Corn snake

Corn snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Pantherophis
Species:
P. guttatus
Binomial name
Pantherophis guttatus
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Synonyms
A close-up portrait
Gravid female
Young corn snake

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]

  1. ^ Echternacht, A.; Hammerson, G.A. (2016). "Pantherophis guttatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T63863A71740603. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T63863A71740603.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Stejneger L, Barbour T (1917). A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. iv + 125 pp. (Elaphe guttata, p. 82).
  3. ^ "Pantheropis guttatus ". The Reptile Database.
  4. ^ "Corn snake". Smithsonian's National Zoo. 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  5. ^ Crother, B. I. (2012). "Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding" (PDF). Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular. 39: 1–68.
  6. ^ Saviola, Anthony; Bealor, Matthew (2007). "Behavioural complexity and prey-handling ability in snakes: gauging the benefits of constriction". Behaviour. 144 (8): 907–929. doi:10.1163/156853907781492690. JSTOR 4536488.
  7. ^ "Corn Snake".
  8. ^ "Did Someone Say Snakes?". Archived from the original on 2013-08-03. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  9. ^ "FLMNH - Eastern Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)". 17 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Corn Snake | Petco". www.petco.com.
  11. ^ "Smithsonian National Zoo Corn Snake Fact Sheet".