There are many more harmless than venomous snakes in North America. One
of the handsomest of its tribe is the corn snake, belonging to the
family of the Colubrinae. As it avoids the daylight, though very
common, it is not often seen in a wild state.
It is, however, frequently tamed by the inhabitants of farmhouses--when
it makes itself perfectly at home, and is even of more service than a
cat in devouring rats and mice; though occasionally, if a young chicken
come in its way, it may gobble it up. This it can easily do, as it is
of great size--varying from five to six feet in length. The colours of
its body are remarkably brilliant; the general tint being a rich
chestnut red, with large patches of a still brighter and deeper red
edged with black running along each side, and a second row of smaller
spots of golden yellow, alternated with larger ones. The lower portion
of the body is silvery white, checkered with black.