The corn snake has a stunning appearance. The corn snake gets its name because of its distinctive markings on its belly resembling corn kernels. While most wild snakes lack color, this one is bright and attractive. Corn snakes are red or orange, with shield-like markings on their back and side. Its tail often has two black stripes. They also have a spear-like marking on their head. Their eyes are milky blue. Corn snakes lack movable eyelids but have a clear spectacle, an embryonic fusion of two eyelids.
The corn snake was once considered a subspecies of the Great Plains rat snake. But later, the Great Plains rat snake separated as a distinct species. However, it is still sometimes referred to as a subspecies.
A variety of colors is available in the corn snake. Some varieties are anachronistic (a genetic trait) and have no ventral checkered pattern. A few morphs are entirely different in appearance. There are two main types: the Amber and the Diffused morphs. The former has a pink belly and is often thinner than the latter.
A corn snake can grow up to six feet long and are capable of living for 20 years or more. Although the average size is around three to four feet, the record is six feet, two inches.
Corn snakes breed during the spring and early summer. Female corn snakes lay eggs in late May or early July. These eggs do not need a nest and are laid in piles of decayed vegetation or rotting stumps, and the snake then abandons them. After about two to three months, the eggs hatch. Young corn snakes feed on insects, frogs, and small animals. However, only a few hatchlings survive into adulthood.
Adult corn snakes do not feed daily. Their diet consists of smaller animals, such as lizards, tree frogs, mice, rats, birds, and bats. They also eat their prey whole and sometimes even swallow them alive. Despite its lack of aggressiveness, the corn snake has still considered a pest and is actively collected to make pets.
Where does the corn snake live?
The corn snake lives primarily in the southern region of the United States. Although they may be found as far north as New Jersey, they are most common in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. It prefers areas with sandy pinewoods. The animal is commonly found in crop fields, although it can also live in barns where rats eat grains. As they spread south, they were introduced to other areas not native to them. However, it is not a common pest and is protected in most parts of Georgia.
Is corn snake poisonous?
Same as arabina sand boa, corn snake is not poisonous. Venomous snakes inject venom into their prey via their fangs. A corn snake bite will not be venomous, but the bite may result in infection. Unlike venomous snakes, it lacks fangs. Instead, the snake has 20-30 small needle-like teeth in its mouth. This is more than twice as many teeth on the upper jaw as it does on its lower jaw. The corn snake's teeth are arranged in four rows on the top jaw and two rows on the lower.
The bite of a corn snake is not fatal, and it can cause minor bruising and bleeding. It will not cause any severe symptoms unless infected with a bacterial infection.
Is a corn snake a good pet?
Corn Snakes are easy pets to care for, but there are a few things you need to know before taking the plunge. These creatures are notorious for shedding, resulting in expensive veterinary bills. An unclean habitat can also cause rapid shedding, leading to secondary infections and suppressing the immune system. They can also carry the harmful Salmonella bacteria. While most corn snakes are harmless, handling them can cause problems, including skin irritation and damage to the skin.
First, be sure to choose a responsible breeder. Whether or not a corn snake is a good pet depends on the size and morph of the individual animal. In general, corn snakes are medium-sized and slim in build. Their average weight varies between 250 and 800 grams. It would be best to choose a snake with clear eyes and no signs of illness. The snake should flick its tongue regularly. And finally, it should be free from cuts, mites, and ticks.
Secondly, you need to provide a suitable habitat for your new pet. This includes proper lighting and heat sources. They require light during the day and no light at night. The corn snake can live in a 40-gallon glass vivarium despite being solitary.
Lastly,
be sure to keep a hygrometer handy to monitor humidity. The ideal
humidity level for a corn snake is between forty and fifty percent.
Remember, the snake will bite if it is stressed or smells food.
The
best place for the corn snake to live is in a tank that has plenty of
vertical space and a viewing enclosure. Aside from the cage, you should
also provide a hiding place for your snake. A small cardboard box will
work perfectly. You can also place forked branches and bark around the
cage. It would help if you tried to make sure these hideouts are on the
warmer end of the enclosure.
Corn snakes can be aggressive when mishandled. They prefer not to be disturbed and should be handled with care. Do not handle the snake with your fingers. It may mistake your hands or fingers for food. Holding a fully-grown corn snake can cause stress and even death.
The Florida Wildtype is the most common type of corn snake. It is a timid animal, and it could bite you if it does not know you well. But if you're worried, you should always take precautions. It is not a dangerous animal and is not a threat to humans.
The Corn Snake is a nonvenomous serpent that overpowers its prey. Its preferred food includes small mammals, birds, eggs, and smaller snakes.
