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Corn snakes are one of the best snakes for beginners. They're docile, easy to handle, come in dozens of colours and patterns, and have simple care needs. With the right setup, a corn snake can live for 15–20 years.
Corn snakes at a glance
| Adult size | 120–150cm |
| Lifespan | 15–20+ years |
| Vivarium | At least 120 x 60 x 60cm (4ft) for an adult |
| Warm end | 28–30°C |
| Cool end | 22–25°C |
| Humidity | 40–60% |
| Diet | Frozen-thawed mice |
1. The vivarium
Hatchlings can start in a smaller enclosure, but adults need at least a 4ft vivarium. Corn snakes are excellent escape artists, so make sure doors lock and vents are secure. The Vivexotic Repti-Home Maxi Large is a good choice. Browse all vivariums.
2. Heating
Create a temperature gradient with heat at one end only.
- A heat mat works well for smaller setups. In larger vivariums, a ceramic heater in a lamp holder with a guard is better.
- Always use a thermostat.
- Guard all heat lamps. See guards and reflectors.
- Check both ends with a digital thermometer.
Read our reptile heating guide.
3. Lighting
Corn snakes can live without UVB, but a day/night cycle and low-level UVB are beneficial. See our reptile lighting guide.
4. Hides, substrate and decor
- Provide at least two hides: one at the warm end and one at the cool end.
- Corn snakes love to burrow. ProRep Lignocel or aspen-style substrates are ideal. See substrates.
- Add branches and cork bark for climbing. Browse reptile decoration.
- A water bowl big enough to soak in.
5. Feeding
- Feed frozen-thawed mice, never live.
- Prey should be about the same width as the widest part of the snake.
- Hatchlings: one pinkie every 5–7 days. Adults: one adult mouse every 10–14 days.
- Thaw fully at room temperature, warm slightly, and offer with long tongs.
- Don't handle for 48 hours after feeding.
6. Shedding
Before shedding, the eyes turn cloudy blue and the snake may hide and refuse food. A humid hide filled with damp moss helps it shed in one piece. If skin gets stuck, a shallow lukewarm soak usually helps. See our humidity guide.
Handling
Give a new snake a week to settle. Then pick it up gently from the side, never from above, support its body and keep sessions short at first. Most corn snakes become very tame.
