A corn snake is only second in popularity to a ball python as a pet snake, and for good reason. Corn snakes are easy to handle, and unlike ball pythons and hognose snakes that go on hunger strikes, corn snakes aren’t fussy at feeding time. While these red rat snakes are favored among first-time reptile owners, preparation is key for a healthy and happy pet snake. To help you raise your new corn snake, here are seven things beginners should know before bringing your pet snake home.
1. Corn Snakes Are Interactive Pets
Corn snakes make great pets. These orange and red reptiles are fairly active and can be quite entertaining to watch as they move about the terrarium. To keep a happy corn snake, they need enrichment to keep them stimulated and relaxed.
Add branches for them to climb and rocks or caves for them to hide under when they need shelter. Be sure to sterilize the objects you place inside the tank to avoid exposing your pet snake to bacteria and fungi. Rinse rocks and branches with boiling water to avoid exposing them to harsh chemicals that cause respiratory problems.
2. Handle Your Corn Snake with Care
An active corn snake doesn’t mean that it can’t be handled. In fact, corn snakes have a mild personality; the more you interact with them, the tamer they become. Always handle this reptile gently to avoid stress and getting bitten by your snake.
When your snake first arrives, allow them to settle into their new environment before handling them. Keep the first few interactions short if they aren’t used to human interaction and gradually increase handling as they become accustomed to it. Some corn snakes are very shy while others are more outgoing. Nevertheless, these reptiles are docile and respond well to gentle care.
3. Don’t House Multiple Corn Snakes Together
Corn snakes are solitary creatures in the wild and only come together during the breeding season. Only keep one corn snake per tank to avoid complications. More experienced reptile enthusiasts will house multiple corn snakes, but for first-time reptile owners, one snake to start with is best.
Housing one snake makes it easier to monitor their health and manage their daily feeding regimens. Overcrowding simply creates stress, which increases the risk of disease in your pet snake. This southeastern rat snake is best cared for alone as you gain experience and learn more about their normal pattern of behaviors.
4. Invest in the Right Sized Tank
Provide your pet corn snake with the right-sized tank. Juveniles do well in a 10-gallon tank, but they’ll need an upgrade to a 40-gallon as adults. Remember that a corn snake’s lifespan can exceed 15 years, so invest in a spacious terrarium to accommodate their size. The terrarium should have a secure lid to stop your pet snake from escaping. Corn snakes are excellent escape artists, and their slender size makes it easier for them to crawl through the cracks.
The terrarium should also have the right ventilation to avoid dampness and high humidity. In addition to the right tank size, corn snakes need enrichment. Create an environment that replicates their natural habitat, and you’ll have a comfortable reptile.
5. Corn Snakes Need a Humid Environment
Humidity is essential in a reptile enclosure. Yet, if it gets too high, this can increase the risk of diseases that commonly affect reptiles. Corn snakes enjoy a fair amount of humidity because it supports their respiratory function and promotes healthy shed cycles. You’ll need to maintain humidity at around 40% to 60% for corn snakes and then increase it to about 70% when they shed.
Use a hygrometer to help you measure the accurate amount of moisture in the tank. During dry months, you’ll have to increase misting inside the tank and add shallow water dishes to maintain humidity. For beginner pet snake owners, it’s a good idea to invest in tools that provide precise readings, so you never have to guess humidity levels.
6. Use Soil as a Substrate
Every corn snake requires soft substrate they can burrow into that won’t irritate their skin. You can find sand for reptiles and organic soil that is safe and compatible with snakes. Avoid dry sand as this will simply cause skin problems.
When you first bring them home, you can use a paper towel to line the bottom of the terrarium, but this should only be temporary. Paper can help you keep a close eye on their movements and digestion, but it should be replaced with reptile soil.
7. Don’t Overfeed Your Corn Snake
Obesity is a major problem in pet corn snakes. Adults should only be fed every 10 to 14 days and juveniles every seven days. When snakes gain too much weight, you’ll notice that the lower third of their body becomes broad. You won’t be able to identify the snake’s spine and their sides will bulge. Another indication of obesity in a corn snake is the splitting of scales allowing you to see their skin. A corn snake should be around one to three pounds based on their overall length.
Getting a new corn snake is exciting, but preparation is key if you want to raise a healthy reptile. Start with the basics from the correct size of the terrarium to the inclusion of enriching objects from branches to rocks. Focus on feeding prey that is suitable to the snake’s size and look out for signs of obesity.
