i might take in a corn snake

a woman i work with mentioned her friend has a 4/5 year old corn snake. she had kids and decided she's not caring for him as well as she should, and is looking to rehome him. i told my coworker to pass along my contact info but to say i have not made a commitment to take him yet.

i'm wondering: what would i expect? their humidity needs are lower, they're supposed to be simple to care for and eat well. i chose balls bc they're docile and slow-going; how different are corns? i'm interested in owning a corn snake, i'm just not familiar with them at all and wondering if it's something i can take on.

thanks for reading!

Cornsnake owner here. Full disclosure, I've never owned a BP.

They are docile, beautiful, graceful, athletic - you can watch yours climb a corner up a vertical wall if there is anything at all to grip. They are out a bit more than is described for BP's. Mine is an easy feeder. They rarely just "sit" with you. They tend to always be exploring when out.

I really don't think you can go wrong with one. I would have a few more if space wasn't an issue.

Corn Snakes are great! i currently have 2. i have a nearly 400gram juvenile and a teeny-tiny hatchling. they're soooo much easier to care for compared to my BP's. i don't even have them on hotspots or heat up their feeders and they are thriving. they even shed easier in my experience. always perfect. the only thing is that they are really squirmy as babies, defensive and will rasp/rattle their tails. but u are adopting an adult. with handling, they can chill out as they get older. still they are definitely more active and faster than BP's.

a little variety is good. check out the care sheet for more husbandry info - https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ttata-guttata)

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Originally Posted by distaff

I really don't think you can go wrong with one. I would have a few more if space wasn't an issue.

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thank you for your insight!

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Originally Posted by Ax01

check out the care sheet for more husbandry info - https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ttata-guttata)

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thank you for your insight as well as the info! i've definitely some reading to do.

I own royals as well as corns, and I really do like my corns, I love them all of course. The corns are a lot more active and inquisitive, also easier to care for husbandry wise, and they never miss a meal! They definitely seem more energetic and alert than BPs. I say go for it! You wont have any regrets :)

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Seconding all of this! Something else to keep in mind is that because of their inquisitive nature, they're consummate escape artists.

thanks everyone. i asked for pictures of him and his tank, hoping i can take it all with him, but haven't made up my mind yet.
space is an issue for me: do corns do okay in tubs? are they secure enough for corns?

My corns were in tubs for a long time... and while they didn't escape, it was not sufficient for them. This is a *really* active species and they need a large container if we want to be taking *good* care rather than bare minimum for survival. A 20 gallon long is the bare minimum for an adult corn. Much more ideal is a 40 gallon breeder. My own corns are now all in caging that is 36" by 18" on floor space and I wish I could have gotten larger caging for them but we barely got these units into my house as is and I spent a few thousand on housing for 14 snakes. My largest boy is still crazy cramped in that and next year, once I save up money again, he'll be getting a 4ft by 2ft cage as he is 5 1/2 feet long.

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Originally Posted by Spiritserpents

My largest boy is still crazy cramped in that and next year, once I save up money again, he'll be getting a 4ft by 2ft cage as he is 5 1/2 feet long.

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would you mind sharing photos of him? i never realized they get that big, and i'm questioning if i have the space (i currently live with my parents).

Eugene is an abnormal moose of a snake. And some of his babies with my 4 ft ghost were also unusually large. I kept back a daughter I named Ms. Moose and in a couple years I'll be breeding her back to him to see if I make more giant corns. Most corns average 3 to 4 1/2 feet long.

This is Eugene next to Tor, my 4ft ghost female.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...3%2FIjFONB.jpg

and in hand... Mind that I am a woman and only 5'6" tall. It's kinda cool to have a snake as big as me.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...4%2FbWezlI.jpg

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Originally Posted by Spiritserpents

This is Eugene next to Tor, my 4ft ghost female.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...3%2FIjFONB.jpg

and in hand... Mind that I am a woman and only 5'6" tall. It's kinda cool to have a snake as big as me.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...4%2FbWezlI.jpg

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gosh they are beautiful.

obviously i don't plant to live with my 'rents forever, but i'd feel bad for taking in an animal and providing subpar housing for a species so active. do they prefer higher enclosures? a long tub i might be able to swing but only if it's appropriate.

seriously thank you for all your insight.

