Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What are the differences between the corn and the king? Do Corn snakes eat other snakes?

Kramer,

Corns and Ratsnakes (the Genus Elaphe) are not snake eaters per se but they are fairly close relatives of Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis). My guess is that some rats and corns would snatch up a much smaller snake if they could...the folks on the Corn Snake Forum could tell you much more. Corn snakes themselves are a favorite food of one of the most annoying snakes you'll ever catch...a coachwhip.

Both are medium-sized snakes (up to about 6' in general), both are constrictors and both eat rodents and other small mammals, birds, other reptiles (except for corns and rats which are not true snake-eaters) and some amphibians. One difference is that Corns, and especially rat snakes, like to spend time above the ground - in other words they are somewhat arboreal. Kings are primarily ground-dwelling or terrestrial snakes. Rats and corns tend to be more of an ambush predator too while kings are search and destroy snakes! Corns and rats have a divided anal plate (kings do not) and they also have specialized ventral, or belly scales that allow them to climb trees and the like.

North American Corns, and to a lesser extent, rat snakes tend to be docile snakes and probably a better first snake than kings. One advantage to having corns or rats is that if you have more than one they can share a home whereas you can't do that with kings unless eventually want one large kingsnake!

Like I say, the Corn Snake Forum folks can tell you a bunch more than I can. There's also a cheap books on corns and rats called "Corn snakes and other rat snakes" by Bartlett and Bartlett

-John

Do you have any specific questions regarding corns and kings, we may be able to give you more of what you are looking for. Are you comparing the two for possible purchase or just curious about the differences between two different species?

Looking at purchasing another snake after a recent move. I have owned Kings before but was looking at corns because that is what is available in this area. I am probably going to get a grey banded king.