Corn Snakes in Iowa

Corn snakes are found in much of the viable farmland of the United States, particularly in the East and the South. They come to cribs and other places where corn is stored to feast on the rodents that eat the corn. Though corn snakes are extremely rare to nonexistent in the wild in Iowa, farmers can, with certain consideration, keep them as pets or release them into their barns. While many people are afraid of snakes, knowing the docile nature and helpful benefits of the corn snake can ease fears.

  1. Habitat

    • Corn snakes are usually found in the country, especially in farmland. They prefer places like abandoned barns to congregate, but also hunt in open fields, grasslands and forest openings. Though they are mainly ground-dwellers, they have been known to ascend trees or cliffs to hunt prey or escape danger. In Iowa, an abundance of flat grassland plays host to many of the state's rat snakes, a close relative to the corn snake. In Iowa, a corn snake would be best placed in an area where it can be sheltered from severe weather, like a barn or crib. Corn snakes are hardy and take well to many environments, as long as local predators are considered. Such predators of the corn snake that exist in Iowa are large birds and other snakes.

    Nature

    • Corn snakes are generally docile, especially when food is plentiful and conditions are desirable for snake growth. They will avidly avoid confrontation with humans and will not often bite unless seriously provoked. Rodents are abundant In the cornfields of Iowa and as such, corn snakes can hunt the fields while steering clear of human confrontation. Since they are constrictors, their bite is non-venomous and not used for anything but warding off predators and gripping dying prey.

    Diet

    • Corn snakes will make rodents their main source of food if available. If unavailable, corn snakes can also consume lizards or frogs, depending on what the environment offers them. Because their diet consists of pests, farmers are generally happy to have them around, and may even intentionally buy and release them where needed. Though the snakes are smaller than other species of constrictors, they still eat large rats and mice. Though rodent species may differ slightly between the corn home habitat and those in Iowa, the snakes will adapt quickly. If being kept as a pet, your local pet store can advise you on what to feed them.

    Pets

    • Due to their nature, simple diet and abundant patterns of coloration and markings, corn snakes have become highly desirable pets. Keeping a corn snake is simple, as they don't require any special temperature or humidity considerations. It is better to buy a pet snake from an established breeder than to capture one, for both legal reasons and the health of the snake. In addition, captive bred snakes are almost always more tame. There are a number of established herpetologists in Iowa you may be able to meet with to discuss corn snakes.