Corn snake classification
The Corn Snake belongs to the Rat Snake genus Elaphe in the family Colubridae. The scientific name for the Corn Snake is Elaphe guttata, and there exists two recognized subspecies: Elaphe guttata guttata and Elaphe guttata emoryi.

Corn Snakes live in Mexico and in the south-eastern and central parts of the United States. The first subspecies, Elaphe guttata guttata, inhabit south-eastern U.S. and can be recognized on the orange coloured skin and the red, black-bordered blotches. It is known as the Common Corn Snake or Red Rat Snake.

The second subspecies, Elaphe guttata emoryi, is known as Emory's Rat Snake or Great Plains Rat Snake. This subspecies is found in central North America and parts of Mexico. The northernmost reports of Emory's Rat Snake come from Michigan, while the snake's range extends eastwards all the way into Massachusetts. Emory's Rat Snake do not display the same strong colouration as the Red Rat Snake. It is usually light grey or tan and the blotches are of a dark grey shade, sometimes with an olive green tint. Emory's Rat Snake is also typically bigger and stouter than the Red Rat Snake and will not produce as many eggs per clutch.

Corn snake pet
Corn snakes are popular pets due to a wide range of reasons. You will not need a huge aquarium, since the average adult Corn snake will be no longer than 4 feet. This makes the Corn snake one of the smallest Rat snake species, and it is also one of the least aggressive ones. Its docile temperament makes it easy to handle even for inexperienced snake keepers. The Corn Snake is known to be quite robust and will usually endure beginner mistakes by new snake keepers. Some Corn Snakes have lived for over 30 years in captivity, and the average Corn snake will live for roughly 15-20 years in captivity (if provided with proper care).

Since Corn snakes have become such popular pets, you will most likely find one in your local pet shop. This species is easy to breed in captivity, so you don’t have to tap into the wild caught population to get a Corn Snake pet.

Before you get a Corn snake, you should always make thorough research in order to provide it with the right environment, care and food. Also make sure that you know which subspecies your Corn snake pet belongs to. Emory's Rat Snake is usually a bit more aggressive than the Common Corn Snake. It is also important to find out if keeping Corn snakes, or any snake, will violate national or regional rules. Some landlords will for instance not allow any type of snakes in their houses.

Corn snake diet
The Corn Snake derives its name from its habit of hunting mice in corn fields. Just like all the other members of the Rat Snake genus, its staple food is of rodents. Corn Snakes are however also skilled climbers and will frequently substitute the rodents with bats, birds and bird eggs. Newly hatched Corn Snakes will often hunt small lizards, and some specimens continue to feed on reptiles even as adults.

Corn Snake articles:

Corn Snake Care
Albino Corn Snake