Cornsnakes Pantherophis guttatus are harmless ratsnakes native to eastern North America. Sometimes locally called red ratsnakes, they are generalists and eat a variety of prey. They do well in urban environments, particularly fond of rodents and birds in these habitats.
Cornsnakes are currently recognized as distinct from Slowinski's ratsnake P. slowinskii, as well as Emory's Ratsnake P. emoryi.
Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, many non-venomous snakes bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Here's where it get slightly complicated - some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce and use venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes Diadophis are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; severe envenomation can occur if some species are allowed to chew on a human for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes Thamnophis ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also considered harmless. Check out this book on the subject. Even large species like Reticulated Pythons Malayopython reticulatusrarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans so are usually categorized as harmless.
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now
Oh he let me get pretty close and would not move so I had to toss a stone near by and he snapped to it lol It’s been rainy here so I’m sure he enjoyed the warm rocks before I ended his party. We also saw a healthy black rat snake, it was great.
Head shape does not reliably indicate if a snake has medically significant venom as This graphic demonstrates. Nonvenomous snakes commonly flatten their heads to a triangle shape in defensive displays, and some elapids like coralsnakes have elongated heads. It's far more advantageous to familiarize yourself with venomous snakes in your area through photos and field guides or by following subreddits like /r/whatsthissnake than it is to try to apply any generic trick.
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now
He’s just trying to act tough cuz he’s scared. Poor baby had to talk to a tall scary monster today, ok? He heard rumors that humans like to keep corn snakes in cages and breed them into funny colors, and that terrifies him.
It looks like you didn't provide a rough geographic location [in square brackets] in your title.This is critical because some species are best distinguishable from each other by geographic range, and not all species live all places. Providing a location allows for a quicker, more accurate ID.
If you provided a location but forgot the correct brackets, ignore this message until your next submission. Thanks!
Potential identifiers should know that providing an ID before a location is given is problematic because it often makes the OP not respond to legitimate requests for location. Many species look alike, especially where ranges meet. Users may be unaware that location is critically important to providing a good ID.
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now
That’s a beautiful cornsnake, thanks for sharing!
Very beautiful! We also saw a black rat snake that day. Both very healthy and very beautiful!
This is a Cornsnake, Pantherophis guttatus. It is !harmless.
Typical adult length: 30-40 inches.
Diet: Cornsnakes consume rodents, birds, bird eggs, amphibians and reptiles. Their dietary preferences may change across their range.
Cornsnakes Pantherophis guttatus are harmless ratsnakes native to eastern North America. Sometimes locally called red ratsnakes, they are generalists and eat a variety of prey. They do well in urban environments, particularly fond of rodents and birds in these habitats.
Cornsnakes are currently recognized as distinct from Slowinski's ratsnake P. slowinskii, as well as Emory's Ratsnake P. emoryi.
Species Complex Information Additional Information and Photos for this Species
Species Complex Range Map Individual Range | Relevant/Recent Phylogeography Link 1 Link 2
Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, many non-venomous snakes bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Here's where it get slightly complicated - some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce and use venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes Diadophis are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; severe envenomation can occur if some species are allowed to chew on a human for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes Thamnophis ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also considered harmless. Check out this book on the subject. Even large species like Reticulated Pythons Malayopython reticulatus rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans so are usually categorized as harmless.
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now
A nice looking corn snake or red rat snake. Notice the checkerboarded belly which is so cool looking to me. Awesome snakes, nice find!
I did not notice the belly that is very cool.
I just love the posturing defense. I damn sure would’ve thought he was a nope rope with all that puffing up!!😂
Oh he let me get pretty close and would not move so I had to toss a stone near by and he snapped to it lol It’s been rainy here so I’m sure he enjoyed the warm rocks before I ended his party. We also saw a healthy black rat snake, it was great.
Right?! And that triangular head shape always scares me
!headshape
Head shape does not reliably indicate if a snake has medically significant venom as This graphic demonstrates. Nonvenomous snakes commonly flatten their heads to a triangle shape in defensive displays, and some elapids like coralsnakes have elongated heads. It's far more advantageous to familiarize yourself with venomous snakes in your area through photos and field guides or by following subreddits like /r/whatsthissnake than it is to try to apply any generic trick.
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now
He’s just trying to act tough cuz he’s scared. Poor baby had to talk to a tall scary monster today, ok? He heard rumors that humans like to keep corn snakes in cages and breed them into funny colors, and that terrifies him.
That beauty is a supermodel amongst corn snakes. Thanks for sharing!
Yes she is! We also saw a black rat snake not long after, all the snakes in that area were huge!
Low key refreshing to see a wild corn snake in his natural habitat.
He was really nice and unassuming as well. Beautiful animal. We also saw a very healthy black rat snake not long after
That is a gorgeous Corn Snake!
He was beautiful to see in person and didn’t want to move. Such nice additions to our walks now that we live down here
It looks like you didn't provide a rough geographic location [in square brackets] in your title.This is critical because some species are best distinguishable from each other by geographic range, and not all species live all places. Providing a location allows for a quicker, more accurate ID.
If you provided a location but forgot the correct brackets, ignore this message until your next submission. Thanks!
Potential identifiers should know that providing an ID before a location is given is problematic because it often makes the OP not respond to legitimate requests for location. Many species look alike, especially where ranges meet. Users may be unaware that location is critically important to providing a good ID.
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now