Corn Snake

Characteristics

• Average size is between 4 and 6 feet
• Often kept as pets because of their docile nature and color patterns
• Can be found in basements and buildings near open field and forests

The corn snake is a medium sized species of rat snake that kills its prey by constriction. A fairly docile species, this snake rarely bites humans and keeps rodent populations in check. The snake does not actually have a preference for corn, the name is derived from the mice and rats that feed on corn. Farmers would store their corn in large buildings and corn snakes would often be found there in search of their prey. The corn snake is brownish-red to orange overall with black borders and a white underbelly. Although selective breeding has made corn snakes of all patterns and colors common.