The Corn Snake Latin name:
Originally Elaphe guttata (now Pantherophis guttatus) Corn snakes belong to the Colubrid family, the largest snake family.
As hatchlings, they normally measure 20-28cms (8-11in).
Adults range from 1-1½ m (3-5ft) with males generally being longer than females.
Their lifespan is up to 20 years and they are non venomous.
Facts & Information Origin:
Corn Snakes are native to the South Eastern United States, where they are found in open woods and grassland.
They are common around farms and in cornfields, where they help to control rodents.
Benefits of keeping:
Corn snakes are hardy and easy to keep.
They are docile and even tempered and well-suited to captive conditions.
They become tame with regular gentle handling.
They do not grow very big compared to other species and are the ideal first snake.
Corn snakes are beautiful, dramatic-looking snakes, they have a background colour of orange, with black-bordered irregular red or rust coloured patches.
Their belly is white with black squares on it.
However, due to the ease with which they breed in captivity, many colour variations are now available, including blood red corns , striped corns and albino corns.
Housing:
It is advisable to start with a small pen such as an Exo Terra Faunarium for a hatchling, as Corn snakes are the “Houdini” of the snake world.
They will find a way out of the tiniest hole, so a plastic container is best initially.
This can be placed inside a Terrarium to ensure the correct temperature and then move them into the terrarium itself when they grow to about 60cm (2ft) at about 1 year old.
Corn snakes can be housed together or separately, although some males will object to sharing a vivarium with another male.
Females can be housed together but should be separated for feeding as animals frequently compete for the same food item and may even try to eat each other!
Substrate and Furnishings:
Bark or wood shavings are ideal as a substrate.
It is a good idea to provide a hide at both the cooler end of the terrarium and the hotter end so as to give the snake a choice of warm security or cooler security.
The Exo Terra Snake Cave is perfect for this, or a Reptile Den which sticks to the glass, allowing you to look at your snake without disturbing them.
If rocks are to be used to decorate the terrarium then ensure that there are no sharp edges, and that they cannot fall and crush your snake.
A climbing branch would be appreciated by the snake and artificial plants and other terrarium décor will enhance the appearance of your set-up.
Remove all droppings and clean the terrarium on a regular basis to prevent disease.
Heating:
Corn snakes need a hot area of about 90F (32C) with a background daytime temperature of 80F (27C).
At night, the temperature should drop to about 70 F (21 C).
One of the best methods of heating for Corn snakes is an Exo Terra Heat Rock.
Choose an appropriate size for your terrarium and position towards one end of it.
This allows for the required temperature gradient.
A digital thermometer should be placed near the hot end and one at the cool end of the terrarium to check the temperatures are correct.
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