Post by Steven on Sept 3, 2004 21:50:49 GMT -5
Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata)
Distribution: Most of United States
Habitat: Hardwood forests
Size: Four feet average
Lifespan: 12 - 15years average with some making it well past 20years
Number of eggs: 5-30
Introduction:
This is an ideal first snake, as it generally has a good disposition. This snake is also very capable of withstanding a large temperature range so it is very hard for the corn snake to not be able to get warm or cold....
Housing:
For hatcling corn snakes, they should be kept in a 10 gallon tank. Until they reach 24" in lenght a 12" by 8" will work. Adult corn snakes should be kept in a 20 to 30 gallon tank, or custom built cage to fit those demensions. Make sure you have locks, that are sold at your local petstore on the cage for that the snake will not get loose! There should be a bowl of water on the cool side of the enclsoure big enough for the snake to soak in. Fake plants and other decor are also appreciated. YOU DO NEED a hide box on the cool side and warm side of your tank, if their is not a hide your snake with get stressed and wont eat! Climbing branches are also appreciated...
Temperature:
Temperatures of the warm side of the enclosure should be from 79 to 85 degrees, with a basking spot of 90, and the cool side should be in the 70's. There different ways to heat you snake, heating pads with should be plugged into a thermostate to control it so it does not overheat, a dome light placed on top of the cage, or you may also use both for belly heat and basking heat. NO HEAT ROCKS! These will burn your snake even hooked up to a thermostate and will also cause fires, very dangerous!!
Substrate:
THE 3 NO NO SUBSTRATES(do not use) CEDAR, SAND, OR GRAVEL! The substrates your are able to use include: newspaper, papertowls, aspen shavings and repti carpet.
Maintenance:
Change the substrate a wipe down the enclosure everytime it is soiled. Change water everytime it is soiled in or as long as 5-7 days. I usually clean my enclosures and change my their water every 5 days when they eat.
Feeding:
Your snake should only be fed captive bred rodents only, do not, i repeat do not go out in your backyard or anywhere else and catch food yourself!! Hatchling corns should be fed the appropiate size new born pinkie mouse, and as they get older and larger the bigger the mouse. I would recommend that you only feed FROZEN/THAWED mice, live mice that are left in the cage or not grabed right by the snake will bite the snake or chew on it, and your snake will probably die, if not very very hurt and will cost your some mula at the vet! For hatchling snakes feed every 5-7 days, and as they get bigger feed about every week or twice a week. IMPORTANT: if fed too much and too big of mice your snakes will have shorter life span and die very early, ony feed appropiate size mice in the correct amont of days and just because they will eat as much as you give them does not mean you do!!
Moss bowl:
Not a neccessity, but they do like this, for shedding or just to hide in, i know mine do! Get a tubaware or some kinda of bowl and fill in with moss found at your petstore and mist it until its damp and this will keep up himidity and help shedding.
Any additions to this care sheet will be appreciated, i did not add breeding but if you wanted to know i can always add it or let your know.
Some words on this species:
Very good beginner snake and come in tons of different morphs! Very good snake and alot of fun!
This is just a basic care sheet. We recommend you do more research on them before getting oneā¦
Distribution: Most of United States
Habitat: Hardwood forests
Size: Four feet average
Lifespan: 12 - 15years average with some making it well past 20years
Number of eggs: 5-30
Introduction:
This is an ideal first snake, as it generally has a good disposition. This snake is also very capable of withstanding a large temperature range so it is very hard for the corn snake to not be able to get warm or cold....
Housing:
For hatcling corn snakes, they should be kept in a 10 gallon tank. Until they reach 24" in lenght a 12" by 8" will work. Adult corn snakes should be kept in a 20 to 30 gallon tank, or custom built cage to fit those demensions. Make sure you have locks, that are sold at your local petstore on the cage for that the snake will not get loose! There should be a bowl of water on the cool side of the enclsoure big enough for the snake to soak in. Fake plants and other decor are also appreciated. YOU DO NEED a hide box on the cool side and warm side of your tank, if their is not a hide your snake with get stressed and wont eat! Climbing branches are also appreciated...
Temperature:
Temperatures of the warm side of the enclosure should be from 79 to 85 degrees, with a basking spot of 90, and the cool side should be in the 70's. There different ways to heat you snake, heating pads with should be plugged into a thermostate to control it so it does not overheat, a dome light placed on top of the cage, or you may also use both for belly heat and basking heat. NO HEAT ROCKS! These will burn your snake even hooked up to a thermostate and will also cause fires, very dangerous!!
Substrate:
THE 3 NO NO SUBSTRATES(do not use) CEDAR, SAND, OR GRAVEL! The substrates your are able to use include: newspaper, papertowls, aspen shavings and repti carpet.
Maintenance:
Change the substrate a wipe down the enclosure everytime it is soiled. Change water everytime it is soiled in or as long as 5-7 days. I usually clean my enclosures and change my their water every 5 days when they eat.
Feeding:
Your snake should only be fed captive bred rodents only, do not, i repeat do not go out in your backyard or anywhere else and catch food yourself!! Hatchling corns should be fed the appropiate size new born pinkie mouse, and as they get older and larger the bigger the mouse. I would recommend that you only feed FROZEN/THAWED mice, live mice that are left in the cage or not grabed right by the snake will bite the snake or chew on it, and your snake will probably die, if not very very hurt and will cost your some mula at the vet! For hatchling snakes feed every 5-7 days, and as they get bigger feed about every week or twice a week. IMPORTANT: if fed too much and too big of mice your snakes will have shorter life span and die very early, ony feed appropiate size mice in the correct amont of days and just because they will eat as much as you give them does not mean you do!!
Moss bowl:
Not a neccessity, but they do like this, for shedding or just to hide in, i know mine do! Get a tubaware or some kinda of bowl and fill in with moss found at your petstore and mist it until its damp and this will keep up himidity and help shedding.
Any additions to this care sheet will be appreciated, i did not add breeding but if you wanted to know i can always add it or let your know.
Some words on this species:
Very good beginner snake and come in tons of different morphs! Very good snake and alot of fun!
This is just a basic care sheet. We recommend you do more research on them before getting oneā¦