Beauty, comfortable size to handle, calm character, fantastic genetic variety and easy reproduction in captivity. Yes, they have it all. And that is precisely why they are the most popular snakes among reptile lovers, but… do you know how to care for the corn snake? We tell you all about it!
Corn snake. What does it look like?
Also known as Pantherophis guttatus, the corn snake is not venomous, but kills its prey by constriction, so it is not dangerous to humans. In adulthood it can reach a length of 1.5 meters and live up to 20 years in captivity (three times less in the wild).
With respect to its physical appearance there are dozens of mutations, from different patterns such as striped or zigzag to various colors such as black, white or even purple. This is another characteristic that makes it magical.
Care of the corn snake
Although it is one of the most snakes most popular because of its ease of care, there are some guidelines to follow:
To have a suitable terrarium. The size should be between 80 and 130 cm, at least. The temperature should be between 22 and 20 degrees and, being a nocturnal snake, the light should be turned off at night so that it can follow its normal cycle each day. Regarding the substrate for the base, corn should be chosen to avoid risks. In addition, to make it feel comfortable, it is important that the terrarium recreates its natural habitat, so try to create hiding places where it can hide whenever it wants and also add branches for it to climb.
Terrarium hygiene. The terrarium should be kept terrarium terrarium clean so that the reptile feels comfortable. At least one cleaning per month should be done to achieve this.
Skin shedding. Snakes shed their skin periodically. You will know this happens because the white skin covering their eyes loses its shine. When you detect this change, you should facilitate access to a place with water, so place a bowl full of water in the terrarium.
Feeding throughout your life
It is a carnivorous animal so, making it clear that it feeds on animals, there is always the option of using live or dead animals. If the first option is chosen, the animal should be shaken in front of the reptile to attract its attention. If dead animals are chosen, it is best to buy frozen mice.
But how many animals do they need? What is the most advisable diet as time goes by? The recommendation is to consult with the veterinarian, but keeping in mind that the size of the animal should always be proportional to the size of the reptile and following the Munson Plan, the corn snake needs the following rations during its life:
- Newborn: one pinky mouse (a baby mouse) every 5 days.
- Between 1 and 4 months: two pinky mice every 5 days.
- Between 4 and 6 months: a pinky mouse with first coat once a week.
- Between 6 and 9 months: one small mouse every week.
- Between 9 and 12 months: one medium-sized mouse every week.
- Between 12 and 18 months: one adult mouse every week.
- Snake over 400 grams: a large adult mouse every week.
Now that you know why it has become the most popular snake, do you need more reasons to get your new pet? Something tells us you don’t…
