Corn snakes are among the most popular pet snakes. They’re colorful, easy to care for, and don’t require much in terms of space or equipment. For these reasons, they’re a great choice for someone looking for their first snake or wanting something that doesn’t take up a lot of time.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Corn snakes are considered suitable pets for beginners. |
| They are often recommended as an ideal choice for novice reptile enthusiasts. |
| Corn snakes are known for their docile temperament and ease of care. |
| They come in a variety of vibrant colors and patterns, making them visually appealing. |
| Proper enclosure setup and regular feeding are essential for their well-being. |
| Regular handling and socialization can help develop a bond with your pet corn snake. |
| It’s important to research and understand their specific care requirements before getting one. |
| Seeking advice from experienced snake owners or reptile experts can provide valuable insights. |
Corn Snakes Are Good For Beginners
Corn snakes are good for beginners because they are:
Easy to take care of. Corn snakes only need a small cage, and their diet is easy to figure out they eat rodents like mice or rats. You don’t have to do much more than feed them once every two weeks!
Easy to find. Corn snakes are one of the most common types of pet snakes, so there are plenty of places you can buy one from if you want one!
Easy to breed. If you have two corn snakes that mate, there’s a chance they’ll produce babies in a little over a year!
If you’re a beginner looking for a reptile companion, corn snakes are an excellent choice. Discover why these fascinating serpents are considered ideal pets for novice owners and embark on a rewarding reptile-keeping journey.
Are Corn Snakes Good For Beginners?
Corn snakes are great for beginners. They’re easy to care for and handle, and they don’t require a lot of space. As long as you have enough room for your corn snake to stretch out, you can keep one in an apartment or small home with no problem.
Corn snakes are also relatively inexpensive compared to other snakes, which makes them easy on your wallet if you’re just starting in the world of reptile keeping.
How Did Big Do Corn Snakes Get?
For a first snake, corn snakes are an excellent choice. They don’t need a huge enclosure to live in and they are generally not aggressive.
When it comes time to feed your new pet, you won’t have to worry about handling them very much corn snakes will usually let you know when they’re hungry by getting excited and wiggling around when you open the enclosure door.
Corn snakes can grow up to 10 feet long, which makes them ideal for people who want something bigger than a garter snake but aren’t quite ready for an anaconda!
The biggest thing that may surprise you about this type of pet is how quickly they grow; while most young animals stay small until they reach adulthood, corn snakes tend to rapidly increase in size after their first year (and then continue growing throughout their lives).
| Corn Snake Species | Average Length |
|---|---|
| Normal Corn Snake | 3-5 feet |
| Blood Red Corn Snake | 4-6 feet |
| Hypomelanistic Corn Snake | 3-5 feet |
| Anerythristic Corn Snake | 3-5 feet |
| Motley Corn Snake | 3-5 feet |
| Scaleless Corn Snake | 4-6 feet |
Can Corn Snakes Eat Pet Mice?
Corn snakes are very easy to care for, and they can live a long time in captivity. They eat mice, rats, and rabbits. You can buy these at a pet store or feeder supply store. Corn snakes also eat frozen/thawed mice, rats, and rabbits (preferably thawed).
Snakes must be warmed up before feeding them live rodents so they don’t get sick from the cold meal!
There are many different kinds of food you can give your snake: mice, rats, chicks (just kidding), fish fillets… whatever your heart desires! If you have any questions about what type of food is best for corn snakes please let us know!
While corn snakes are a popular choice, it’s important to explore all perspectives. Our detailed article on why axolotls should not be pets sheds light on the specific considerations and responsibilities associated with axolotl ownership, offering a valuable alternative viewpoint.
How Long Do Corn Snakes Live?
How long do corn snakes live? Corn snakes are a very long-lived species, and can live up to 20–30 years in captivity.
However, this lifespan can increase depending on the environment where they are kept. For example, corn snakes that are kept in colder climates will generally live longer than those kept in warmer ones.
Furthermore, corn snakes that are properly cared for may be able to live even longer than 30 years!
How Often Do Corn Snakes Eat?
Corn snakes are very active at night, which is why their owners should keep them in a tank with a substrate of bedding and hide spots. Corn snakes are generally easy to care for and can live up to 20 years if properly cared for.
They will eat from time to time throughout the day, but they tend to be more active at night when it’s dark (when most other reptiles are sleeping). They prefer mice that have been frozen first as this makes the mouse easier for them to digest.
They can eat up to 3 mice at once! Those who want their pets on an organic diet may want corn snakes as they do not need any vitamin supplements.
Because their natural environment provides everything they need naturally through insects/insectivores found in nature such as worms or small mammals like mice or rats (not recommended).
| Age of Corn Snake | Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|
| Hatchling (0-6 months) | Every 5-7 days |
| Juvenile (6-12 months) | Every 7-10 days |
| Adult (1+ year) | Every 10-14 days |
Do Corn Snakes Bite?
Corn snakes are non-venomous, meaning they cannot bite you and cause harm. Their mouths are too small to bite anything bigger than cricket.
Aside from that, corn snakes aren’t aggressive towards humans at all they’re much more likely to run away than bite you if you upset them. They’re also not a threat to humans or any other animals in general, so don’t worry about keeping them as a pet!
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Do I Need To Feed My Snake Live Mice?
