Is corn snake really the calmest snake? Read more to know its traits, behaviour and fun facts

Corn snakes, also known as red rat snakes, are among the most docile and most popular pet snakes in the world. Known for their docile disposition, and bright colorations, and with lower maintenance care, the non venomous snake inhabits the southeastern and central United States. They are also instrumental in controlling the rodent population of this region but are often mistaken for its poisonous counterpart, the copperhead. Corn snakes, however, are harmless to humans and do offer a wonderful peek into the reptile world.
If you're interested in why the corn snake is revered as the tamest snake or want to get it as a pet, here's a full profile of the snake's features, habitat, behavior, and much more.


* Scientific name: Corn snakes belong to the Colubridae family and are commonly known as red rat snakes. They are harmless, non*venomous constrictors.
* Size and lifespan: The average length of an adult corn snake is 2 to 6 feet (61–182 cm). In the wild, they live about 10 to 15 years, but with proper care, their lifespan in captivity can be up to 32 years.
* Coloration: Known for their beautiful coloration, they usually have orange or brown bodies adorned with red blotches outlined in black. Their bellies feature a black*and*white checkerboard pattern.
* Habitat: Native to the southeastern and central United States, corn snakes thrive in diverse environments such as overgrown fields, forests, palmetto flatwoods, and abandoned farms. They are often found near grain stores, where they hunt rodents.
* Diets: Native carnivores; corn snakes subsist mainly on small rodents in the form of mice and rats. They include birds, bird eggs, reptiles, including occasional instances as well. However, pre*killed mice tend to be mostly fed in an artificial setting.
* Temperament: Corn snakes are one of the calmest and friendliest pet snakes. They hardly ever show aggressive behavior. They are easy to handle and tolerant of human interaction, making them ideal for beginners.
* Reproduction: Females achieve sexual maturity based on size rather than age, and they lay 12 to 24 eggs in a warm, moist environment. The eggs hatch after around 10 weeks, and the hatchlings come out around 5 inches (13 cm) in length.
* Behavioral traits: Corn snakes are mostly nocturnal and crepuscular, with heightened activity at dawn and dusk. They are good climbers and tend to brumate during colder months. Some of the defensive behaviors include vibrating their tails to mimic rattlesnakes.
* Intelligence: Research has shown that corn snakes are highly spatially intelligent and flexible, similar to rodents and birds. They use a combination of chemosensory and visual cues to navigate and hunt.







Here are five unique facts about corn snakes:
1. Named after cornfields: The corn snake acquired its name due to its reddish-orange coloration, resembling that of the kernels of corn, and the snake is typically found in the wild in fields of corn and other agricultural settings.
2. Good climbers: While most snake species cannot climb trees and buildings, corn snakes are active climbers. They can easily ascend trees and buildings in their natural environment to find birds or rodents.
3. Constrictors: Corn snakes belong to the constrictor category of snakes. Their killing mechanism is by coiling around their victim until it is asphyxiated. Corn snakes feed on small mammals, birds, and eggs.
4. Mild venom for prey: Despite having tiny fangs, the venom of a corn snake is relatively mild and used for immobilizing small prey. It doesn't have a serious threat to humans because it's not strong enough to harm them.
5. Color morphs: Corn snakes are highly popular in the reptile hobby community due to their wide variety of color morphs. Selective breeding has produced numerous morphs, ranging from albino to pastel, lavender, and even snow varieties, offering a broad spectrum of appearance.
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