Corn snake | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Pantherophis |
Species: | P. guttatus
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Binomial name | |
Pantherophis guttatus (Linnaeus, 1766)
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Synonyms | |
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The corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus), sometimes called red rat snake[4] is a species of North American rat snake in the family Colubridae. The species subdues its small prey by constriction.[5][6] It is found throughout the southeastern and central United States. 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. The corn snake is beneficial to humans[7] because it helps to control populations of wild rodent pests that damage crops and spread disease.[8]
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).[9] 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.[10][11]