CORN SNAKE (Pantherophis guttatus guttatus)

FAMILY         Colubridae

DISTRIBUTION       The Corn Snake has a range that covers the eastern seaboard of the USA, ranging from the New Jersey pine barrens to the tip of the Florida Keys and extends west into Kentucky and Eastern Louisiana.

SIZE       Hatchling corn snakes are usually around 9-14ins in length and can grow as long as 5ft when they reach adult size.

LIFESPAN       The average lifespan for a corn snake is around 15 years although some have been known to live longer, the longest on record being 21 years and 9 months.

INTRODUCTION        The corn snake is one of the most popular species of snake kept by the reptile keeper and is also one of the easiest to obtain. A lot of beginners go for the corn snake as their first reptile due to its ease of keep. They are popular amongst the more experienced keeper as well and some reasons for this are they're available in a variety of colours and patterns and are easy to breed.

HOUSING         Hatchlings can live quite happily in a hatchling tub and then when they reach about 30ins the ideal size vivarium would be at least 24ins long by 24in deep by 18ins high and then when they reach adult size a vivarium measuring at least 36in long by 24ins deep by 18ins high would be suitable. The vivarium should have plenty of hiding places a large water bowl and you could add some plants and logs etc for decor.

SUBSTRATE       The best substrate to use with hatchlings is paper towel as it is easy to clean and you don't need to worry about stuff getting stuck on their prey items when feeding. For adults there is a variety of substrates you could use including paper towel, astro turf, aspen bedding, bark chippings, and desert snow.

HEATING & LIGHTING        A heat mat can be used to provide the background heat in the vivarium but it should be connected to a thermostat for better control over the temperatures. The ideal temperatures for the corn snake are to have an ambient temperature of 24-26°c(75-79°f) with the cool end being about the 24°c(75°f) with the hot side being around 27-29°c (81-84°f). At night the temperature can be allowed to drop to around 20-22°c (68-72°f).

The corn snake doesn't have any special lighting requirements as normal background daylight is sufficient, However if you wish to place a light in the vivarium for extra lighting then you can do so, you will need to ensure that if you do put one in that it has a wire guard covering the light to prevent the snake climbing on to it and getting burnt.

FEEDING       A hatchling corn snakes main diet consists of pinkie mice and fuzzy mice as they grow. They should be fed every 4-5 days. Once they reach adulthood they should be fed every 7-10days and fed on adult mice or weaner rats depending on the size of the snake. If you have more than one snake in a enclosure it is a good practise to feed the snake separately to avoid any fighting over food or one of the other snakes being swallowed accidentally.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS        Inadequate humidity levels in the vivarium can lead to problems when the snake comes to shed it skin.