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Corn snakes are one of the most popular pet snakes in the US!
It’s easy to see why, with their calm demeanor, relatively small bodies, and ease of care.
Another interesting fact is that corn snakes can live over 20 years old in captivity.
And under the right care, yours can too!
This post dives into information about the corn snake, like its natural habitat, behaviors, and feeding habitats.
And if you’re searching for a home for your corn snake, we have helpful tips for setting up the ideal corn snake enclosure!
Natural Habitat of a Corn Snake
Corn snakes are native to North America and most commonly found in southeastern regions of the US.
They’re adaptive reptiles, but they thrive in temperate climates.
You can often find them in wooden groves, rocky areas, and meadowlands.
Behavior and Temperament
Corn snakes are diurnal, meaning they’re most active during the day.
They are a ground-dwelling species, so you’ll usually find them in caves, or nestled under rocks, logs, and bushes.
They will climb into trees or other elevated services, but they prefer the safety of the ground level.
Also, corn snakes are used to temperate in the eastern United States.
On scorching days, they’ll venture out in the morning, then retreat under a rock or in a burrow if it gets too hot.
And finally, corn snakes are not aggressive towards people, making them a common pet.
In the wild, however, they’re very active hunters.
Like many of their snake relatives, they use their strong sense of smell to search for prey, quickly attack and constrict it, and swallow the prey whole.
Requirements for a Corn Snake Enclosure
Recommended Enclosure Size
A full-grown corn snake can grow to around 5 feet long and you need to make sure they have room to stretch out and roam around.
If you start with a small enclosure for a baby snake, make sure you size up accordingly.
Thankfully, we have a Vision Cage for every step of the way:
- Baby Corn Snake: The Model 221 [12″H x 28″L x 22″D]
- Juvenile Corn Snake: The Model 332 [21″H x 36″L x 23″D]
- Adult Corn Snake: The Model 433 Cage [28″H x 48″L x 28″D]
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Model 221 Cage$289.00 – $349.00 -
Model 332 Cage$599.00 – $699.00 -
Model 433 Cage$889.00
Temperature in a Corn Snake Enclosure
Your cage will need a temperature gradient to keep your snake comfortable. This gradient should consist of a cool, warm, and basking area.
- Cool Area: 75°-80°
- Warm Area: 80°-85°
- Basking Area: 88°-92°
- Ambient Night Time Temperature: 75°
Decrease the light and temperature at night to mimic a corn snake’s typical day-night schedule.
Our cages can come equipped with high-quality heating attachments and you can easily regulate the cage temperature with a 1000-watt thermostat and probe.
Humidity for Corn Snakes
We recommend maintaining internal cage humidity between 40-50%.
You can measure the humidity levels by placing a humidity gauge in the middle of your snake’s cage.
Is the humidity dropping below 40%?
You can increase the level by spraying mist inside the enclosure twice a day (once in the morning and once at night).
We also offer substrates and misters to help you maintain this humidity level.
Recommended Cage Bedding and Substrate
In their natural habitat, corn snakes spend most of their time on the ground, so the substrate is vital.
To mimic their natural environment, It’s wise to have some type of bark or soil.
We offer a mold-resistant bark-based substrate that holds and releases moisture to maintain humidity. It also allows for burrowing underneath, which is ideal for this snake.
Alternative Substrates
You can use common household items like paper towels or newspapers because they absorb moisture, are easy to replace, and they’re cheap.
However, it doesn’t contribute to the cage aesthetic and you’ll have to replace them often, so it’s not the preferred method, but it is the most cost-effective.
It’s best to avoid fine cedar or pine shavings as a substrate. This material gives off a strong scent and leaves chemicals on your snake’s scales, which will be harmful.
Best Cage Accessories
Corn snakes are ground-dwellers, but they do spend some time climbing objects. A common image of corn snakes is coiled around a tree branch, so include a branch and some elevated surfaces.
You will need some accessories on the ground level.
These snakes are relatively shy, so you’ll want a hide for both the warm and cool side of the cage.
Two hides with a deep substrate for burrowing will make your snake feel much safer and more comfortable.
We also offer a large selection of water bowls, so you’ll find one that works best for your cage.
Get a Custom Corn Snake Enclosure
Vision Cages come in many standard sizes, but they’re all built to suit.
Explore all of our reptile enclosures today!
If you’re looking for a size or style not shown, reach out to us!
Feeding Your Corn Snake
Preferred Food for Corn Snakes
It’s common to see adult corn snakes in corn fields, using their strong sense of smell to hunt for prey.
Small lizards, frogs, and mice are the preferred food sources for baby and juvenile snakes.
As they grow to adulthood, larger rodents, lizards and birds become more important in their diet.
Ever thought about breeding your own rodents?
Vision Products offers durable and efficient rodent breeding racks that can be scaled to your situation.
How to Properly Feed Your Corn Snake
Like most pet snakes, the best option for feeding corn snakes is with pre-dead rodents.
Make sure to thaw the animal before feeding it to your snake (better to thaw in the fridge, not microwave).
Use prey that is already dead because living prey can scratch and bite your snake causing serious injury, or even death.
Amount Served per Meal
If your snake is still a juvenile, then small feeder mice will work well.
As it becomes an adult, larger rodents will be needed.
A good rule of thumb for food size is to be no wider than the widest part of the snake’s body.
Feeding Frequency
As far as frequency, feed your juvenile corn snake once every 7-10 days, while an adult can be fed once every 14 to 21 days.
Corn snakes love to eat, so they can quickly
Finishing Up
Corn snakes, native mostly to the eastern United States, are one of the most popular snakes in the United States.
These snakes aren’t incredibly unique, but they are incredible pets.
Corn snakes can live to be over 20 years old under proper care (the oldest recorded corn snake in captivity was 32 years old)!
If you accept this time commitment, you may be rewarded with decades of gratifying experiences and companionship.
Start your snake-handling journey today with Vision Products!
We have the tools and expertise you need to give your reptile a long and happy life!
Get in touch with us today if you have any questions about snake enclosures or caring for your corn snake.