01
Husbandry requirements
Corn Snake — origin: Southeastern United States.
Terrarium temperature gradient
Night min20 °C
Cool side22–24 °C
Warm side27–29 °C
Basking spot28–30 °C
Enclosure (adult)
120 × 60 × 60 cm
Well-sealed terrarium
An escape artist: a locked lid is essential; hides on both sides + branches
Humidity
40–50 %
Raise to ~60% during shedding
Substrate
AspenCypressCoconut fibre
UVB
Optional
Optional; low-level UVB is beneficial
Water source
Always available
A water bowl at all times
Origin
Colubridae
Southeastern United States
02
Feeding & health
Diet
Carnivore — rodents — Appropriately sized mice
An excellent eater, very few refusals
Breeding
Oviparous
Clutch 10–30 eggs/young. Incubation ~60 days
Health watch points
- Respiratory infections
- Mites
- Incomplete shed
- Escape injuries
- Obesity
03
Morphs & genetics
Registry of 23 documented genes and 15 named combos for Corn Snake.
- Amel (Albino) albinoRec
- Ultra ultra alleleRec
- Anery (Type A) anerythristicRec
- Charcoal (Anery B) anery bRec
- Cinder ashyRec
- Kastanie chestnutRec
- Hypomelanistic hypo aRec
- StrawberryRec
- ChristmasRec
- LavaRec
- Dilute dilRec
- CaramelRec
- Lavender lavRec
- Diffused bloodredRec
- Masque maskInc.d
- Sunkissed sunkistRec
- TerrazzoRec
- MotleyRec
- Stripe stripedRec
- Tessera tessDom
- Palmetto palmetto leucisticInc.d
- Microscale micro scaleRec
- Scaleless scaleless cornRec
Named combos — 15 documented combined morphs
SnowBlizzardGhostButterAmberOpalPlasmaMoonstoneGranitePewterFireIceHoneyAvalancheGold Dust
04
Pairing calculator
Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.
🧬
Corn Snake × Corn Snake
Probabilities per gene (independent loci).
GeneParent AParent B
Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.
05
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about keeping the corn snake.
How big does a corn snake get?▾
As an adult, the corn snake measures 120 to 150 cm. Its body stays slender and slim, which makes it a long but light snake that is easy to hold.
What terrarium should you provide, and why close it well?▾
A terrarium of at least 120 × 60 × 60 cm is suitable, provided it is perfectly closed: this snake is a true escape champion and a locked lid is essential. Add hides on both sides as well as a few branches.
What temperatures and humidity does it need?▾
Provide a hotspot of 28 to 30 °C, a warm side at 27–29 °C and a cool side at 22–24 °C, with a nighttime minimum of 20 °C. Humidity is kept between 40 and 50%, to be raised towards 60% during shedding.
What does it eat and how often?▾
It is a carnivore that feeds on appropriately sized mice. Count on one meal every 5 to 7 days for a juvenile and every 7 to 10 days for an adult. Reputed to be an excellent eater, it very rarely refuses its prey.
How long does a corn snake live?▾
Its life expectancy ranges from 15 to 20 years, and some individuals exceed 23 years. It is therefore a long-term commitment.
Is it docile and easy to handle?▾
Yes, it is docile and curious, and lets itself be handled very easily. These qualities make it one of the best snakes to start with.
Does it need UVB lighting?▾
UVB is not mandatory for this species. Low-level UVB lighting is nonetheless beneficial to it.
Is it suitable for a beginner?▾
Perfectly: its reasonable size, reliable appetite and easy-going temperament make it an ideal first snake, as long as its terrarium is well secured against escapes.
What health problems should you watch for?▾
Watch for respiratory infections, mites, incomplete sheds and obesity linked to overfeeding. Injuries from escape attempts are also among the concerns specific to this curious species.
Is it really able to escape easily?▾
Yes, this is one of its well-known peculiarities: the corn snake explores constantly and spots the slightest opening. Semi-arboreal, it readily climbs and lifts poorly fastened lids, hence the importance of a locked closure.
What substrate should you choose?▾
Aspen, cypress and coco fibre are among the substrates well suited to this species. They are chosen according to ease of maintenance and how well they hold the target humidity.
Where does the corn snake come from?▾
It originates from the southeastern United States. This origin explains why it does well with moderate temperatures, milder than those required by desert or tropical species.
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