How to Spot a Corn Snake

A corn snake, which resemblesIndian corn, is common in the southern and eastern parts of the United States. It's sometimes called a red rat snake. When running across a snake in the wild, you need to determine whether it's dangerous or not. You can spot a corn snake in several ways.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Maintain a safe distance from the snake to avoid biting or other possible injury.

2. Check the size of the snake. Corn snakes average 3 to 4 feet as adults, though some can grow to as long as 5 feet. A hatchling is typically between 9 to 14 inches.

3. Remember this phrase, "Red touch yellow, kill a fellow. Red touch black, venom lack." A venomous coral snake is the reason for this old saying. Sometimes people confuse corn snakes with coral snakes, but the pattern of their colors is different.

4. Spot a corn snake by its color pattern. This type of snake typically has red blotches with black outlines and background colors that vary from yellow, gray or tan, while their bellies have a checkerboard of black and white.

5. Look at the head of the snake. It should be reddish in color, not black like the coral snake. The head isn't wider than the body.

Tips & Warnings

• Corn snakes make excellent first pets.
• Never handle an unknown snake.
• Even a non-venomous snake can strike.

Resources

• Learn about snakes and animal care at the Pet Supplies Plus website.
• Find information on snakes and lizards.