Reptiles of North Carolina
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NC Records

Pantherophis guttatus - Red Cornsnake


Photo: Randy Newman
Photo: Randy Newman
Taxonomy
Class: Reptilia Order: Serpentes Family: Colubridae Subfamily: Colubrinae Other Common Name(s): Corn Snake
Taxonomic Comments: Pantherophis, as currently considered, consists of 8 species of medium-to-large colubrid snakes native to the eastern United States, Midwest, and northeastern Mexico.

The taxonomy of the genus Pantherophis was in flux for many years, only stabilizing fairly recently. Initially, all North American ratsnakes and cornsnakes were included in a broader definition of the genus Elaphe, and many older texts (and some newer ones) retain this genus name. Utiger et al. (2002) revalidated Pantherophis and restricted Elaphe to the Eastern Hemisphere, but it took some time to gain consistent use. As it stands, all ratsnakes and cornsnakes native to North America are within the genus Pantherophis.

Species Comments: Pantherophis guttatus, the Red Cornsnake, is one of two Pantherophis in North Carolina. Previously, P. guttatus was considered widespread across the southeastern United States and Mexico; however, molecular studies by Burbrink (2002) showed that this was a complex of three species; this work elevated P. emoryi to species status for most populations west of the Mississippi River, and described P. slowinskii, restricted to a small area along the Gulf of Mexico and west of the Mississippi in Lousiana and Texas. Some older texts still refer to the Cornsnake in North Carolina as "Elaphe guttata".

This species is found in the Eastern United States in disjunct poulations from New Jersey south to southern Florida, and west to the Mississippi. In North Carolina, P. guttatus is found primarily in the southern portion of the state, throughout the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountains. Records are absent from large portions of the northern Coastal Plain and Piedmont, despite this taxon also being distributed throughout central and eastern Virginia (though also absent in southern Virginia).

The generic epithet Pantherophis is derived from the Greek panther, "panther", and ophis, "snake". The specific epithet guttatus is from the Latin gutta, meaning "spotted" or "dappled".

Taxonomic References: Burbrink (2002), but see Marshall et al. (2021).
Identification
Description: Cornsnakes are moderately large, slender snakes with fairly large heads somewhat distinct from the neck. They feature multiple orange-brown to reddish dorsal blotches on an orange to gray dorsum. The anterior-most blotch extends onto the head, forming a black-bordered "spear"-like shape that extends to the frontal between the eyes. Dark stripes are also apparent running from the eye to the neck. The venter is black and white in a checkered pattern. Labial scales are white, with dark margins.
Morphological Features: Cornsnakes typically have a pattern of 25 anterior, 27 midbody, and 19 posterior scale rows; middorsal scale rows are typically weakly keeled, while laterally they become smooth. Ventral counts range from 201-245 (206-237 in NC specimens; Palmer and Braswell, 1995), with 47-81 (57-76) subcaudals and a divided anal plate. Head scale counts are typically as follows: 8 supralabials, 11 or 12 infralabials, 1 loreal, 2 nasals, 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, and 2+3 temporals. Palmer and Braswell (1995) noted variation in scalation across multiple specimens in NC.

Juvenile Cornsnakes have mostly smooth scales.

Cornsnakes have a maximum recorded total length of 182.9 cm (72 inches). Palmer and Braswell (1995) reported a 163.1 cm male specimen from NC. Tail lengths account for approximately 13-18% of total length. Males reach larger sizes than females, have larger, thicker tails, and more rows of keeled scales.

Cornsnakes lack enlarged, grooved posterior teeth or Duvernoy's glands, meaning they are incapable of producing venom. Cornsnakes may "rear" back when threatened, and will strike and vibrate their tails. Though they may cause minor bleeding from bites, they are essentially harmless to humans and pets.
Technical Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003).
Field Guide Descriptions: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Ernst (2003); Beane et al. (2010).
Online Photos:    Google   iNaturalist   GBIF
Observation Methods: Cornsnakes are semi-arboreal, and may be found climbing trees, shrubs, buildings, and birdhouses. They may also be found opportunistically on roads, or captured in drift fences. Although sometimes described as "chiefly nocturnal" (e.g., Palmer and Braswell, 1995), they may be occasionally found active during the day.
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Key Habitat Requirements
Habitat: Corn Snakes are most common in dry-mesic Longleaf Pine flatwoods and sandridges in the Coastal Plain (Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Beane et al., 2010). Habitats used in the Piedmont and Mountains is less well understood, but appear to include both forests and open habitats. Floodplain forests, however, appear rarely used (Palmer and Braswell, 1995).
Life History and Autecology
Breeding and Courtship: Per Ernst and Ernst (2003), female Cornsnakes reach sexual maturity at snout-to-vent lengths greater than 53 cm. Mating occurs in the spring and early summer (March to June), with most North Carolina records in May
Reproductive Mode: Cornsnakes are oviparous and typically lay eggs in summer (June to July) that hatch in late summer (August to September). Clutches average 13 white, leathery, elongate, partially adherent eggs that average 36 mm long.

Hatchlings are approximately 30 cm in total length, and weigh approximately 7 g (Ernst and Ernst, 2003).
Terrestrial Life History: Palmer and Braswell (1995) describe cornsnakes as “chiefly nocturnal”; while most activity is at night, we have also found Cornsnakes active in the morning or cooler afternoons. During warmer months they will typically be sheltering in stump holes, burrows, or man-made structures during the day. At night, they may be found active on the ground or crossing roads, and are strong climbers, often seen several meters off the ground in trees or on buildings. Cornsnakes have been recorded year-round in North Carolina, with most records from April–June.

Home range estimates are not known from North Carolina. Populations in southern Georgia and northern Florida averaged 10.7 hectares (107,000 m2) home ranges, and males were found to have larger home ranges than females (Stapleton, 2005).
General Ecology
Adverse Environmental Impacts
Status in North Carolina
NHP State Rank: S5
Global Rank: G5

Photo Gallery for Pantherophis guttatus - Red Cornsnake

26 photos are shown.

Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Robert Russo
Burke Co.
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Recorded by: Robert Russo
Burke Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Robert Russo
Burke Co.
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Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Columbus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields
Richmond Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain
Stanly Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Travis McLain
Stanly Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain
Stanly Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
New Hanover Co.
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Recorded by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Craven Co.
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Recorded by: W. Morris
Wayne Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: J. A. Anderson
Surry Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: P. Terry
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: NEW, T. Heffner
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Eddie Brosseau
Wayne Co.
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Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bleck and S. Bland
Onslow Co.
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Recorded by: Newman, Randy
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Zach Barfield, Chris Helms
Columbus Co.
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Recorded by: Newman, Randy
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: C. Dykstra
Beaufort Co.
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Recorded by: J. Shimel
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Hart, Mary Stevens, Patrick Hart, Steven Hart
Harnett Co.
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