Meet Cornelia, Our Corn Snake!
Cornelia is a calm, observant corn snake and one of the animal ambassadors who calls the Nature Nook home. Corn snakes are nonvenomous constrictors native to the United States. Their gentle nature, beautiful markings, and important role in controlling rodent populations make them fascinating members of our local ecosystems.
Where Do Corn Snakes Live?
Corn snakes are commonly found throughout the southeastern and central United States. They live in forests, fields, rocky areas, and overgrown spaces—and may even shelter in barns and other buildings where mice are plentiful.
Built to Climb
Although corn snakes spend much of their time on the ground, they are excellent climbers. Their strong muscles and specially arranged belly scales help them grip rough surfaces and move through branches, logs, and rocky spaces.
A Patient Predator
Corn snakes are nonvenomous. They capture prey with their mouths and wrap their bodies around it, using constriction to prevent it from breathing. In the wild, they primarily eat mice and other small rodents, helping keep those populations under control.
What’s in a Name?
Cornelia’s name is a playful nod to the fact that she is a corn snake. It also fits Annmarie Garden’s tradition of giving our animal ambassadors art-inspired names—Cornelia shares her name with contemporary British artist Cornelia Parker.
Why Are They Called Corn Snakes?
No one knows for certain! The name may come from the snakes’ tendency to appear near cornfields and grain stores, where rodents gather. Another explanation points to the checkered pattern on their bellies, which resembles kernels of colorful corn.