If you have a corn snake, it’s important to know that corn snakes are not obligate feeders meaning they don’t need to eat live mice. This is good news for the beginner because it means you can use frozen or thawed mice instead of having to hunt down live ones.
However, if you’re going for the full experience and want to feed your snake-alive animals (which is perfectly fine), then please do so responsibly! There are many places where people can get free-range rodents from which they would be happy to provide food for your pet.
If this isn’t an option for whatever reason (such as having no idea how to catch them), then go ahead and order some frozen ones online there are plenty of places that sell them by the dozen!
Do Corn Snakes Play Dead?
Corn snakes don’t play dead. They don’t need to. When corns get scared, they’ll freeze in place and try to blend into their surroundings until the threat goes away. Corns also tend to strike out at perceived threats if they feel threatened or are startled enough.
If your snake seems especially agitated, try handling it less often for a while until it calms down again. If you’re taking care of several snakes together.
Make sure that each one gets its own space during the day when you’re not actively working with them this will help prevent them from getting on top of one another and injuring themselves to escape each other (or whatever else they might be afraid of).
| Behavior | Description |
|---|---|
| Balling Up | Corn snakes may curl into a tight ball when feeling threatened. |
| Hissing | They may hiss as a warning signal to potential predators. |
| Rattling Tail | Some corn snakes may vibrate their tails against a surface to mimic a rattlesnake. |
| Striking | In self-defense, corn snakes may strike at perceived threats. |
| Musking | They may release a musky odor when handled or stressed. |
What Kind Of Food Do Corn Snakes Like To Eat?
Corn snakes are excellent at eating rodents, like mice and rats. They also enjoy chicks, fish, and birds. They can eat eggs, frogs, and lizards as well!
When it comes to their diet, corn snakes are picky eaters – they are not very adventurous in what they put into their mouths.
Many people have trouble getting their corn snakes to take a mouse or rat when they first start keeping them as pets because these types of food aren’t often found in nature. However, some tricks will help you get your pet to eat properly:
- Offer live food every few days so that the snake has something interesting to look at while eating its meal (this will also keep its hunting instincts sharp).
- Put frozen mice (or other prey) out for several hours before feeding time so that they thaw slightly but still feel fresh when offered up.
Thinking about Eastern hognose snakes as potential pets? Before making a decision, it’s essential to know if they have any negative traits. Our comprehensive guide on the potential drawbacks of Eastern hognose snakes will shed light on any concerns you may have and help you make an informed choice.
Corn Snakes Are Among The Best For A Beginner Looking For A Fun Pet To Keep
Corn snakes are among the best for a beginner looking for a fun pet to keep. They are easy to care for, handle and feed.
Corn snakes do not bite or scratch, are not aggressive, and are completely non-venomous and non-poisonous. They can be handled with ease and they love being around people!
Corn snakes make great pets because they’re relatively small in size (they get up to between 4 feet long) which means it’s easy to find an enclosure that will work well for them.
Corn snakes also don’t require much space – they prefer having some hiding spots where they can sleep during the day but otherwise their enclosures don’t need additional decorations such as vines or logs like other species might require.”
For beginners seeking an exciting reptile companion, our article on keeping axolotls as pets provides valuable insights. Learn about the unique traits and care needs of axolotls, and discover if they are the perfect match for your interests and experience level.
Conclusion
In summary, corn snakes are great pets for beginners. They’re easy to care for and don’t require any specialized equipment or supplies.
They can eat both live mice and frozen food, making them versatile. Their small size makes them easy to handle, too but don’t let their size fool you! Corn snakes may be small at first glance but they make up for it in personality and friendliness.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on the topic of corn snakes as pets:
Perfect Pet Snakes for Beginners: Explore this informative article that discusses various snake species suitable for beginners, including corn snakes. Discover why corn snakes are often recommended as ideal pets for novice reptile enthusiasts.
Corn Snake Care Guide: Dive into this comprehensive guide on corn snake care, providing valuable insights into their habitat, diet, handling, and overall well-being. Learn how to create a suitable environment for your corn snake and ensure its health and happiness.
Are Corn Snakes Good Pets for Beginners?: Read this article that specifically focuses on the suitability of corn snakes as pets for beginners. Gain a deeper understanding of their temperament, ease of care, and the benefits they offer to novice snake owners.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about corn snakes:
1. How big do corn snakes get?
Corn snakes typically reach an average length of 3 to 5 feet, although some individuals may grow slightly larger.
2. What do corn snakes eat?
In the wild, corn snakes primarily feed on small rodents. As pets, they are commonly fed a diet of appropriately sized mice or rats.
3. How often do corn snakes need to be fed?
Young corn snakes should be fed every 5 to 7 days, while adult corn snakes can be fed every 7 to 10 days. Adjustments may be necessary depending on the snake’s age, size, and individual metabolism.
4. Do corn snakes require any special habitat or enclosure?
Corn snakes require a suitable enclosure that includes a secure enclosure with proper ventilation, a temperature gradient, and hiding spots. Additionally, providing a substrate for burrowing and climbing opportunities is beneficial for their well-being.
5. Are corn snakes venomous?
No, corn snakes are not venomous. They are constrictor snakes, meaning they subdue their prey by coiling around it rather than using venom. Corn snakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans.
I am Dr Hellen James a veterinarian, pet lover, and writer. I have many years of experience caring for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and fish (and even axolotls!). I love spending time with the animals in my life, especially when they are sick or need love.