Science Projects with Corn Snakes

Corn snakes are a species of snake that grow to between two and six feet long. These orange or brownish-yellow snakes have large red blotches outlined by black lines along their backs and rows of black-and-white markings in a checkerboard pattern on their bellies. Science projects concerning these creatures can be creative, inventive and informational.

Diet

You could focus your science project around the diet of the corn snake. These snakes do not feed daily; young corn snakes eat lizards and tree frogs whereas older corn snakes eat mice, birds, bats and rats. You could draw pictures of the snake, with a cross-section taken of its stomach, so that the viewer can see what is inside. You could build a model of a corn snake, as well as models of the types of foods it eats.

Reproduction

You could tailor your science project to highlight the reproduction cycles of corn snakes. You could research the breeding programs that have centered around corn snakes--programs that have resulted in more than 20 different colors and patterns for corn snakes. In addition to fact sheets, you could draw diagrams comparing the reproduction and life cycles of the corn snake with those of other snakes. This project is likely better for students who are in middle school or older.

Habitat

If you have a pet corn snake, you could create a "natural" habitat for it and use it as your science project. To succeed, you should research your specific snake and its native habitat. You can then attempt to replicate the conditions. This project will require a large tank, as corn snakes like climbing and burrowing. This project is best for older students who are capable of caring for a snake themselves. You could incorporate feeding into the demonstration, to elucidate the corn snake's hunting techniques.

Skin

You can use a corn snake to discuss the shedding techniques of snakes in general since corn snakes regularly shed their skin. You could research the conditions that are ideal for snakes to shed--this includes a relatively high humidity--and its purpose. If you have a corn snake or know someone who does, you could use an actual case of shed skin to discuss the process.