Is this information out of date? They have a very gentle nature, are very easy to care for, and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. You probably won't notice a difference in the snake's sleep pattern as it gets ready to shed. Try again... Yup! Not necessarily! Captive corn snakes usually reach adulthood around 1.5-2 years old, and with good care they can live long lives — 15-25 years. Because of this, you should stay very alert and attentive when it comes to your corn snake so that you can catch … Corn snakes come from a warm environment so they struggle with the cold and humidity of the UK. Because of their simple care requirements, docile but active personality, and exceptional hardiness, corn snakes can make excellent snakes for first-timers. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Feed your snake 1 mouse every week, getting your corn snake bigger and bigger mice to eat as it grows bigger. If you use a heat mat, it must be thermostatically controlled because they reach in excess of 250 degrees F (121 degrees C) which will severely burn the snake. For instance, you might switch out the enclosure items for a change of scenery, add climbing items, put in knobs or pegs, or place items scented like prey animals inside the cage for your snake to investigate. The humidity should not be greater than 65% or less than 40%. Place the mat under 1/3 of the cage. While practical, newspaper is not very aesthetically pleasing. ", specific, and now I know more about what I need before and during the snake-owning process. Finally, clean your snake’s cage every 3 weeks, but try to scoop out fresh excrement when you can to keep it tidy between cleanings. After reading the article, which is the best I have found since. Providing environmental enrichment for your corn snake is a great way to encourage exercise and maintain your pet’s health and happiness. "Thanks! Try another answer... Not exactly! The corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is a North American species of rat snake that subdues its small prey by constriction. Captive-bred corn snakes are easy to find, even in the United States. There are two alternating rows of smaller blotches on each side. "I'm considering getting a snake someday. Do not house them together permanently. In the wild, these hours are spent hunting prey like small mammals, frogs, fish, and even birds on occasion. Early European settlers encountered this species in their corn fields and corn cribs, concluding that it was eating their corn… References He is happy and active. You should handle your pet gently and frequently, so it becomes accustomed to you. Look for a digital thermometer or hygrometer that's made to measure tank temperatures. Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus) Dumeril’s Boa (Acrantophis dumerili) Kingsnake Care (Lampropeltis ssp.) I want a corn snake, and I need to do my research before getting one. If there are ever any health problems with your corn snake, go to a herpetological/exotic vet immediately. The position of your water bowl can sometimes cause humidity so keep the bowl on the cool side. Good ventilation is essential to prevent the build up of harmful bacteria and it should be made from a solid material that is easy to clean and holds heat. Look for a heat source that disperses the heat instead of centralizing it. The best beginner reptiles are corn snakes, rat snakes, and milk snakes. Thanks. You should also keep a shallow water dish in your corn snake’s tank. The enclosure can be either a tank or vivarium. Corn Snake Care. Another major purpose served by the water dish is to increase the relative humidity of the tank. I'm getting to love snakes more and more, it's amazing. The corn snake’s common name comes from the rodents it seeks while living in and around cornfields and cribs, and also from its belly markings, which resemble Indian corn. Corn snakes do not require misting or a humid hide to have a good shed. Should I leave my snake alone when I haven't seen him in the five days since I got him? Try again! Ask any store or breeder to allow you to handle it before you buy a snake because some are more difficult to handle than others. ReptiFiles.com is a compilation of factual, science-based research from the best reptile care resources in the world, packaged in one neat website. Corn Snake Care Sheet. Corn snakes will push at the lid with their noses looking for weaknesses and tiny openings, so the fit of the lid is very important. Corn snakes are long, slender snakes with oval heads and round pupils. ", irresponsible and didn't take care of it properly. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. North American Hognose Snake. Heat rocks can be dangerous because they can get too hot. They are carnivores, eating protein-packed diets of lizards, birds, eggs, bats, and especially rodents. Hesitation scares the corn snake, and makes it likely to hide or bite. Because they don’t have hands to help them subdue prey, corn snakes use their teeth and powerful constricting muscles to squeeze prey until it passes out (a rather humane method, actually, and effective within seconds according to this study). … Picking a solid cage is a necessity for proper corn snake care. You should also take your snake to the vet if you suspect that something might be wrong, but you don't know what it is. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Corn Snake Enclosure Setup Because Corn Snakes vary in size, it’s best to get the right terrarium from the get go. Due to the popularity of corn snakes as pets, there are LOTS of unwanted corn snakes in rescues and listed in classifieds in the USA. Whenever possible, we strongly urge you to consider adopting your new pet corn snake from your local classifieds or a legitimate reptile rescue rather than buying it from a pet store! Dr. Nalezny founded The Iguana Relocation Network and is on the board of directors for Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services. To care for your corn snake, give it plenty of water in a bowl big enough to drink from and soak in, and change the water twice a week. Hatchling or baby corn snakes should be fed one pinky mouse every five days for up to seven months. The rest is explained here. Also, if you choose to lightly mist your snake during shedding, this can cause high humidity. Some Corn Snakes will appreciate more time outside the vivarium, while others may shy away from regular … I have worked directly with a variety of species since 2014, and ReptiFiles is where I share my research with you. "I'm an 11 year old girl who loves snakes so I took a test online about what snake I should get and it told me to, "I like how wikiHow puts detail into things. They are found in the temperate forest biome, preferring wooded groves, rocky hillsides, meadowland, as well as barns, woodlots, and even abandoned houses (The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians, 1979, p.604-605). Can I refreeze the mouse if my snake refuses to eat it? They love to hide. We