środa, 18 maja 2011

Snakes - The Corn Snake


The Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata), or Red Rat Snake, is a North American species of Rat Snake that subdues its small prey by constriction. The name "Corn Snake" is a holdover from the days when southern farmers stored harvested ears of corn in a wood frame or log building called a crib. Rats and mice came to the corn crib to feed on the corn, and Corn Snakes came to feed on the rodents. The Oxford English Dictionary cites this usage as far back as 1676. Corn Snakes are found throughout the southeastern and central United States. Their docile nature, reluctance to bite, moderate adult size 3.9–5.9 feet (1.2–1.8 m), attractive pattern, and comparatively simple care make them popular pet snakes. In the wild, they usually live around 6-8 years, but in captivity can live to be up to 23 years old.

Wild Corn Snakes prefer habitats such as overgrown fields, forest openings, trees, palmetto flatwoods and abandoned or seldom-used buildings and farms, from sea level to as high as 6,000 feet. Typically, these snakes remain on the ground, but can ascend trees, cliffs and other elevated surfaces.They can be found in the southeastern United States ranging from New Jersey to the Florida keys and as far west as Texas.

In colder regions, snakes hibernate during winter. However, in the more temperate climate along the coast they shelter in rock crevices and logs during cold weather, and come out on warm days to soak up the heat of the sun, a process known as brumation. During cold weather, snakes are less active and therefore hunt less.

15 komentarzy:

  1. I've seen noe of them next to the woods =S it was a small one though. Nice description =)

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  2. Another species we had in school terrarium. I liked these little creepers, not dangerous but very colorful and nice to watch

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  3. Wow, they're pretty long lived! I like snakes like this. Always liked the King snake, especially for it's banding (which resembles that of an Eastern Coral snake).

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  4. Heh. I feel lucky there aren't many snakes where i live.

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  5. I'm extremely scared of snakes D:

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  6. The only good snake is a dead one.

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  7. i like snakes, at least from distance

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  8. I LOVE reptiles! I had an Iguana, it died a year ago because of an infection I never noticed, he was 8 years old already :'), corn snakes are beautiful, thank you for sharing, following!

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  9. lol what a weird name for a snake... Corn lol, then again we have a snake called the king brown snake lol

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  10. buah! i hate snakes. i cant stand them :o

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  11. Fascinating, never knew that about corn snakes

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  12. Any chance you could do like some really big long snakes?

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  13. I have enough of snakes.
    One time i saw a rattlesnake and i was really scared <.<

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  14. Cool colours, I wouldnt mind one as a pet

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