn cribs where it hunts pests.
Behavior and Habits: Crepuscular and nocturnal. They are widely celebrated for their docile temperament, rarely biting in defense. They are active climbers and persistent escape artists, requiring escape-proof enclosures. If threatened, they may vibrate their tail to mimic a rattlesnake.
Morphology: Can reach 120–150 cm in length. Males and females look very similar externally. Males generally have slightly longer tails that are thicker at the base due to the presence of hemipenes, which can be verified by probing.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: A secure horizontal enclosure (minimum 100x45x45 cm) is required. Must be fitted with a lock or secure clips. Use a dry, burrowing substrate such as aspen shavings or dry coco fiber. Provide at least two tight hiding spots (one on the warm side, one on the cool side) and sturdy branches for climbing.
Lighting and Heating: cool side at 22–24°C, warm side floor at 30–32°C using a thermostat-controlled heating mat. Drop temperatures to 20–22°C at night. A low-output (2–5%) UVB bulb is recommended for physiological benefits.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain moderate humidity levels of 40–50%. Provide a large water bowl for drinking and soaking. During the shedding process, introduce a humid hide filled with damp moss to ensure a complete, single-piece shed.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strict carnivores. Feed exclusively frozen-thawed mice of appropriate size (no wider than the widest part of the snake's body). Feed hatchlings every 5–7 days and adults every 10–14 days. Do not handle the snake for 48 hours after feeding to prevent regurgitation.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. House individually to prevent stress and accidental cannibalism.
Health and Common Diseases: Unregulated heating pads can cause severe thermal burns. Incomplete sheds (dysecdysis) can constrict tail tips if a humid hide is not provided. Never feed live rodents, as they can bite and injure the snake.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the southeastern United States. They inhabit open woodlands, agricultural fields, grasslands, and suburban areas. They are terrestrial and semi-arboreal, frequently climbing trees or entering barns in search of rodents.
Origin
North America
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 183 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 183 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 183 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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