Corn Snake Natural History
Size
The average size of this snake is 4ft (1.2m). However, lengths of over 6ft (1.8m) have been recorded.
Habitat and Distribution
This snake is common throughout a large variety of habitats including grasslands, scrub, forests and now most commonly agricultural areas (particularly buildings such as barns and grain store due to the rodents attracted to these areas). Their home range spans over most of the United States of America.
Age
Wild corn snakes are estimated to live for 15 to 20 years with captive snakes often reaching around 25 years.
Diet
This snake feeds almost exclusively on rodents but will take birds and some small reptiles if rodents are not abundant.
Groups and Breeding
These are solitary snakes which only socialise during breeding season which can cover all of the warmer months of the year. If a single year produces enough high temperature months, females may even lay 2 clutches of eggs for that year. Any clutch can consist of around 14 to 24 eggs which hatch after around 65 days.
Threats
This snake falls prey to many of the USA’s predators but the main threat comes from its attraction to areas inhabited by humans, where it is under threat of being killed due to fear of snakes and most commonly through encounters with traffic.
Interesting Facts
Ever since its introduction to the pet trade it has been the single most popular pet snake species commercially available, which has lead to selective breeding of different colour and pattern mutations known as morphs. These snakes are now available in over 100 different morphs with colours ranging through the colour spectrum.
The Corn Snake During Your Day Out in Kent
The four Corn Snakes at Wingham Wildlife Park are on display in the new Reptile House. This area is also home to a number of species of other snakes such as Reticulated Pythons and Bredl’s Carpet Pythons as well as crocodilians, turtles, tortoises and lizards.