Corn snake
Pantherophis guttatus
Profile
| Home: | Southern North America |
| Keeping: | Dry terrarium |
| Size: | up to 180 cm |
| Reproduction: | egg-laying |
| Sex- difference: |
Male has a longer tail |
| Diet: | Mice, small mammals |
Corn snake
Probably the most popular snake kept in captivity with an exceptionally high number of breedings, which increase the colour spectrum.
Area of origin:
Widespread throughout the whole of the southern and eastern USA and in north-eastern Mexico. A few isolated populations are also found outside this area.
The corn snake normally lives in woodland areas, overgrown plantations, roadsides and on rocky slopes or old masonry, but can also be found in farmland and cornfields. An excellent climber, but predominantly a ground dweller. The corn snake is diurnal in spring, but active only at dusk in summer.
Description:
The body is slender with a small distinct head. The colouration of these slender snakes varies greatly, from rust-brown through orange-red to quite brick-red, but usually between orange and grey with clearly marked brown to red spots on the flanks. The pupil is round. It usually has an oblique eye stripe up to the corners of the mouth and on the underside a slate-blue chequerboard pattern on a cream-coloured background. The scales are black keeled. It grows to 60 - 180 cm long.
Care:
The corn snake is a very popular animal in the terrarium as it is not only persistent but, with good care, easy to breed.
Young corn snakes can be raised in a small tank . As the young snakes also grow large, it is advisable to buy a large terrarium straight away. As adults, corn snakes need a medium-sized terrarium of at least 120 cm length, 60 cm depth and 120 cm height (minimum size for 1 pair). However, the container must not have any gaps or leaks, as corn snakes are born escape artists!
The substrate is made up of a mixture of sand and peat. The floor should be warmed by a heating mat. The decoration of the terrarium should consist of hiding places made of stones, pieces of bark or decorative cork, as well as branches and twigs for climbing. A water container is sufficient. Occasional direct sunlight. The day temperature should be between 22 and 28 degrees C, the night temperature can drop to 18 degrees C. If offspring are desired, a period of hibernation at temperatures of 5 - 12 degrees C should be carried out.
The terrarium should be sprayed moderately with lukewarm water 2-3 times a week, somewhat more frequently before shedding.
If well kept, they reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years and can easily live 12-15 years.
Food:
The corn snake eats strangled small mammals such as mice and young rats, birds, lizards and frogs.
Breeding:
If offspring are desired, hibernation (6-8 weeks) is required for corn snakes.
After mating in spring (gestation period 40-60 days), 3 - 25 eggs glued together in a clutch are laid from May to July. The best thing to do is to fill a large container with peat as a place to lay eggs. After 8 - 10 weeks, young snakes 20 - 24 cm long hatch. After the first shedding, naked mice are accepted. The young can therefore be raised very easily.
Before you decide on corn snakes you should definitely have read the relevant literature.
For questions and problems our trained team at Zoo Roco is at your disposal. They can provide you with expert advice on all matters.
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