Corn Snake Pantherophis Guttatus

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

UPDATED 2019 Corn Snake Pantherophis guttatus Natural History Description: Non-venomous and mild-mannered. Large brown and red-orange spots run along the back side of the body, while the underside typically has a black and white checkered pattern. The average adult commonly ranges in length between 18-44 Upper: adult Corn snake inches, with males usually being larger than fe- feeding on a mouse. males. Communication: Corn Snakes use their tongues and chemical receptors in their mouths to smell. During the mating season, males give off pheromones that are detected by females. Communica- tion is rare outside of mating season, as they are solitary animals. Breeding: Female Corn Snakes are mature at 16-18 months and are “oviparous” which means they lay eggs. Corn snakes mate in April-June and about one to two months later the female will lay about 10-15 eggs in one clutch. She tends to lay them in stumps, logs, or burrows that are warm and humid. The young snakes hatch two to three months later. Distribution: Corn Snakes are found throughout the eastern and southern central United States and into northern Mexico. Habitat: This snake can be found in a wide variety of habitats. They prefer areas with rocks and logs for nesting and basking. Corn snakes are typically found in deciduous forests, fields, grassy areas, and in suburban areas near homes and barns. They may be found in mountains up to about 1800 meters in elevation. Diet: Corn snakes are primarily rodent-eating constrictors, but they will also eat birds, bird eggs, and small reptiles and amphibians. Lifespan: It is currently unknown what the Corn snakes’ typical lifespan is in the wild, though they may live past 22 years in captivity. Males tend to live slightly longer than females. Adult corn snakes have very few predators and most are killed by bigger snakes or hawks. Not many survive to old age. Conservation Status: Currently the Corn Snake is listed as Least Concern for conservation status. Their largest threat is to habitat destruction and illegal collection for the pet trade. Range Map: Encyclopedia of Life .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Resource Selection by an Ectothermic Predator in a Dynamic Thermal Landscape
Received: 2 May 2017 | Revised: 16 August 2017 | Accepted: 17 August 2017 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3440 ORIGINAL RESEARCH Resource selection by an ectothermic predator in a dynamic thermal landscape Andrew D. George1 | Grant M. Connette2 | Frank R. Thompson III3 | John Faaborg1 1Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA Abstract 2Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Predicting the effects of global climate change on species interactions has remained Front Royal, VA, USA difficult because there is a spatiotemporal mismatch between regional climate models 3U.S.D.A. Forest Service Northern Research and microclimates experienced by organisms. We evaluated resource selection in a Station, Columbia, MO, USA predominant ectothermic predator using a modeling approach that permitted us to Correspondence assess the importance of habitat structure and local real- time air temperatures within Andrew D. George, Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS USA. the same modeling framework. We radio- tracked 53 western ratsnakes (Pantherophis Email: [email protected] obsoletus) from 2010 to 2013 in central Missouri, USA, at study sites where this spe- cies has previously been linked to prey population demographics. We used Bayesian discrete choice models within an information theoretic framework to evaluate the sea- sonal effects of fine- scale vegetation structure and thermal conditions on ratsnake resource selection. Ratsnake resource selection was influenced most by canopy cover, canopy cover heterogeneity, understory cover, and air temperature heterogeneity. Ratsnakes generally preferred habitats with greater canopy heterogeneity early in the active season, and greater temperature heterogeneity later in the season. This sea- sonal shift potentially reflects differences in resource requirements and thermoregula- tion behavior.
