Your Top Corn Snake Questions, Answered.
Corn snakes are a semi-arboreal species of snake native to the southeastern United States, parts of Mexico, and the Cayman Islands. They are most often found in tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. In this article, we will be covering some of the most common questions we received about Corn Snakes! For more information about these amazing snakes, check out our complete care guide here: Corn Snake Care Sheet Provided By ReptiFiles.
What Do Corn Snakes Eat?
Mice and young rats are the most popular feeders for Corn Snakes; however, Corn Snakes are rarely picky, and a variety is often appreciated! To get a full list of other food items you can offer your Corn Snake, check out our full guide here: Corn Snake Complete Food Guide – Zen Habitats.
Can Corn Snakes Eat Insects?
No, Corn Snakes do not naturally consume insects. They do eat a wide variety of small mammals, birds, and reptiles in the wild, which we can replicate in captivity by offering different sources of prey.
How Often Do Corn Snakes Need To Be Fed?
Hatchling Corn Snakes will eat every 5-7 days, and adult Corn Snakes will eat every two to three weeks.
How Long Can Corn Snakes Go Without Eating?
Adult Corn Snakes can go 2-3 months without food, and sometimes longer in extreme cases. However, this is not healthy for your Corn Snake to go for prolonged periods without food, and a visit to an exotic veterinarian should be made to address any potential issues.
Should I Feed My Corn Snake Out Of Its Enclosure?
A common myth says that you should remove your snake from their enclosure while feeding to avoid “cage aggression”, however we now know that this is false. Removing your Corn Snake to feed them can cause stress, lower feeding response, and even cause regurgitation. The reason a snake may be perceived to have cage aggression is due to their feeding response when you open their enclosure. This can be due to infrequent handling or not being hook trained, so they associate the cage opening with receiving food. More frequent handling and tap training your snake with a hook will help them differentiate meal times from handling sessions.
How Big Do Corn Snakes Get?
Corn Snakes can grow to be between 4-5 feet when full grown. Although that may sound like a large snake, they are rather slender bodied animals.
How Long Do Corn Snakes Live?
Corn Snakes can live 20+ years in captivity with proper care!
Are Corn Snakes Venomous/Poisonous?
Corn Snakes are not venomous, and not poisonous. They have bright colors, which tricks other animals into thinking they might be poisonous and may make a hungry predator think twice before choosing a Corn Snake for lunch! They are also not venomous, which means if you happen to be bitten by a Corn Snake, you do not need to worry.
Do Corn Snakes Bite?
Everything with a mouth CAN bite, and Corn Snakes are no exception! Corn Snakes are not likely to bite, especially if they are treated with respect and not startled. They can also bite if they mistake your hands for food, so hook training your Corn Snake may be beneficial to let them know when it is time to be taken out of their terrarium. Their bites are generally not painful, and more startling than anything.
What Size Terrarium For A Corn Snake?
Corn Snakes should have a terrarium that is at least 48x18x16. Corn Snakes are very active and enthusiastic climbers and would appreciate more climbing space. We recommend our 4x2x2 Meridian Zen Habitats Reptile Enclosure for a spacious habitat for a Corn Snake!
How Often Do Corn Snakes Shed?
Hatchling Corn Snakes will shed every 4-6 weeks, and adult Corn Snakes will shed every couple of months.
Are Corn Snakes Nocturnal?
Corn Snakes are primarily diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day.
Do Corn Snakes Like To Be Held?
Corn Snakes are very tolerant of handling! They can sometimes be flighty when they are young but tend to calm down with age once they become more comfortable with being handled.
Can Corn Snakes Live Together / Be Cohabitated?
Corn Snakes are not social animals and should not be housed together. Cohabitating Corn Snakes may cause stress, injury, or even death if the snakes are much different in size.
Do Corn Snakes Need UVB?
Corn Snakes do not require UVB to survive, however since they are a diurnal species, they would be receiving UV exposure in the wild. Offering UV, overhead heat, and a bright full spectrum daylight bulb to your Corn Snake will be the closest to their natural habitat. To learn more about Corn Snake lighting and heating, check out our full guide here: Corn Snake Complete Lighting And Heating Guide.
