What is an eastern corn snake?

The eastern corn snake, Pantherophis guttatus, is a non-venomous species found from southern New Jersey south to Florida and west to the Mississippi. The snake's preferred habitats include agricultural fields, pinelands, swamps and residential areas.

Adult eastern corn snakes reach an average size of 18 to 44 inches. The snake is orange-brown with black-bordered brown, orange or red blotches and a black and white checkerboard pattern and some orange present on the belly. A spear-shaped pattern is present on the head and neck, and the pupils of the eastern corn snake's eyes are brown. Scales on the snake are weakly keeled, with juveniles often appearing browner in color.