red corn snake

navigate by keyword : american belly beneficial brand brown central circle cites constriction copperhead corn crops disease distinctive ear eat finger functional grain guttatus hand harmless harvested helping identity jewellery kernels killed line logo maintain mice named nearly checkered north number orange organ oxford pantherophis pattern pests pink presence prey preys rat rats red regular resembles resembling rodent scales small snake snakes southeastern species spread states stores subdues superficially though united usage variegated venom venomous wild

Red corn snake on branch, closeup snake Royalty Free Stock Photo

red corn snake is coiled on the ground Royalty Free Stock Photo

red corn snake is coiled Royalty Free Stock Photo

Red corn snake on a branch, dark background, close-up frame of photography Royalty Free Stock Photo

The corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is a North American species of rat snake that subdues its small prey by constriction. It is found throughout the southeastern and central United States. Though superficially resembling the venomous copperhead and often killed as a result of this mistaken identity, corn snakes lack functional venom and are harmless and beneficial to humans by helping to 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. The Oxford English Dictionary cites this usage as far back as 1675. Some 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.