Corn snakes?

Question

I'm thinking about getting a Corn snake, but I would like to know if it is possible to convert an old fish tank into a Vivarium or if i should just buy one, (the tank is 3 foot by 1foot) what do i need to do in terms of heat and UV lamps with these snakes, how often will they need to be fed i mean i know its about once a week and how big do these things grow, ive heard so many different esitmates

and i need a good name for one =) thanks for all your help, if you could outline the way you care for them that would be great, im trying to get a good idea at this stage

Answer 1

Great choice, I've kept and bred them for years. Your old tank is fine, its a good size for a corn which average about 3 1/2 - 5 feet as adults . The catch is to find a good secure fitting lid for it, all snakes are escape artists and they can fit through surprisingly small openings. Corns are not that demanding in terms of heat, a reptile heat pad under one end of the tank will suffice. They do not require UV lighting. They are very reliable feeders and take frozen/ thawed mice easily. Hatchlings eat every 5 to 7 days and adult about every 7 to 10 days. A water dish and a couple places to hide under and that's all you need.

Answer 2

good snake had one. it is a rat snakes and more active then boas. depending on snake size, the bigger tank the better. being a native species heat may not be a factor. just don't let it get cool. the snake does not get very big a 4 footer would be large.great snake. i'd feed it a couple of mice a week and see how it does. if it become extra active in your tank it maybe searching for food...keep an eye out

Answer 3

Corns are great snakes, and their care requirements are quite simple, making them a great "first" reptile. The aquarium you have should be just fine, just make sure it is thoroughly cleaned, and as has already been said, make sure you get a tight fitting lid for it, or they can escape, they are sneaky little buggers. : )

Undertank heaters are the safest and most effective method of heating, and make sure you attach it to a thermostat to keep it at the proper temps. Most UTH will run at 100-110 degrees if left unregulated, which is too warm. Simply place the UTH under the tank per directions on the package, it should only cover 1/3 to no more than 1/2 of the bottom, to allow the snake to thermoregulate. Plug it into the thermostat, plug the thermostat in, and adjust as necessary to keep it at the proper temps. No lighting is needed, as corns are nocturnal by nature. Supply him with 2 hide boxes in the tank, one on the warm side, and one on the cool side, again so he can choose which side he wants to be on, and still feel secure. Add a water dish and some substrate, and you are set to go! It's best to get the cage set up at least a week in advance of getting the snake, to make sure you have the temps stabilized and everything is ready to go.

I use either shredded Aspen or newspaper for substrate with all of my corns.....never use cedar shavings, as they are toxic to snakes. I do "spot cleaning" on a daily basis (or whenever they poo or release urates) by picking out the soiled area and replacing just that bedding I pick out, and a complete bedding change and cage cleaning as needed, usually only every couple of weeks to a month. Sand is a bad choice for substrate as well, as it can be ingested and lead to impaction, holds moisture and bacteria, and can get under the scales and cause problems.

Feeding is done on a weekly basis. Give him a week or so to adjust to his new home after you get him, and then begin feeding. I feed corns every Wednesday.....I simply pick out what different sizes of frozen mice I need, drop them into plastic baggies, and float them in a sinkful of hot water for 20 minutes or so....then go around and just drop the mice into the cages.

Corns can get up to 5 feet long or so, but are slender snakes. They tend to be quite active when held as babies, but will "mellow out" with age and regular, proper handling.

Answer 4

i have a corn snake :D an aquiruim would work find. :D i would get a daylight uv light and a heat pad for underneath :D. i feed my snake once a week. Adult Corn Snakes normally range from about 3 to 5 feet in length. I bought a starburst corn snake and i named it Twizzler :D. For bedding i like to use calcium sand :D and you will need 2 hidding spots for ur new pet. i use those coconut houses at the pet stores. :D
for more care info
go to
http://www.anapsid.org/corn.html

Answer 5

i have corn snakes and when its small its fine to use the fish tank for it but once it starts getting bigger you might want to get a bigger tank....make sure there is a stick in the cage so it can get ride of its skin when its shedding.... ive never had to sue heat laps for my snaks its hot in cali so my snakes dont need it and during the winter they hibernate.sp?.but if you want to you can get it a heat lamp... umm usually we feed them once a week mine are pretty big know so they get pretty big size rats...

Answer 6

i think the tank size is fine . i don’t feel like writing it all out so here is a link to a cage sheet -

http://www.petco.com/caresheets/snakes/Snake_Corn.pdf

And it says all you pretty much need to know
i would name the snake Esmeralda or pumpkin ( that would sound cute) or Lemon its a little different but i think it would be a conversation piece
well I hope you find a good name for him/her and that you enjoy your new pet !

Answer 7

You need to buy a real cage.
Many people use aquariums with removable tops- and the snakes ALWAYS seem to escape.
Just look at all the people asking "My snake got out how do I find it" on YA. Yep, aquariums with removable tops!

http://www.customcages.com/
http://www.boaphileplastics.com/