[Show full text]
New Records of Pantherophis Guttatus (Squamata: Colubridae) in the State of Bahia, an Alien Species to Brazil
SALAMANDRA 50(4) 241–244 30 December 2014CorrespondenceISSN 0036–3375 Correspondence New records of Pantherophis guttatus (Squamata: Colubridae) in the state of Bahia, an alien species to Brazil Érica Fonseca1,2, Ricardo Marques1,2 & Moacir Santos Tinôco1,3 1) Universidade Católica do Salvador, SPPG-MPPA – Centro de Ecologia e Conservação Animal – ECOA. Avenida Prof. Pinto de Aguiar, 2589. CEP 41740-090. Pituaçu, Salvador, BA, Brazil 2) Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia. Rodovia Ilhéus–Itabuna, km 16, CP 110. CEP 45662-900. Ilhéus, BA, Brazil 3) University of Kent at Canterbury; DICE – Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology; School of Anthropology and Conservation. Marlowe Building, Kent, CT2 7NZ, UK Corresponding author: Érica Fonseca, e-mail: [email protected] Manuscript received: 7 September 2013 Accepted: 22 January 2014 by Dennis Rödder Introducing alien species to other habitats can lead to Herein we report on the detection of P. guttatus at different deleterious effects on economy, human health and local localities in the Brazilian state of Bahia. wildlife (Vasconcellos 2001, Sax et al. 2007, Dechoum We recorded two specimens of Pantherophis guttatus 2009). However, the impacts of alien snake species are in the state of Bahia. The first record was obtained during poorly known. Some native species suffer due to the in- a survey in the municipality of Camaçari (-12.766809° S, troduction of the Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) to -38.187198° W) in 2001. The specimen was captured in a lo- Florida (Krysko et al. 2007, Engeman et al. 2011) and the cal grassland within the borders of a local protected area, introduction of the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) known as APA do Rio Capivara, at Arembepe, which lies that has long been affecting the populations of birds, mam- within an area of very high diversity in coastal Brazil – the mals, and lizards on the island of Guam (Pimentel et al.
[Show full text]
Pantherophis Gloydi Conant Eastern Fox Snake
Pantherophis gloydi Conant eastern fox snake State Distribution Photo by James H. Harding Best Survey Period Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Status: State threatened four main, isolated populations in southern Michigan, two in Monroe County along Lake Erie, one in St. Global and state rank: G5T3/S2 Clair County along Lake St. Clair, and one in Saginaw County associated with the Shiawassee River and its Family: Colubridae tributaries (Weatherby 1986). Range: The eastern fox snake resides entirely within Recognition: The eastern fox snake is boldly the Great Lakes basin. This species is restricted to the patterned with a row of large dark brown or black shoreline and near shore areas along southern Lake blotches down the middle of the back and smaller, Huron from Saginaw Bay, Michigan and Georgian Bay, alternating blotches on the sides on a yellowish Ontario south to the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair, to light brown background. The head varies in and along western Lake Erie from Monroe and Wayne color from yellow or light brown to reddish brown, counties in Michigan to Norfolk County, Ontario and usually with a dark band between the eyes, a band Erie County, Ohio (Harding 1997). Eastern fox snakes extending downward from the eye to the mouth, also have been documented from Pelee Island and and a band extending backwards from the eye to the some of the smaller islands in Lake Erie. The more corner of the mouth (Harding 1997). The underside common western subspecies (Elaphe vulpina vulpina) is yellowish with irregular rows of dark squarish occurs in the western Great Lakes basin from the spots.
[Show full text]
FEEDING OBSERVATION. the North American Rat Snake (P. Obsoletus) Is a Climber That Forages in Trees for Bird’S Nests and Squirrels (Ernst, & Ernst, 2003)
Natural History Notes PANTHEROPHIS OBSOLETUS OBSOLETUS (black rat snake): FEEDING OBSERVATION. The North American rat snake (P. obsoletus) is a climber that forages in trees for bird’s nests and squirrels (Ernst, & Ernst, 2003). Although predation on bird’s eggs is common (Ernst & Ernst, 2003), reports of simultaneous predation on a bird’s nest by two foraging P. obsoletus have not been reported. During a visit to Pennsylvania, United States in June 2013, a pair of P. obsoletus with estimated lengths of over 1 m were observed predating on nestlings of the American Robin, Turdus Figure 1. A pair of P. obsoletus predating on chicks migratorius (Harrison, 1975; Baicich, & of the American Robin T. migratorius in Port Mat- Harrison, 1997). The predation event is shown ilda, Pennsylvania, USA. in Fig. 1 and the location of the nest which was situated on the sill above the front door of a property on Kensington Drive, Port Matilda, State College, Pennsylvania (approximate co-ordinates: 40° 47′ 29″ N77° 51′ 31″ W) (is shown in Fig 2). The house was situated in an area with extensive open areas, dense deciduous woodland, network of small ponds and scrub areas and is typical rat snake habitat (Ernst & Ernst, 2003). The snakes were later removed to the surrounding woodland. Further observations of foraging P. obsoletus were observed within the grounds of the property on two additional occasions (12 and 17 June) but it is not known if these were the same individuals. Blouin- Demers and Weatherhead (2001) have suggested that forest clearing has increased the available Figure 2.
