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Corn Snake

Corn Snake

includes elaphe guttata

Corn snakes are named for the pattern of their belly scales that resembles maize, an ancestor of modern day corn. They are known to be good climbers and escape artists.

Corn Snake

Corn Snake Facts

Average Adult Size 4 to 6 feet long
Average Life Span up to 20 years with proper care
Diet carnivore

Will reach adult size in 2 to 3 years, under ideal conditions; upgrade habitat size as your snake grows.

Diet

A well-balanced corn snake diet consists of:

  • Appropriately sized frozen rodents, thawed/warmed to above room temperature.
  • Do not use a microwave to defrost frozen rodents and do not prepare them in the same area that you prepare food. If it is unavoidable, be sure to thoroughly disinfect the area. See the Feeding Frozen/Thawed Foods Care Sheet for more information.
  • If feeding your snake live rodents, do not leave them unattended. Live rodents can injure the snake, sometimes fatally.

Feeding

Things to remember when feeding your corn snake:

  • Feed juveniles once a week, adults every one to two weeks.
  • Feed in a separate tank so that your snake doesn't associate your hand or the habitat being opened with feeding.

Housing

  • Size – Appropriately sized and shaped habitat for an baby colubrid to accommodate normal behavior and exercise. At least a 20L to 40B is recommended.
  • Substrate – Aspen shavings, mulch-type such as coconut fiber bedding or reptile bark; dampened sphagnum moss.
  • Habitat – Provide a hiding area just large enough for your snake to fit inside and a branch or décor to climb on. Maintain 40 to 60% humidity; higher during shedding.
  • Temperature – Temperature gradient (85°F for the warm end; recommend radiant heat.
  • Lighting – Provide 8 to 12 hours of light daily. Don't leave white light on at all times; a nocturnal or infrared light should be used at night.
  • Adult corn snakes can be housed together but do not house different snake species together.

Normal Behavior

  • As your snake gets ready to shed, their eyes will turn a milky blue/grey over the course of a few days and their body color will start to dull and develop a whitish sheen. May become irritable; avoid handling if possible.
  • Appetite may vary.

Habitat Maintenance

  • Thoroughly clean and disinfect the habitat at least once a week: place snake in a secure habitat; scrub the tank and furnishings with a 3% bleach solution; rinse thoroughly with water, removing all traces of bleach smell; dry the tank and furnishings completely and add clean substrate.

Grooming & Hygiene

  • Snakes will regularly shed their skin; ensure humidity of habitat is at appropriate level to allow snake to shed properly.
  • Never try to remove eye caps by yourself. Seek veterinary care.

Health

Signs of a Healthy Animal

  • Active and alert
  • Clear eyes (except when shedding)
  • Eats regularly
  • Healthy skin
  • Regularly sheds skin in one complete piece
  • Free of mites and ticks

Red Flags

  • unusually frequent or infrequent shedding
  • vomiting
  • lethargic or reluctant to eat
  • abnormal feces
  • bumps or spots on skin
  • labored breathing
  • difficulty shedding
  • white, cheesy substance in mouth

Common Health Issues

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action
Health Issue Dermatitis Symptoms or Causes Blisters, rapid shedding caused by an unclean habitat or one that is too cold or damp. Suggested Action Consult your veterinarian, clean the habitat and lower humidity.
Health Issue Respiratory disease Symptoms or Causes Labored breathing, mucus in mouth or nostrils. Can be caused by a habitat that is too cold or damp. Suggested Action Consult your veterinarian and keep snake warm and dry.
Health Issue Stomatitis Symptoms or Causes White, cheesy substance in the mouth, loss of teeth and appetite. If untreated, can be fatal. Suggested Action Immediately consult your veterinarian.
Health Issue Ticks and mites Symptoms or Causes Parasites on skin, can transmit disease. Suggested Action Consult your veterinarian.

Shopping list for needed supplies

Download as PDF

Sources

Ask a store partner about Petco's selection of books on ball pythons and the variety of private brand products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All private brand products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as Salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your reptile or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing or caring for reptiles and should consider not having a reptile as a pet.

Go to the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about reptiles and disease.

This care sheet can cover the needs of other species.

Note: The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, refer to the Sources on the back of this Care Sheet or contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

Developed with and approved by a qualified veterinarian.

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