Corn Snake

04.24.2006 - The Corn Snake, Elaphe guttata guttata, is probably the 2nd most common snake that I find and remove here in Central Florida.  I consider it the prettiest snake that I deal with.  It has a beautiful red and orange pattern, and the belly is white with black keyboard markings, from which it gets its name (apparently the markings look like maize, although I'd have named this snake the piano snake on the basis of its belly).  Many people associate brightly colored animals with poison, and it's true that many critters in nature that choose to stand out via their coloring are poisonous.  This is named aposematic coloration. The most common configuration amongst animals is camouflage, and is called cryptic coloration, with good reason, and so brightly colored critters, who stand out and are easily spotted by prey, generally want to stand out, to call attention to fact that if they do get attacked or eaten, it will be an unpleasant meal.   But not the Corn Snake, it's harmless.  However, I understand why so many people assume that it's a dangerous snake.  As usual, I simply stroll up to it like the big brave man I am, and pick it up and give it a gentle caress.  The fact of the matter is that this snake is one of the most docile snakes in Florida.  I've only seen on bite once, and that was when the guy swung it in circles by its tail, and it retaliated.  I always treat snakes gently and respectfully, and they don't bite.  This snake is so pretty and docile, in fact, that it was one of the very first snakes to be kept in captivity, and its still one of the most popular pet snakes.

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