[Show full text]
Thirty-Nine Species of Snakes Inhabit Illinois, Dwelling in Forests, Grasslands
I l l i n o i s yellowbelly water snake Nerodia erythrogaster SNAKESSNAKES eastern hognose snake Heterodon platirhinos eastern worm snake Carphophis amoenus racer Coluber constrictor western ribbon snake Thamnophis proximus Graham’s crayfish snake Regina grahamii northern water snake Nerodia sipedon western mud snake Farancia abacura smooth earth snake Virginia valeriae common garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis redbelly snake Storeria occipitomaculata western fox snake Pantherophis vulpinus prairie kingsnake Lampropeltis calligaster bullsnake Pituophis catenifer diamondback water snake Nerodia rhombifer common kingsnake Lampropeltis getula red milk snake Lampropeltis triangulum syspila brown snake Storeria dekayi rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus black rat snake juvenile cottonmouth juvenile ringneck snake Diadophis punctatus black rat snake Pantherophis spiloides cottonmouth Agkistrodon piscivorus timber rattlesnake juvenile copperhead juvenile eastern massasauga juvenile timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix eastern massasauga Sistrurus catenatus Species List Family Colubridae This poster was made possible by: eastern worm snake Carphophis amoenus hirty-nine species of snakes inhabit Illinois, dwelling in forests, grasslands, marshes, swamps, ponds, racer Coluber constrictor ringneck snake Diadophis punctatus western mud snake Farancia abacura Illinois Department of Natural Resources lakes, streams, rivers, and sloughs. Some species are quite common, while others are very rare. These eastern hognose snake Heterodon platirhinos prairie kingsnake Lampropeltis calligaster Division of Education common kingsnake Lampropeltis getula Division of Natural Heritage reptiles are solitary predators that eat a variety of prey. Snakes have interesting structural features Classification: red milk snake Lampropeltis triangulum syspila T yellowbelly water snake Nerodia erythrogaster Illinois State Museum Kingdom Animalia diamondback water snake Nerodia rhombifer including the Jacobson’s organ, which is used to detect odors.
[Show full text]
Pantherophis Obsoletus
Pantherophis obsoletus Pantherophis obsoletus – also known as the western rat snake, black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black [3] snake – is a non-venomous species of Colubridae found in central North America. No subspecies are currently [4] [2] recognized. Its color variations include the Texas ratsnake. Geographic range Scientific Classification Pantherophis obsoletus is found west of the Mississippi River, from eastern and southern Iowa southward through Missouri and Arkansas to Kingdom: Anamalia western Louisiana, westward to eastern Texas, northward through Oklahoma and eastern Kansas to southeastern Nebraska.[5] Phylum: Cordata Class: Reptilia Aside from the usual variety that is black or has patches of black on a lighter background, color variations include the Texas rat snake, a brown-to- Order: Squamata black variant, often with tinges of orange or red, that can be found in Suborder: Serpentes southern Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana. Family: Colubridae Geunus Pantherophis Habitat Subgenus: P. obsoletus Rat snakes live in a variety of habitats; some overlap each other. Rat snakes are excellent climbers and spend time in trees. They live in habitats Binomial Name ranging from a rocky hillside to flat farmland.[6] Pantherophis obsoletus Preferred habitat (Say in James, 1823) It prefers heavily wooded areas and is known for having excellent climbing ability, including the ability to climb the trunk of large mature trees without Synonyms the aid of branches. This snake is a competent swimmer. During winter it hibernates in dens, often with copperheads and timber rattlesnakes. This association gave rise to one of its common names, pilot black snake, and • Coluber obsoletus the superstition that this nonvenomous species led the venomous ones to Say, 1823 the den.
[Show full text]
How to Keep Your Corn Snake Healthy, Happy and Safe!
