The corn snake has even been bred in captivity with the California kingsnake ( Lampropeltis californiae) to produce fertile hybrids known as 'jungle corn snakes'. Molecular data have shown that the corn snake is actually more closely related to kingsnakes (genus Lampropeltis) than it is to the Old World rat snakes (genus Elaphe) with which it was formerly classified. Many reference materials still use the synonym Elaphe guttata. guttatus and several related species in Pantherophis rather than in Elaphe has been confirmed by further phylogenetic studies. guttatus was previously placed in the genus Elaphe, but Elaphe was found to be paraphyletic by Utiger et al., leading to placement of this species in the genus Pantherophis. slowinskii, occurring in western Louisiana and adjacent Texas). emoryi, corresponding with the subspecies P. guttatus), the Great Plains rat snake ( P. guttatus has been suggested to be split into three species: the corn snake ( P. emoryi), but is still occasionally treated as a subspecies of the corn snake by hobbyists. The latter has since been split off as its own species ( P. guttatus) described here and the Great Plains rat snake ( P. Until 2002, the corn snake was considered to have two subspecies: the nominate subspecies ( P. The corn snake can be distinguished from a copperhead by the corn snake's brighter colors, slender build, round pupils, and lack of heat-sensing pits. The record for the oldest corn snake in captivity was 32 years and 3 months. In the wild, it usually lives around ten to fifteen years, but in captivity can live to an age of 23 years or more. Description Īs an adult the corn snake may have a total length (including tail) of 61–182 cm (2.00–5.97 ft). The Oxford English Dictionary cites this usage as far back as 1675, whilst other sources maintain that the corn snake is so-named because the distinctive, nearly-checkered pattern of the snake's belly scales resembles the kernels of variegated corn. The corn snake is named for the species' regular presence near grain stores, where it preys on mice and rats that eat harvested corn ( maize). The corn snake is beneficial to humans because it helps to control populations of wild rodent pests that damage crops and spread disease. Though superficially resembling the venomous copperhead ( Agkistrodon contortrix) and often killed as a result of this mistaken identity, the corn snake lacks functional venom and is harmless. It is found throughout the southeastern and central United States. The species subdues its small prey by constriction. The corn snake ( Pantherophis guttatus) is a species of North American rat snake in the family Colubridae.

Nc snake escape