Aside from rattling their tails, Corn Snakes also move quickly when they’re feeling threatened. Since they don’t have legs, slithering is their only defense mechanism to defend themselves from predators.
With that said, how fast can a Corn snake go? An adult Corn snake moves at a maximum speed of 14 km/hr.
Of course, their speed depends on their age. Young Corn snakes can only move so much, considering that their bodies are smaller.
If you’re interested in the speed of Corn snakes, keep on reading!
The Different Speeds of Corn Snakes
In general, snakes can move because of their scales. Corn snakes, in particular, use their scales not only for moving but also for climbing trees and burrowing.
However, newly-hatched snakes don’t immediately have large scales that’ll help them propel themselves faster. Their scales only increase in size every time they shed.
1 – Juvenile Corn Snakes
Juvenile Corn snakes don’t move as much even though they’re precocial. Although in the wild, they tend to depend on their mother for protection so they just usually rest for long periods of time.
The only time they move quickly is when they’re hunting for food, or when they’re in their fight or flight response. When they’re at least a year old, they can move up to 6 km/hr.
Their speed eventually increases while maturing, and it can reach up to 9 km/hr. A Corn snake reaches complete maturity when they reach two years old.
2 – Adult Corn Snakes
Adult Corn snakes naturally have larger scales, hence faster movements. When they’re three years or older, their speed can go as fast as 12 km/h.
In addition, their maximum speed is 14 km/h. Though this only happens in the wild because there are lots of threats they can encounter, compared to when they’re in captivity.
Moreover, they normally don’t move at this rate. All snakes, no matter what species they are, also get exhausted especially after eating or when they’re molting.
Again, they only move fast when they’re defending themselves from predators.
How Far Can a Corn Snake Travel?
Corn snakes definitely move fast, considering that their maximum speed is 14 kilometers per hour. However, snakes don’t have much energy in their body.
Most of their energy goes to food digestion, and snakes take at least five days or even weeks before they completely digest their food. This process alone already exhausts them, which leaves no room for traveling.
As much as possible, Corn snakes only want to travel as little as possible even though they’re fast.
In general, Corn snakes only travel for three to five kilometers in their lifetime. Still, they can travel farther than five kilometers, especially when they’re in the wild where predators are constantly hunting them.
When Do Corn Snakes Travel Farther Than Usual?
Corn snakes only travel farther than usual because of different factors that affect their survival. Of course, this is only applicable to Corn snakes that are out in the wild, because chances of survival in captivity are higher.
1 – Incompatible Habitat
Typically, Corn snakes inhabit forested areas, overgrown fields, and rocky hillsides. This is because they love climbing trees, and burrowing in the soil where they can find their prey.
Additionally, they enjoy humid areas. If they’re in an area that doesn’t have any trees or an area whose temperature is lower than 75°F, then they will travel farther than usual.
2 – Lack of Resources
Corn snakes, just like all snakes, need a water source and a place where they can bask. Moreover, in the wild, they eat rats, squirrels, birds, and even eggs.
Furthermore, competition among species in the wild leads to reduced resources. If the area they’re residing in doesn’t give them the essential items they need to survive, they’ll migrate to a different place.
3 – Day Time
Corn snakes are active during the day. For them, this is the perfect time to hunt for their prey by slithering into tall weeds, and other vegetation.
By doing so, they can cover large areas that are farther than five kilometers. As long as they haven’t found their prey, they’ll keep moving.
After a long period of time of hunting, they’ll eventually look for an area where they can cool down.
4 – Mating Season
Snakes are more active during the mating season. For Corn snakes, their mating season lasts from March to May.
During this time, snakes will bask in the sun because they’re trying to raise their body temperature. A higher body temperature means they’ll be more active to find mates.
It’s natural for them to travel farther than usual during this season because they’re not only looking to produce offspring. They’re also hunting for food because the mating season’s succeeded by winter months. So, they’re trying to regain all of the energy lost by hibernating.
Final Thoughts
Now, how fast can a Corn snake go? Their maximum speed is almost the same as a person jogging, which is 14km/h.
Although it’s rare for them to exert a lot of effort in traveling because they don’t want to waste energy.
If they can find their basic necessities such as shelter, basking area, and food within close proximity, they wouldn’t leave the place.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Film/Video/Media Studies, as well as an associates degree in Communications. I began producing videos and musical recordings nearly 15 years ago. I am a guitarist and bassist in Southwest MI and have been in a few different bands since 2009, and in 2012 I began building custom guitars and basses in my home workshop as well. When I’m home, I love spending time with my three pets (a dog, cat, and snake) and gardening in my backyard. I also like photographing wild birds, especially birds of prey.