Are corn snakes good snakes?

Question

how long does a female get? male? how thick? are they aggresive? many questions :)

Answer 1

Corn snakes are, in my opinion, one of the best beginner snakes out there. Some say ball pythons are good, but they have more complex habitat requirements, shedding issues, and are very finicky eaters. Corn snakes are the way to go.

They average around 4 feet, can get up to ~5, with females larger than males. They are generally very placid snakes, and with regular handling, become very calm.

There are a lot of good caresheets out there that will answer most of your questions, here's a great one to get you started.

http://www.newenglandreptile.com/CareCorn.html

Answer 2

Could not agree with snake_girl more....

Corn snakes (otherwise known as red rat snakes) are indeed among, if not THE, best snakes for beginners to learn the ins and outs of keeping snakes. Other rat snakes are also fairly decent but tend to be more likely to bite.

Corns are much more prone to be tame, especially if captive bred, even more especially if you own it yourself from early in its own life. Hatchlings of any kind are tricky for beginners, but if you buy one that's about a foot long or so, that's a good point to start.

BTW, she's also on the money re: ball pythons. I don' t know WHY pet shops sell these to beginners (well, yes I do) but they are indeed tough to feed sometimes. I inherited one from a disinterested friend, and while the snake WOULD eat, it would do so on its own terms and in its own time. Thank goodness I had my Ripley at the same time. (Rip was a yellow rat that I "saved" from some ignorant neighbors, who I would learn had one of the most voracious appetites for a snake her size that I'd ever seen..... another story).

Corns rock!

Answer 3

All the corn snakes I have met have been incredibly sweet, gentle and smart. They are social with people but not other snakes, really. They are a constrictor-type snake like a boa so if they get scared or upset they may constrict on you (your arm or wherever they happen to be) but if you are a good pet owner to them they will trust you and it's fairly easy to get them to relax. Corn snakes are VERY smart which is cool, but it means you have to be really careful with them because they are escape artists!

Some things to remember if you're getting a corn snake for a pet: when they are small you can feed them crickets but as they get older, you will have to feed them baby and eventually adult mice. If you are grossed out by buying frozen baby mice to feed to your pet a corn snake might not be for you. Corn snakes can get up to 6 feet long and need lots of room so make sure you have a large tank for them. Also, and this is very, very important: corn snakes can live to be 20 years old. If you are not sure where you'll be in the next few years (in school, etc) or if you'll be able to have a pet for the long-term, I would recommend not getting a corn snake, for the sake of the snake and for your own sake so you don't have to part with a beloved pet! Good luck!

Answer 4

You have gotten several great answers to this question and, as you can see, the unanimous verdict is that corn snakes make great pets, and are ideal for first time snake owners.

I won't echo what you have already been told, but let me add that corns are a very social snake. They like to be handled and will actually learn to enjoy your company if you handle them on a regular basis. This requires taking them out and handling them on a daily (or near daily) basis. Also, they can become "cage aggressive" if fed inside their cage. They should be fed in a separate area. I am sure that some of this is covered in various care sheets, but I felt the need to point it out.

Answer 5

on the grounds that all 3 have complication-loose features, any could be superb. we've 2 corns and a king for pets. i could seem on the colors and shape of the pinnacle, etc. to establish which you like maximum suitable. Please do not help morphism, nevertheless. it fairly is brutal on the snake's genes. individually, i admire Okeetee corn snakes and banded California king snakes by the seems and temperament. For the record, our king snake is greater aggressive than our corns. yet, a chew from a juvenile king isn't even like the pinch of a youngster.

Answer 6

As previous posted stated, corn snakes are great for a first time snake owner :) They are very docile. Even when provoked, they often still won't bite. I'm not entirely sure how long they get, but it's easy enough to look up.

Answer 7

Many excellent answers, so I won't rehash the info., but I will add, Corn snakes DO NOT eat crickets or insects of any type. They are rodent,& small bird eaters & some will also eat small lizards as juveviles.

Answer 8

ok they a good snake but i would perfer a kingsnake they are a bit more hardy and tame but for your answer normally get up to 3 to 4 feet maybe 6 feet rarly bout a half dollar girth or more babies can fiesty lil thing

Answer 9

http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/snakes/corn-snake.php

Corn snakes are great pets and above is my favorite provider of care sheets!! I wouldn't of gotten my Kings or balls if it wasn't for this web site provider!! Good Luck!

Answer 10

All snakes are good snakes - even the poisonous ones - you just have to keep away from the sharp end.

that said, corn snakes are non-poisonous. I've seen them about 2-3 feet long and about an inch in diameter.

The ones I've seen are wild-caught (and released, please - they eat varmints) so they're not particularly friendly. However, if you have a captive bred specimen - or raised one from a baby - it would be about as friendly as a snake can get.

they're quick - and good escape artists - so be sure your vivarium is quite secure.

Feed them crickets and "pinky" mice from the pet store. If yours grows to a good size, you can start feeding larger mice.