Pantherophis guttatus
Corn Snake
Corn snakes are widely regarded as the best beginner snake: modest in size, calm in temperament and undemanding in their requirements.
ColubridaeLifespan 15–20 yearsCare complexity 2/5Suitable for beginners
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Pantherophis guttatus
- Family
- Colubridae
- Origin
- Southeastern United States
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
- Adult size
- 120–180 cm
- Weight
- 500–900 g
- Temperament
- Placid, rarely defensive and easy to handle
- Activity level
- Crepuscular and exploratory
- Social needs
- Solitary
- Intelligence
- Learns handling routines and enclosure layout
- Noise
- Silent
Housing and environment
- Housing
- Minimum 120 x 60 x 60 cm with an absolutely secure lid
- Space requirement
- Length is more important than height, though corn snakes enjoy climbing
- Temperature
- Warm end 29–32°C, cool end 21–24°C
- Humidity
- 40–50%, raised during shedding
- Exercise
- Climbing branches and deep substrate for burrowing
- Grooming
- Provide a humid hide during shedding
Diet and feeding
Appropriately sized frozen-thawed rodents every 7–14 days
Behaviour and compatibility
Burrowing, climbing, musking when first handled
- With children
- Good for supervised older children
- With other animals
- House alone
- Training difficulty
- Not applicable; tames with regular gentle handling
Health
- Respiratory infections
- Scale rot from damp substrate
- Retained eye caps
- Mites
- Regurgitation from handling after feeding
Reptile vet required; never handle for 48 hours after a meal
Special care requirements
Escape-proofing is critical — corn snakes find every gap in an enclosure