Corn Snakes, or red rat snakes as they are otherwise known, are a small North American colubrid (constricting) snake of around four to six feet in length which is VERY hardy and is regularly available in a huge variety of colours and patterns (or morphs). They are a great first time snake due to their easy care conditions and great adaptability. Overall these are an incredibly tame and forgiving species which is one of the mainstays of the snake keeping hobby.

Corn Snake Vivarium

A three foot vivarium is ample space for one or two of this species, with a four foot vivarium being suitable for a trio or quartet. An appropriate bedding substrate is aspen bedding, corn cob granules or beech chips. Ambient room humidity is all that is needed (around 45% to 50%) regulated using a thermostat and a small water bowl is all that is required (around the size of an average dog bowl) for drinking and occasional bathing. Some sturdy branches to allow for climbing tendencies and fake plants to provide visual barriers would be beneficial and there MUST be a hide for the snake to feel safe. UV light increases the urge to reproduce along with a finely tuned seasonal photoperiod (day and night cycle). A basking bulb set to around 35 degrees and surrounded by a mesh guard can be added at one end.

Corn Snake Feeding

These are an easy species to breed and rear, the hatchlings are around ten to twelve inches long at birth  and feed on pinkie mice, gradualy progressing to fuzzies and on to adult mice for snakes above four feet in length. Feeding should be twice a week as hatchlings and gradually be reduced to once every two weeks.

Handle these snakes regularly and they will become silly tame and allow any inspections required by vets etc without any resistance or aggression.