Corn snake, also known as red rat snake, is a species of rat snake that is a native of North America. Its name is derived from its belly that resembles a corn with its maize-like pattern. These snakes are widespread throughout central and south-eastern United States. Growing up to lengths of 1.2 to 1.8 meters, these snakes are docile, reluctant to bite, have an attractive pattern and are easy to take care of thus one of the most popular pet snakes in the world. In their natural habitats, the corn snakes have a lifespan of up to 15 years, but in captivity they can live up to 23 years. Just like other rat snakes, corn snakes are not venomous.
Species
The Common Corn Snake is brownish-orange in color with red/orange saddles that have black borders. Its belly is normally black and white. The snake resides in southeastern US. Corn snakes also come in different morphs; motley, stripe and Tessera.
Habitat
Wild Corn Snakes live in habitats like forest openings, overgrown fields and abandoned farms and buildings. In the United States, they are found in the southeastern parts. Snakes living in colder regions hibernate during the winter. Those in temperate climate shelter in logs and rock crevices during the winter and emerge to warm themselves in the sun on warm days. This process is referred to as brumation. In cold weather, snakes are not very active and as a result they hunt less.
Diet
The major component of Corn Snakes diet is rodents, mostly rats and mice, which they kill by constriction. The snakes are also agile climbers and may go up tree to search for birds and bats. Since it is difficult to find groups of infant mice in nature, most neonate Corn Snakes have small lizards as their initial meals. Some of the snakes will retain this dietary preference into their adult lives.
Many pet Corn Snake owners feed them on commercially available rodents, mostly consisting of mice, while the younger snakes may be given mouse pups of different sizes and live or dead rats. Frozen mice are recommended since a live prey can be carrying a disease or may injure the Corn Snake if it has not gotten used to live prey.
Water is an essential component of the diet of these pets. Ensure that you regularly provide clean water in the terrarium. The water should preferably be made available in a shallow trough, shallow enough not to drown the snakes
Reproduction
The breeding time for Corn Snakes is shortly after the winter has subsided. The male has to court the female first. After successful courting, it inserts one of its hemipenes and into the female and then ejaculates its sperm. If the female is producing ovaries, the eggs will become fertilized.
After approximately one month of mating, the female will lay 12 to 24 eggs in a moist, warm and hidden place. The eggs have a leathery, flexible shell and are oblong in shape. After about 10 weeks of laying, the young snakes emerge from the eggs by slicing the egg shell.
The Corn Snake is one of the most popular snakes kept by people in captivity. These animals are naturally solitary and therefore cohabitation is not advisable. A large number of the snakes are breed every year to ensure there is enough population to be adopted as pets, thereby reducing the need to collect their specimens from the wild.
Housing
Corn Snakes should be kept in a housing in which they cannot escape. These snakes are experienced escapists and will get away from a housing that is not tightly fastened. Many beginners keeping Corn Snakes mainly lose the snakes to escapes than to death. The snakes have good climbing skills, can squeeze out of very small openings and can push off the top of any aquarium that is not properly fitted using their bodies.
A 5 to 10 gallon aquarium or a plastic tub of similar size is ideal for keeping hatchling Corn Snakes. The snake will require more space as it grows. It is minimum recommended housing size of keeping an adult is a 20 gallon tank. A 40 gallon one is even better as the adult snake will have space to move around. Avoid a very large space that ahs no hiding places; the Corn Snake will get stressed. It is a good idea to use plants and furnish the housing with many hiding spots so that the snake feels secure.
Just like other reptiles, Corn Snakes have no ability to regulate their body’s internal heat. Therefore, you should ensure there is adequate heating in the housing for their wellbeing. The recommended heat gradient is 70°F to 75°F at one side of the housing, and 80°F to 85°F at the other side in order to enable the snake regulate its body heat as necessary by moving to the different temperature environments in the housing. Failing to provide adequate heat may make the snakes experience respiratory infections, poor digestion and ultimately death. On the other hand, excessive heat that the snake cannot escape can cause neurological damage.
Coloring
The many years of selective breeding, domesticated Corn Snakes are available in different patterns and colors. Some of the color morphs available include the normal or wild type snakes, Miami Phase, Okeetee Corns, Candycane, Reverse Okeetee, Fluorescent orange, Sunglow, Bloodred, Crimson, Charcoal, Caramel, Lavender, Cinder, among others.
Conclusion
Corn snakes are a popular pet because of the many beautiful colors that they come in and the easy care that is required when keeping them. Since the snakes are not venomous, they are even a darling among children. Extra care should be taken not to handle the snakes roughly as this may make them to be stressed and they may eventually escape from the confinement.
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