believe she is a girl, so we called her Candy. They simply get their name as they are commonly found in farmhouse barns, where they are … Use a temperature gradient with a light or under tank heat pad or cable. Corn Snake Care Sheet Congratulate yourself! ", "It was very helpful to me. Try another answer... Not exactly! It's also more convenient for you because it's easier to store frozen mice than live mice. The water bowl should be refilled daily, and thoroughly cleaned at least once per week, this will prevent a build up of bacterial organisms which can be harmful to both snake and keeper. It will be more familiar with whoever gives him its food! Corn Snake Care Guide. Hot rocks are never suitable for any pet as they provide a localized source of heat that is too hot. Look up the Munson plan for a good, if slightly too aggressive, feeding plan. The pet store will tell you it's a must. The main exception is a breeding pair. A heat lamp is not a suitable heat source because corn snakes are nocturnal. Exact color and pattern depends on locality and morph, but generally, a wild-type (“normal”) corn snake will be orange or brownish-yellow with large, black-edged red or brown blotches down its back. In the wild, corn snakes are pretty opportunistic predators, who eat a variety of prey species. If you find a branch in nature, clean it well and make sure it's free of bugs before you put it in your snake's habitat. Our Corn Snakes are captive bred here at Reptiles by Mack. Common sense people, snakes are nocturnal, lighting is for your benefit. You may want to measure and laminate the shed as a record. Snake decor; Your enclosure should be pretty well packed out with various sizes and shapes of natural wood (avoid cedar and redwood as these are toxic) to allow your snake to climb and hide as it wishes, along with various artificial plants and bushes. Ease and Cost of Care… Since my corn snake shed, he has refused to eat. They only require feeding every 5-14 days depending on the age of your Corn Snake and, with regular spot cleaning, will only need it's vivarium cleaned out once a month. Click on another answer to find the right one... Definitely not! Because corn snakes vary in size, there's no exact food size to follow. Even if you're the most attentive owner possible, some health issues are just impossible to avoid. It will help increase the humidity. You should take your snake to the vet if it gets hurt or sick. Corn snakes operate best in humid environments. Do not handle your snake after a feed, as it can regurgitate its meal. Native to the USA and Mexico, they are docile, hardy, attractive, and are easy to care for. There is no significant size difference between the sexes (source). If your snake is breathing through its mouth or hanging upside-down by the wall, it may have respiratory problems! Thank you! To learn how to set up your snake’s habitat, scroll down! Some have lived as long as 30! "I am wanting to adopt a corn snake, but as a first-timer I had no idea where to start! By using our site, you agree to our. get a corn snake. Her eyes are starting to go cloudy, just want the best, "We are taking care of the school corn snake over the summer, and this helped us prepare. Example: “ReptiFiles.com is the best place to learn about correct reptile husbandry.”. Pick another answer! She graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Although not necessary, they are usually put through a cooling (also known as brumation) period that takes usually 60–90 days long. However, in captivity, it is typically wisest to feed your corn snake a rodent-based diet. Place the thermostat about 1 in (2.5 cm) above the substrate where your snake spends the most time. Why should you feed your snake frozen or thawed mice? Check for climbing branches at a local pet store or online. To help your snake digest its food properly, feed it in its cage and do not handle it for two days after feeding. This article received 46 testimonials and 94% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. She graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. The bowl should be placed at the cooler end of … Reptile health information given on this site is not intended to act as or replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. Ease of Care: Corn Snakes are very simple to take care of and it does not take much time to fulfil their every need. You can also use a heat mat, but it may put your snake at risk of a burn. Look for another indication. Corn snakes usually breed shortly after the winter cooling. To insulate against both of these factors we recommend keeping the snake in a wooden vivarium. While true, this will most likely cause your snake to die 25%-75% earlier. Thanks to these breeding efforts, corn snakes can be found in a wide variety of “morphs” — captive breeding with the intention of producing certain patterns and/or colors. It is important to get a secure-fitting lid that can be clamped down for this tank as well. However, be careful to keep their cage away from direct sunlight as the temperature may become lethal for your corn snake. Dr. Jaime Nalezny is an exotic animal veterinarian with over 15 years of experience, focusing on the care of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and exotic small mammals. Because of their simple care requirements, docile but active personality, and exceptional hardiness, corn snakes can make excellent snakes for first-timers. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. A thermostat is NEVER, NEVER optional! As your snake grows, you'll likely need to upgrade your tank. Support wikiHow by The North American corn snake, also known by the scientific name Pantherophis guttatus, ... A farmer might try calling an exterminator or bringing in a cat to take care of the rodents. Be sure to approach the corn snake from the side rather than the top like a predator would do. If your pet reptile is experiencing a medical emergency, contact an experienced reptile veterinarian immediately. Try again! This means that corn snakes … Your snake should have a bowl of water in their tank, but that's not a source of heat for them. Cohabiting is only recommended when breeding, which can be attempted after copious research. Set the temperature to 75-85 degrees F. Read on for another quiz question. I looked up pictures and info about the snake and I wanted to learn how to take care of it because I'm planning to get one. What could have been the cause of his death? Feeding your snake a live mouse is not ideal because your snake could hurt itself trying to catch the mouse. To learn how to set up your snake’s habitat, scroll down! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Care-for-a-Corn-Snake-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-a-Corn-Snake-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Care-for-a-Corn-Snake-Step-1.jpg\/aid214732-v4-728px-Care-for-a-Corn-Snake-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":325,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":514,"licensing":"