Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus
Silhouette: Alex Slavenko · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusPantherophis (North American Ratsnakes)
- SpeciesPantherophis guttatus (Corn Snake)
About the Corn Snake
The corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus), sometimes called the Red Rat Snake is a species of North American rat snake in the family Colubridae. The species subdues its small prey by constriction. 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 to humans. The corn snake is beneficial to humans because it helps control populations of wild rodent pests that damage crops and spread disease.
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). 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.
The genus name Panthērophis literally means "panther snake" in reference to the snake's panther-like skin pattern; from Ancient Greek: πάνθηρ : pánthēr "panther", and Ancient Greek: ὄφις : óphis... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Corn Snake in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Eastern/Central Ratsnake Complex
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Common Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Eastern Worm Snake
Carphophis amoenus
Black Kingsnake
Lampropeltis nigra
DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Rough Green Snake
Opheodrys aestivus
Queen Snake
Regina septemvittata
Redbelly Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Cypress National Preserve | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Everglades National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Shenandoah National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Congaree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Corn Snake in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Corn Snake sighting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on 29 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Corn Snake in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for Corn Snake in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in our monthly data.