Corn Snakes (Elaphe Guttata Guttata) are a member of the large family of snakes called Colubridae. Colubridae includes species such as bulls, pines, garters, kings and others. The first part of their Latin name is called their genus. Corn snakes share their genus with close relatives such as fox snakes and rat snakes.

Corns are fairly small constrictors, which are most active at dusk, dawn and during the night. Their habitat ranges from thick woodland to more open fields across the south-eastern quarter of the United States. Corn snakes got their common name because they are regularly seen around storage structures for corn where there is a good supply of rodents, the corns main prey.

Corn snakes come in several different colours, or cultivars, in the wild but, through selective breeding, several breeders such as Rich Zuchowski and Kathy Love have been able to produce new colour morphs such as lavender and miami phase. The array of colours seems to be endless so who knows what the future holds for the humble corn snake.

Corns are widely recognised as the ideal beginners' snake because they are easy to care for in comparison with other snakes and reptiles and they are, as a general rule, very tame creatures and most seem to enjoy being handled. They are also good for beginners because of the wide range of colours they come in and because they seem to provoke interest of all reptiles in their owners.

If you are looking for a pet reptile that you can take out of its cage and hold then a corn would be your best bet. With regular handling they can become freakishly tame and they all have personalities of their own which are a joy to experience.