Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by themubbi63
One of many different kinds of rat snakes in the world, the corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is also called the red rat snake because of the color of its scales. Why is it called the corn snake? Well, there seems to be some debate about it. However, the majority seems to think it’s because of the markings on the body of the snake, which looks like kernels of corn. These snakes can grow to pretty big sizes.
Corn Snake Length
These snakes are often orange or brown in color and have large red splotches all down their backs. These snakes can vary quite a lot in size, ranging from about 24 inches all the way to 72 inches.
However, 72 inches is on the larger side for one of these snakes. An average adult corn snake is about 60 inches in length.
There isn’t much difference in size between a male and a female corn-snake. Males might be slightly larger and may have some darker streaks. But if you do see a corn-snake in the wild, it would be practically impossible to know if it’s a male or a female.
| Animal | Inches | Centimeters |
| Corn-Snake | 24 – 72 | 61 – 182 |
Corn Snake Weight
Corn snakes aren’t a very heavy species of snake, given their size. Even though some adult corn-snakes can grow to be 6 feet in length, they aren’t typically more than 1 – 2 lb in weight.
Corn snakes grow at a slow rate so you won’t notice its growth much unless you’re keeping a close eye. 2 lb is the maximum limit for a fully grown snake.
| Animal | Pounds | Kilograms |
| Corn Snake | 1 – 2 | 0.45 – 0.9 |
Corn-Snake Clutch Size
Corn-snakes usually reach sexual maturity by the time they’re 30 inches long and about 0.55 lb (0.25 kg) in weight. It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with size. At this point, the snakes can mate and the female corn snake can produce eggs.
A female corn snake has an average clutch size of 12 – 24 eggs. After she lays them, she leaves them behind. The hatchlings are born after 10 weeks and are independent from birth itself.
Corn Snake Hatchling Size
At the time that the hatchling cracks the eggshell and emerges, it only measures around 5 inches or 13 cm long. By the time that the hatchling reaches 6 months of age and enters its juvenile phase, it can grow to anywhere between 8 and 15 inches (20 – 38 cm).
Corn-Snake Juvenile Size
A juvenile snake is a snake that is between 6 months and 1 year of age. During this time, the snake usually doubles its size and grows to be about 15 – 30 inches (38 – 76 cm) long. Corn-snakes will continue to grow until they reach adulthood at either 2 or 3 years of age.
Corn Snake Full Size
Most fully grown corn snakes average a length of 40 to 60 inches (102 – 152.4 cm) although there are smaller and larger specimens. After their first year, their growth rate slows down. But they don’t reach adulthood till 2 or 3 years of age.
The lifespan of a corn snake is pretty long. In captivity, the oldest corn reached the age of 32 years and 3 months. Naturally, in the wild, their lifespan is shorter.
Corn Snake Comparison to Humans
If you compare the length of corn to the height of a human being, there would be a lot more variation within the snakes than within the humans. However, the average human being stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches (170 – 175 cm).
Compared to that, the average corn is about 5 feet (152 cm) in length. It isn’t the biggest or most muscular of snakes and that shows in this comparison.
Related Article: King Cobra Size Explained & Compared With Others
Corn Snake Vs Venomous Copperhead Size Comparison
A snake that the corn snake often gets mistaken for because of the similar size and markings? The venomous copperhead or the eastern copperhead. This is sad for the corn because it sometimes gets killed for this mistake, even though it’s quite harmless and a non-venomous snake.
Most adult venomous copperheads grow to a size of 20 – 37 inches (50 – 95 cm). This is on the smaller side for the corn but it’s easy to see why people might mistake one with the other.
The copperheads usually weigh between 101.5 and 343 g (3.58 – 12.09 oz) while corn-snakes are considerably heavier at 450 – 900 g (15.87 – 31.74 oz).
| Animal | Length | Weight |
| Corn Snake | 24 – 72 inches (61 – 182 cm) | 450 – 900 g (15.87 – 31.74 oz) |
| Venomous Copperhead | 20 – 37 inches (50 – 95 cm) | 101.5 – 343 g (3.58 – 12.09 oz) |
Corn Snake Vs Ball Python Size Comparison
Both corn and ball pythons are popular snakes to keep as pets in the United States. Thus, it’s important to get an idea about their dimensions and the kind of sizes these snakes grow to.
Ball pythons are definitely the heavier of the two, even if the length of the two snakes is more or less the same. Ball pythons measure about 36 – 72 inches (91 – 182 cm) in length as compared to the 24 – 72 inches (61 – 182 cm) of the corn.
As far as weight is concerned, the ball python usually weighs over a kg, often reaching weights of 1.56 – 1.63 kg (3.4 – 3.6 lb). The corn snake, on the other hand, doesn’t even make it to a kg, ranging from 0.45 to 0.9 kg (1 – 2 lb).
| Animal | Length | Weight |
| Corn-Snake | 24 – 72 inches (61 – 182 cm) | 1 – 2 lb (0.45 – 0.9 kg) |
| Ball Python | 36 – 72 inches (91 – 182 cm) | 3.4 – 3.6 lb (1.56 – 1.63 kg) |
Related Article: Burmese Python Size Explained & Compared To Others
Conclusion
Corn snakes are manageable pets, reaching a comfortable size of 4-5 feet. Their long lifespan and docile nature make them popular choices. So, don’t be fooled by look-alikes – copperheads are smaller and venomous!
FAQs
Can you tell the difference between a corn snake and a copperhead?
Yes! Corn snakes are larger (40-72 inches) than copperheads (20-37 inches) and weigh more. Look for a dark blotch on the copperhead’s head, absent on corn snakes.
Are corn snakes bigger than ball pythons?
They can be the same length (up to 6 feet) but ball pythons are much heavier (over 3 lbs) compared to corn snakes (1-2 lbs).