​Natural History
LIFE
Female corn snakes lay approximately 15-20 eggs. These eggs tend to be laid in stumps, logs, or burrows that are warm and humid. Corn snakes are born roughly two to three months after the female snakes lays her eggs. These snakes grow into mild-mannered creatures with large brown and red-orange spots that run along the backside of their body, with their bellies having a black and white checkered pattern. By the time the young snakes are adults, they are approximately 18-44 inches in length, and male corn snakes tend to be larger than female corn snakes. At 16-18 months of age, female corn snakes are able to begin laying eggs. Corn snakes' mating season in the months of April-June. Adult corn snakes can live up to 22 years in captivity, but it is unknown how long they live in the wild. Generally, male corn snakes have longer lifespans than female corn snakes.

HABITAT AND RANGE
Corn snakes live in habitats ranging from deciduous forests, fields, grassy areas to suburban areas near homes and barns. They can even be found in mountains up to almost 6000 feet in elevation. For nesting and basking, they particularly enjoy rocks and logs. This makes corn snakes most suitable to the eastern United States, particularly the southeastern states. Corn snakes can even be found in Northern Mexico.

DIET
Corn snakes are best known for eating primarily rodents. They will also eat birds, bird eggs, small reptiles, and small amphibians. To kill their prey, corn snakes strike their prey and then pull the prey into their bodies, unless the prey is too large. In this case, they pull themselves onto the prey and wrap their bodies around it.

CONSERVATION STATUS
Corn snakes, in general, have a stable population and are not on the endangered species list. However, in certain states, habitat destruction and loss have led to the snakes becoming endangered in specific areas. You can look up your state to find out if corn snakes are endangered near you.


SOURCE: Wildlife in Minnesota. (2020, February
19). Retrieved July 14, 2020, from
https://carpenternaturecenter.org/plan-yourvisit/
meet-our-animals/

Reese's Story
Reese became a part of the Hartman Reserve family in December of 2023. Reese is a non-native, friendly domesticated snake who was adopted as a baby from Aquatics & Exotics in Waterloo, Iowa. She serves as an excellent example of the diversity of snakes throughout the United States, We love watching her grow!