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 CORN SNAKES
(Elaphe
guttata guttata)
Corn snakes (sometimes called rat
snakes) are one of the most popular snakes
available in the United States. This
popularity is based on many different
factors: they are fairly small snakes,
usually ranging between three and four feet
in length; they will eat a wide range of
live and dead prey; they can survive in
multiple climates; they come in a wide array
of beautiful colors; and they are very easy
to breed in captivity. They are also
very docile snakes, which make them an
excellent choice for the novice or advanced
reptile lover.
 Enclosure
Size
Since corn snakes remain fairly small,
they do not require huge enclosures.
Babies can easily be kept in a 10-gallon
aquarium, and adults can live comfortably in
a 20-gallon tank. Multiple snakes
should be kept in at least a 30-gallon tank.
Substrate
Corn snakes can live comfortably on many
different substrates, since their native
habitat varies so widely across the country.
However, beware using materials such as
cedar shavings, pine shavings, or corn cob
bedding. These can be fatal to any
snake. They can cause respiratory
infections, and the smaller shavings can be
aspirated (sucked into the lungs) while a
snake is feeding.
 Safe
substrates include reptile bark, aspen bark,
butcher paper, paper towels, or an
inexpensive utility mat. Reptile bark
and aspen bark can be purchased at most pet
stores. Paper substrates are cheaper,
because everyone keeps a roll of paper
towels on hand, and are easily removed and
replaced. My personal favorite is the
versatile utility mat. Simply cut it
into tank-sized pieces, and shake it clean
when necessary. It can also be tossed
into the washing machine, on gentle cycle,
as needed to remove ground-in stains.
Heating
Like all reptiles, corn snakes are
cold-blooded. This means that they
require an outside heat source to keep from
freezing. Corn snakes require one area
of their tank warmer than the other, and
will move back and forth between these areas
to regulate their internal temperature.
The warm section of their tank should be
kept at around 80 - 85º F.
 An
external heat lamp or undertank heating pad
will work well in any glass tank. Heat
rocks are not recommended, because they pose
a serious health threat to reptiles.
Few heat rocks come equipped with variable
thermostats, and they frequently burn far
too hot. Snakes that try to coil on an
unprotected heat rock often suffer massive
burns, including black charring on their
bellies. This is usually fatal.
If you must use a heat rock, either bury it
under some substrate or double-wrap it in an
old sock, and securely tie off both ends.
This will help protect your snake from
potentially lethal burns.
Feeding
Corn snakes will eat almost
anything--live or dead baby mice, small
lizards, even insects--if they feel safe and
comfortable. Be sure to provide
adequate heat, which is essential to aiding
your snake's digestion. Also be sure
to provide a hiding place or two, preferably
one at each end of its tank. A snake
that cannot hide and feel secure may become
stressed, and refuse to eat.
Hatchlings are tiny, and may need to be fed
pinhead or tiny crickets until they are
large enough to eat pinkie mice. As
they grow, they will move to fuzzy mice,
then to adult mice. Adults may be fed
twice a week, but generally only need one
feeding every 6 or 7 days.
Never feed your snake an animal larger than
its own body diameter. It may refuse
to eat or, if it does, it may regurgitate
its meal. This can be potentially
harmful to your snake (not to mention,
nothing smells worse than a
half-digested mouse!).
Also, be sure not to handle your snake too
soon after feeding. There is no proof
that snakes suffer from air-sickness, but
picking it up and playing with it just after
it's gorged itself may cause the same
reaction that babies suffer when thrown into
the air just after a heavy feeding.
They throw up. ;-)
Corn snakes drink a lot of water, so always
make sure to keep their water bowl full of
clean water.
With proper care, your corn snake will be an
excellent, hardy, docile pet for many years. |
