Pantherophis guttatus (non-venomous)

Corn snakes are a snake many of you may be familiar with.  This species is commonly seen in the pet trade and is sometimes seen around our neighborhood.  Corn snakes look similar to Eastern Rat Snakes, and are sometimes even called Red rat snakes, but are generally shorter reaching only about 4 feet in length.  Also, they have a red or orange coloration, unlike the yellows and grays of Eastern rat snakes.  Corn snakes also have a checkerboard pattern on their belly, which Eastern rat snakes do not.  Like Eastern rat snakes, corn snakes can be found in almost any habitat that has abundant prey such as lizards and rodents and are frequently observed around farms and residential areas.