Pantherophis

Pantherophis is a genus of nonvenomous constrictor snakes, family Colubridae, comprising 10 recognized species, endemic to central and eastern North America, with individual species ranging from the southeastern United States through the Great Plains to northeastern Mexico. Members are large terrestrial snakes distinguished by a divided cloacal plate, more than 30 rows of dorsal scales with at least some keeled, and by lacking subocular scales. The genus has a fossil record extending back roughly 16.3 million years to the Middle Miocene. The corn snake, Pantherophis guttatus, is the most recognizable species and a popular pet due to widely available captive-bred animals, low maintenance care and a wide variety of color morphs; other species include the western rat snake, yellow rat snake and several fox snakes occupying different regional niches across North America.