| General Information | | | | Butcher Paper, Cypress Mulch, Newspaper and Paper |
| Scientific Name: Elaphe Guttata or Elaphe | | | | Towels. Avoid cedar shavings, cedar chips and sand. |
| Pantherophis | | | | Temperature |
| | | | Cornsnakes rely on thermoregulation to control their |
| Lifespan: 10+ years | | | | body temperature. Since they cannot produce their |
| Housing | | | | own body heat, you must supply them with an |
| Glass aquariums, plastic tubs or custom wooden | | | | environment for them to regulate their own body |
| plastic caging of appropriate size work well for corn | | | | temperatures. Access to warms areas or a basking |
| snakes. A 20 gallon "breeder/long" aquarium with a | | | | spot is very important to your snake's health. To |
| secure lid works well for cornsnake of any age. | | | | maintain health, cornsnakes must be kept at 75-85 F, |
| Making sure the tank is escape proof is essential. | | | | using the higher temperatures to digest their food. A |
| Snakes in general are great escape artists and will not | | | | commonly used method is using a under tank heater |
| hesitate to make a run for it. If you prefer to use | | | | on one side of the tank. UTH's usually are adhesive |
| plastic tubs in a rack system, a 6qt shoebox size | | | | on one side so that they may be stuck directly to |
| container works well for hatchlings, 15qt for yearlings | | | | the tank. Flexwatt heat tape is another option to |
| & sub-adults and 28-32qt tubs for adults. Ventilation | | | | provide belly heat. With any heating device, a |
| holes should be drilled into the container to allow for | | | | thermostat to control the temperature is a must. A |
| proper aeration. | | | | digital thermometer is also essential to accurately |
| It is not recommended to house more then one | | | | monitor temperatures. |
| cornsnake in the same enclosure. The problems that | | | | Sample Feeding Schedule |
| arise from co-habitating include cannibalism, | | | | - Single pinks (2-3g) every 5-7 days (Snake Weight = |
| transmission of disease and stress (stress in itself can | | | | 4-15g) |
| cause a lack of appetite in a snake). It is better to | | | | - Double pinks (3g x 2) every 5-7 days (Snake |
| avoid a problem then create them. | | | | Weight = 16-23g) |
| Corn snakes need plenty of hide boxes. Standard | | | | - Small fuzzies (5-7g) every 5-7 days (Snake Weight |
| toilet paper or paper towel rolls work well for | | | | = 24-30g) |
| hatchlings and sub-adults. Plastic bowls, found at a | | | | - Regular fuzzies (7-9g) every 5-7 days (Snake |
| dollar store, works great for adults. Simply cut a hole | | | | Weight = 30-50g) |
| into one of the sides and turn upside-down. Realistic | | | | - Hoppers (9-12g) every 5-7 days (Snake Weight = |
| hides can be found at a local pet store. We | | | | 51-90g) |
| recommend that hide items chosen are easy to clean | | | | - Weaned (14-20g) every 7-10 days (Snake Weight |
| and disinfect. Make sure you supply a water dish | | | | = 91-170g) |
| large enough for the snake to soak in. Check water | | | | - Adult (24-30g) every 7-10 days (Snake Weight = |
| daily and replace old water every week. Keeping the | | | | 170g+) |
| water dish, substrate, and enclosure clean will insure | | | | Not all cornsnakes will cooperate 100% with this |
| that you snake stays happy and healthy. | | | | sample schedule. The weight ranges given for prey |
| Recommended substrates include Aspen, Astroturf, | | | | items and snakes are approximate. |