COMPANION REPTILE CARE SERIES Always Most Common Disorders of Corn Snakes llBuy from a reputable breeder because a young, captive-bred corn Intestinal parasites snake is less stressed and more willing to eat than a frightened, wild- llDysecdysis (retained skin shed, retained eye spectacles) caught snake. llRespiratory infections llTake your new snake to a reptile veterinarian for a general health llStomatitis (infection in the mouth) exam and parasite test. llCloacal prolapse llLeave a newly purchased snake alone in its enclosure for 1-2 weeks llConstipation to acclimate to its new home. llDystocia/retained eggs llThe water bowl should be changed whenever it is dirty, or at least llExternal parasites (mites and ticks) once a week. llDystocia/retained eggs HOW TO llProvide heat to your snake by special reptile heating pads or llIntestinal parasites incandescent light bulbs in reflector hoods; the use of “hot rocks” in llCryptosporidiosis the snake’s enclosure should be avoided as they can cause serious llBite wounds from prey ll KEEP YOUR burns. Skin problems (“scale rot”) llInteract with your corn snake during the evening hours when it is llTrauma ll becoming active. Burns ll ll Inappetance CORN SNAKE Use a pillowcase or locking Tupperware container with holes in it as a transport container for short trips. Regular visits to your reptile veterinarian should be scheduled to HEALTHY, HAPPY Housing for your Corn Snake should: check for parasites and other early signs of disease and to promote a llbe a relatively large enclosure. long, satisfying relationship with your corn snake. For help in finding a llhave access to fresh water in a bowl that is large enough for the reptile veterinarian in your area, contact the Association of Reptilian AND SAFE! snake to soak.
[Show full text]
The Gardeners Unlikely Friend
The Gardener’s Unlikely Friend By Susan Camp Last month legendary groundhog (Marmota monax) Punxsutawney Phil came out of his burrow and reportedly saw his shadow, portending six more weeks of freezing cold and snow. The tradition of Groundhog Day, according to online sources, was brought to America in the 18th century by German farmers, who predicted winter’s length in their native land by observing a hedgehog or badger as it emerged from its den on Candlemas, which falls on February 2nd. In Celtic mythology, winter’s predictor was the goddess Brighid’s snake, which slithered from its mound on the festival of Imbolc, the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. If the snake was active, winter would soon be over. If the snake returned to its lair, winter would continue. The legend of Brighid’s snake caused me to think about how we often don’t appreciate our native snakes as gardeners’ and farmers’ helpers. Most of us have some erroneous ideas about snakes as aggressive animals, but most snakes are shy and prefer to be left alone. Every spring my husband and I are surprised by the freshly-shed skin of our old friend, the eastern ratsnake, usually adorning a hoe or rake in our potting shed. The eastern ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) ranges from the northern United States south to Florida and west as far as Texas. It is totally harmless to human beings. It was called the black ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) until 2008 and some resources continue to refer to it by that name.
[Show full text]
Pantherophis Guttatus • Common Names: Corn Snake, Red Rat Snake
Organismal Biology Organism-of-the-week: Pantherophis guttatus Common names: corn snake, red rat snake, chicken snake, etc. Arboreal=tree dwelling Species= Pantherophis guttatus o Common name: corn snake o Rules for species: . Binomen= two name . First name= Genus Always capitalized Always underlined OR italicized Plural: Genera . Second name= Specific Epithet Not capitalized Always underlined OR italicized Genus= Pantherophis o Common name: rate snake o Plural: Genera Family= Colubridae o Non-venomous snakes o Family usually ends in –idae or –aceae Order= Squamata o All snakes and lizards o Suborder= serpentes . Just snakes . Suborders usually start with: Sub-, super-, Infra- Class=Reptilia o Common name: reptiles Phlyum= Chordata o Common name: vertebrates and other chordates o Plural: Phyla Kingdom= Animalia o Common name: animals Biology= Study of life Bi= two o Plants and animals -ology= the study of Biodiversity= study of how organisms are different Survey Cladistics= common ancestry is the primary criterion used to classify organisms Clades= groups that contain an ancestral species and all of its descendents o Equal to a monophyletic group Monophyletic= single ancestor o Holophyletic= all descendents of the single ancestor o Paraphyletic= some but not all of descendents of the single ancestor o Monophylogeny is what we strive for Polyphyletic= more than one ancestor o (Not good) Plesiomorphic= around for a long time o Ancestral Apomorphic= newly evolved characteristic o Derived Symplesiomorphic= shared ancestral characteristic Synapomorphic= shared derived characteristics o This is what scientists want to avoid polyphyletic groups Autapomorphic= single unshared characteristic Systematics Taxonomy= the naming and classification of organisms o Taxon: the named taxonomic unit at any level of the hierarchy Example= snake Plural: taxa o Taxonomic revisions—why? (1) New information Molecular vs morphological Similarities among organisms o Analogous= common environment .
