The illegal pet trade resulted in an unregulated invasion

The illegal pet trade has a devastating impact on the ecosystem. One of its consequences has been the unregulated spread of the red rat snake beyond its native habitats in North America, enabling it to establish new colonies in different regions. 

In Australia, the corn snake is listed as an invasive species. The species appears to thrive despite capturing 79 of them between 2002 and 20141.

They are not venomous

Corn snakes, like many colubrid snakes, are not venomous because they lack the specialized glands and fangs required for venom production and delivery. Instead, they are constrictors, which means they subdue their prey through constriction rather than venom injection. Corn snakes have powerful muscles and flexible bodies that can overpower their game.

A corn snake detects potential prey by using its keen sense of smell and flicking its tongue to pick up scent particles in the air. When the time is right, the corn snake strikes, seizing the prey with its sharp teeth and coiling its body around it. They then swallow their prey whole, usually head first.

Corn snakes eat small mammals

Corn snakes' preferred diet consists primarily of small mammals, particularly rodents. In the wild, they commonly feed on mice, rats, and other small rodents suitable for their size. Studies on the feeding habits of corn snakes suggest that they play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations.

Corn snakes are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat a variety of prey when available. Apart from rodents, they may consume unguarded bird eggs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Corn snakes eat small mammals

Corn snakes' preferred diet consists primarily of small mammals, particularly rodents. In the wild, they commonly feed on mice, rats, and other small rodents suitable for their size. Studies on the feeding habits of corn snakes suggest that they play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations.

Corn snakes are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat a variety of prey when available. Apart from rodents, they may consume unguarded bird eggs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)

The Corn Snake has a distinctive reddish-orange, brown, and gray pattern resembling kernels of Indian maize. Likewise, black-bordered red splotches on their back and sides contrast sharply against their vibrant colors.

These types of snakes are skilled climbers who often explore the treetops, though they prefer the ground as their natural habitat. They also help balance the ecosystem by controlling potential rodent problems.

Corn Snakes become less active during winter but do not enter a complete dormancy like certain snake species. Like most snake species, they emerge at night but can appear unexpectedly during the daytime if the temperature is cool enough.

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

Acorn Woodpeckers feature a black-and-white pattern with a red cap, while their faces have a detailed black, white, and red pattern. Their unique facial features, which include striking white eyes surrounded by black, white, and red patterns, have earned them the title of jesters of the bird world.

Living in the Western United States oak woodlands, Acorn Woodpeckers are known to hoard and eat acorns, similar to squirrels. They drill precise holes in trees to store each acorn, sometimes resulting in thousands of acorns stored in a single tree. 

Likewise, these woodpeckers have a diverse diet that includes insects, sap, fruits, and sometimes even bird eggs or small animals.

Corn Earworm Moth

Scientific name: Helicoverpa zea.
This moth species belongs to the family of Noctuidae. The larvae of Helicoverpa zea, corn earworm, is a major agricultural pest. The moth measures 3.2 to 4.5cm in wingspan. The corn earworm moth has different common names like cotton bollworm and tomato fruitworm.

This moth is particularly destructive as it targets the most important parts of a plant for food. As insignificant as it might seem, the economic costs of this moth type are over $250 million per year in the United States.

Acorn weevil (Curculio glandium)

Most people see weevils as terrible creatures. But a close-up view of the acorn weevil could make you love weevils.  With its big eyes, a comical nose, and golden brown fuzz, it is one of the cutest bugs ever.

Baby acorn weevils greatly damage acorn seeds, eating them up completely. The best way to keep them from spoiling acorn seeds is to boil the seed at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.