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Corn Snakes are another popular pet reptile. They stay relativity small and are more active then Ball Pythons.
What do Corn Snakes Eat?
The bulk of a captive Corn Snake's diet will be mice. Other food that can be offered are small rats and small quail. Some people offer their Corn Snakes eggs, but that is not something we personally practice or endorse. The size of your Corn Snake will determine what size feeder rodent it will need. The general rule to follow is to offer your snake a rodent about 1.25 or 1.5x the size of the thickest part of their body. If right after your snake has eaten the rodent and you cannot see the lump then it might be time to move it up to the next size feeder rodent.
Unless a snake will absolutely refuse to eat a frozen thawed (f/t) rodent we do not offer live to any of our snakes as there is a danger to the snake itself and there are ethical issues with doing so as well.
Common Feeder Rodent Sizes
Pinkie- A pinkie mouse is a mouse that is a few hours or days old when it is fed off to a reptile. At this size the baby mice resemble little pink jelly beans as they have no fur and their eyes are not open yet. This is the size that you would feed a baby snake.
Fuzzy - A fuzzy mouse is a step up from a pinkie. These mice have a little bit of fur and are a bit bigger then pinkie mice. You would feed this size to slightly older baby snakes and juveniles.
Hopper- Hopper mice are young adult mice. They are more independent and often 'hop' around. Depending on your part of the world this size mouse can be called a few different things, such as a small adult. This size is fed to juvenile snakes who are not quite adults yet.
Adult (medium) - Medium adult mice are adult mice who have recently matured. This is the size mouse you would feed a small adult snake
Adult (Large) - Large adult mice are older adult mice who have fully matured and can be quite a bit bigger then medium adult mice. This is also a size you would feed your adult snake.
How often should I feed my pet snake?
How often you feed your snake depends on a few factors like age, size, and if you are breeding it or not.
Baby Corn Snakes - Snakes eating pinkie mice should be fed on average every 5 to 7 days.
Juvenile Corn Snakes- Snakes eating larger fuzzy mice and hopper mice should be fed on average every 7 days.
Subadult and Adult Corn Snakes- Adult corn snakes should be offered a meal on average every 9 to 14 days. You need to be careful feeding your corn snake as they will easily become overweight if feed to frequently.
Corn Snake Enclosures
Corn snakes are escape artists at any age so no matter what type of enclosure you have for your pet snake make sure it is secure and that they cannot escape from it because if they find a way out they will be gone.
Babies: Baby corn snakes can be kept in smaller enclosures. They can go in larger enclosures as long as there is plenty of room to hide and multiple dishes of water. By putting your baby corn snake in a larger enclosure then you might take a bit longer to realize they are missing if they escape. Typically baby corn snakes do well in a 5.5 or 10 gallon set up with a secure lid. These sizes will last them for quite a while as they continue to grow.
Juveniles: Juvenile corn snakes are much larger then when they were babies. They will also need more space. A twenty gallon long tank or a 40 gallon breeder tank will be of adequate size for a juvenile corn snake as it matures into adult hood.
Adults: The size of an adult corn snake can vary from each individual but the widlely accepted minimum for corn snake enclosures as adults is a 4x2x2. If you happen to have a large snake then you will very likely need a larger enclosure.
Each enclosure, no matter the age of your corn snake should have a minimum of two hides, a water bowl, and branches to climb on. There also needs to be enough cover that your snake does not feel exposed while being out and about. For more information about bedding keep an eye out on our website as we contine to update it.
Does your Corn Snake Need Lighting?
Corn Snakes do not require light but as with other species of reptiles it can be beneficial to provide your corn snake with UVB.
What Tempeture and Humidity do Corn Snake Need?
Corn Snakes cannot produce their own heat and are native to the southwest regions of the United States. This means that you must provide heat to your snake in order for it to live. Providing the proper heat to your snake will also keep them healthy and from getting sick.
The temperature range for a corn snake is between 75 and 82 degrees F for ambiant temperature. There should be a warm basking side of the enclosure that is a bit higher at around 89 degrees F.
The humidity range for a corn snake is between 65 and 80%. This range varies and does not mean that your corn snake should be kept at the top or bottom end of the humidity ranges at all times. A comfortable medium is most prefered.
During the shedding cycle of a corn snake you may want to increase your humidity slightly and provide it with a humid hide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corn Snakes
How do I tell if my Corn Snake s a male or female?
A: You should never attempt to sex your pet snake on your own without the guidance or training from a professional. There are two main ways to tell if your snake is a male or female. The first is to probe the snake using a special tool and the second is to 'pop' the snake. Popping a snake means you put a bit of pressure near the vent of the snake and if it is a boy the male reproduction organs will come out.
Will my corn snake bite me?
A: Anything with a mouth can and will bite.
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