Description

The Cornsnake (also called the Red Ratsnake or Red Cornsnake), is a large, boldly colored member of genus Pantherophis native to the southeast US. This snake can be found throughout much of Mississippi beyond the Mississippi River delta plain. It is easily identified with its rusty red to bright orange coloration and darker blotches lining the back. Some individuals may be grayish or yellowish. Blotches are bordered with black. Belly is checkered with dark rectangles (see below). Many uneducated individuals misidentify this harmless rodent eater as a copperhead, but labial (lip) barring is not present in copperheads. Overall coloration is noticeably different as well. Corn snakes are highly arboreal, and hunt small mammals, birds, and eggs at night.

Identifying Traits

• Large slender orange, rusty, yellowish, or grayish body
• Back marked with a row of large orange, red, or olive blotches bordered in black
• Dark labial bars (separates from copperhead)

Habitat

Forests, grasslands, occasionally near water bodies (Behler & King, 1979)

Behavior

Nocturnal hunters, occasionally seen active at dawn or dusk

Diet

Small mammals, birds, eggs