[Show full text]
American Corn Snake
Prohibited invasive animal American corn snakes could be in your area BoaAmericanCall constrictor Biosecurity corn Queensland snake on 13 25 23 if you see this pest CallCall BiosecurityBiosecurity Queensland Queensland immediately on 13 on25 13 23 25 if 23 you if you see see this this pestspecies American corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) • It is illegal to import, keep, breed or sell American corn snakes in Queensland. • They may carry new diseases. • Colour patterns may vary, but normally vivid reddish or orange blotches with black edges. • Predate on small mammals and reptiles. • Early detection helps protect Queensland’s natural environment. Description The American corn snake is an attractive reptile that is primarily nocturnal and highly variable in colour. Most adults display vivid reddish or orange blotches edged in black, on a grey or orange background. The colour intensifies with age. The snake reaches its adult length of 1–1.5 m within 3–5 years. Albino or light-coloured specimens are readily available in the American and European pet trade. The colouration pattern on the snake’s underside is similar to a variety of multi-coloured, ornamental corn. In its native region, the American corn snake lives in dry fields where it hunts for small mammals (e.g. mice), reptiles and insects. The snake is harmless to humans but will strike if disturbed to scare off predators. American corn snakes are constrictors, wrapping one or two coils around their prey and squeezing until the victim suffocates. Pest risk The American corn snake is a prohibited invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
[Show full text]
Taxonomy and Nomenclature of the Pantherophis Obsoletus Complex
POINTS OF VIEW 51 Herpetological Review, 2021, 52(1), 51–52. © 2021 by Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Taxonomy and Nomenclature of the Pantherophis obsoletus Complex In 1836, John Holbrook (1836) described and distinguished present article, however, is not to argue whether these taxa Coluber alleghaniensis and Coluber quadrivittatus of the eastern should be recognized as subspecies or as species. In either United States, both of which he considered distinct from the case, the three earliest names for the three taxa recognized previously described Coluber obsoletus found to the west. by Burbrink et al. (2020) are clearly obsoletus (for the earliest Holbrook noted many differences between the two forms he named, western lineage), alleghaniensis (for the blotched and described, and especially noted the differences in color pattern solid-colored snakes found between the Mississippi River and (alleghaniensis was solid black; quadrivittatus was yellowish with the fall line of the eastern seaboard, including the Appalachian/ brown stripes), their distribution (quadrivittatus was found on Alleghany Mountains), and quadrivittatus (for the striped snakes the coastal plain, from at least North Carolina to Florida, whereas found on coastal plain of the southern United States). Oddly, alleghaniensis was found “throughout the Alleghanies,” which at Burbrink et al. (2020) applied the names obsoletus, spiloides, and the time referred to the entire Appalachian Mountain range), and alleghaniensis to these three taxa, respectively. In other words, habits (Holbrook considered quadrivittatus to be more arboreal the taxon Holbrook named alleghaniensis, Burbrink et al. (2020) than alleghaniensis). Despite these differences, however, in the called spiloides, and the taxon Holbrook named quadrivittatus, second edition of his North American Herpetology, Holbrook Burbrink et al.
[Show full text]
St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Fish, Amphibian, Reptile and Mammal List
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Fish, Amphibian, Reptile and Mammal List photo: Debbie Hooper Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake The St. Vincent NWR was established in 1968. The primary feature of St. Vincent NWR is St. Vincent Island, a 12,300 acre undeveloped barrier island, located in Franklin County, Florida, at the west end of Apalachicola Bay. The island is triangular in shape, nine miles long, four miles wide at the east end and gradually forms a point at Indian Pass on the west end. The island is characterized by ridge and swale photo: Monica Harrisphoto: topography American Alligator with well developed wetland and upland habitats. The refuge manages both salt and fresh water wetlands including several impoundments to provide a mix of wetland habitats. The size and shape of the island and variety of habitats provides for a diversity of wildlife species not typically found on barrier islands in the area. The refuge also administers an 86 acre mainland tract in Franklin County and the 45 acre Pig Island in St. Joe Bay, Gulf County. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife St. Vincent NWR provides refuge for several Federally and State listed endangered and threatened species. St. Vincent Island is an “Island Propagation Site” for the Red Wolf Recovery Program. A red wolf pair is allowed to raise pups on the island which are removed when they reach 18 months of age and shipped to North Carolina to help augment the photo: USFWS photo: Red Wolf wild population. Occasionally, West Indian manatees are seen in the waters around the refuge.
[Show full text]