Corn Snakes (Elaphe gutatta) are one of the most common pet snakes and make a great beginner snake to a new snake keeper of any age. A fully grown Corn Snake will max out between three and five feet so these snakes remain a manageable size. Aside from their wonderful temperament and manageable size Corn Snakes also come in a very wide variety of colors and patterns.
What Kind Of Enclosure Does a Corn Snake require?
Adult Corn Snakes should be kept in a minimum of a 20 gallon long tank with plenty of decorations to climb on. They will also need a basking area and somewhere to hide or escape the heat. A water bowl large enough for the snake to completely submerge their body is necessary for healthy shedding. For substrate it is important to keep your snake on something that is easy to clean. I prefer to either use care fresh paper bedding or paper towels laid across the bottom which is most easily cleaned. Snakes need to have a warm side and a cool side to the tank since they are cold blooded and Corn Snakes prefer the cool side around 70 F, or room temperature, and the warm side to be around 85 F. This temperature gradient can be achieved simply by placing a heat lamp on one side of the tank. All snakes, no matter there size, should have a secure locking lid to prevent injury to your snake or family members.
What And How Often Should I Feed My Corn Snake?
Baby Corn Snakes do well being fed one or two pink mice weekly or biweekly. As the snake grows older the size of their prey will increase with the size of the snake until the adult Corn Snake is eating an adult mouse once every week and a half to two weeks. I always recommend feeding frozen (fully thawed before feeding) mice since I have experienced live mice seriously injuring my snakes. When feeding your snake it is recommended not to feed them in their enclosure but instead in another clean container where they will not ingest any of the bedding and will help prevent accidental bites when handling the snake.
Read this article I wrote about Breeding Your Own Mice for Reptile Food for further information.
How And How Often Should I Handle My Corn Snake?
Corn Snakes can be handled daily but will prefer not to be handled a few days to a week before shedding since their skin is tighter and more sensitive. When handling any snake it is always important to keep in mind that should they strike they can not strike farther than your hand is down their body. With this in mind you should never allow the snake to be able to reach your face. While handling the snake you should hold lightly and allow the snake to freely move among your fingers hand under hand avoiding accidental drops. When first removing your snake from their home keep in mind that you are going into this animals home and may startle them or catch them on an off day. Although Corn Snakes are known for their easy going temperament any animal can and will bite when feeling threatened.
Where Can I Buy My Corn Snake?
When purchasing a Corn Snake you can take many options. The first and easiest is to check out the local pet stores in your area and see what they have to offer. Most pet stores will carry the most common colors but Corn Snakes come in a countless variety of patterns and colors each one being preferred by different people. If you do not see anything in the local pet stores you should begin researching the colors and markings online to decide which is the most appealing to you. The second option now that you know what you want is to search for a breeder or distributor online that sells this snake. The third option (and my personal favorite) is to go to your nearest reptile expo. There you will see every type of snake you can imagine and will be able to talk to the experts and breeders directly before making your purchase.
Is A Corn Snake Right For You?
If you love snakes and are interested in a first snake then the Corn Snake is for you. These snakes require little space, minimal temperature and humidity requirements and are known for having an excellent temperament.
Evan Eloe - When learning about what he loves Evan leaves no rock unturned giving his readers a clear and well rounded source of knowledge.
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