A long tub will hold them over. I was unable to provide the long tubs for the number of corns I used to have. I budgeted for nice caging and then sold a lot of snakes that I had used primarily as breeders. I am now down to just 2 females of breeding size right now and I'm quite happy with that. I have 14 corns and 2 ball pythons at this point.

If you have the time and space I would definitely say go for it!! I had a Corn years ago, but now have a King. Both being colubrids they are very similar in husbandry and temperament. Super easy to care for, fun, inquisitive personalities, and just a rewarding snake to keep. Definitely different than BPs, but in a good way. I love keeping both colubrids and BPs for different reasons and can't ever see myself not keeping both.
My Cal King is about a year and a half-two years old, just over 48" and about 630grams and does extremely well in a 40 gal breeder tank, but would be fine in a 20 gallon, I think.
I just got back into keeping snakes after taking many years off, so right now I have only my King and my BP. My next two will be another BP and another colubrid, I just haven't decided between a corn a Mexican black King or a hognose, but there will definitely be more colubrids joining the family in the future.
I hope you're able to make it work for you and the Corn, I know you won't regret it as long as you have the time and space.

...and no, you won't need a high enclosure, they aren't big climbers

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Originally Posted by Spiritserpents

A long tub will hold them over.

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if i decide to take him in that's what i might do, but hopefully i'll get the tank he's been living in and upgrade down the road.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

If you have the time and space I would definitely say go for it!!
...and no, you won't need a high enclosure, they aren't big climbers

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once i get pictures i'll post them and see if the enclosure is something he should stay in. i have no clue about his husbandry and enclosure atm.

thank you both for your insight. i would like to bring this guy home if i can!

i really appreciate everyone's replies.
i was sent this picture from the owner: what do you think of the set up?
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...60d62d13c4.jpg

bulbs are uncharted territory for me; are they necessary?
also i'm assuming a quarantine is in order.
and and all inputs are welcome. i really am leaning towards going for it. 😀

Definitely quarantine, and corns are a crepescular species; they're most active around dawn and dusk and therefore do better with belly heat. I would recommend getting a UTH and a thermostat and giving it heat that way instead. Also, those stick-on dial thermometers are a load of crap. My corns do fine with the ambient air temperatures in my house as long as they have a warm spot they can lay on as they desire. No need to heat up the entire tank.

here's the bugger in question. morph id? i know nothing 😊
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2b9425d16f.jpg

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Originally Posted by Spiritserpents

Definitely quarantine, and corns are a crepescular species; they're most active around dawn and dusk and therefore do better with belly heat. I would recommend getting a UTH and a thermostat and giving it heat that way instead. Also, those stick-on dial thermometers are a load of crap. My corns do fine with the ambient air temperatures in my house as long as they have a warm spot they can lay on as they desire. No need to heat up the entire tank.

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awesome, i can get a UTH and i have some spare 'stats lying around since i just bought Herpatats.
yes i know they're crap, and they will be upgraded.
thank you so much!

Morph-wise, looks like its probably a hypo from the photo you provided.

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Originally Posted by Spiritserpents

Morph-wise, looks like its probably a hypo from the photo you provided.

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cool, was just curious.

well i'll be picking up Corny the corn snake some time this weekend. :D the family and i live a good distance apart so we still have to coordinate but i'm very happy to finally pull the trigger on this! i've already got the UTH and acurite thermometer/hygrometer and have a spare thermostat, so i'm ready for him!!! a whole new species of snake...i'm anxious but excited!!!

Awesome!! I'm glad you decided to go for it!! I really think you'll enjoy your new animal. And the snake is in good hands with you. I had actually forgotten about this thread, and have since added 2 juvenile corns myself!! I forgot how quick they are when they are juveniles!! They are awesome though!! My female plasma just had her first shed with me a few days ago, perfect one piece easy breezy shed.
Anyway, please share some pics once your new addition is settled with you.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Awesome!! I'm glad you decided to go for it!! I really think you'll enjoy your new animal. And the snake is in good hands with you. I had actually forgotten about this thread, and have since added 2 juvenile corns myself!! I forgot how quick they are when they are juveniles!! They are awesome though!! My female plasma just had her first shed with me a few days ago, perfect one piece easy breezy shed.
Anyway, please share some pics once your new addition is settled with you.

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that's awesome to hear about your two new bbys!!!
i'm happy i went for it, too! my household got crazy right after i posted this so i had to wait until things settled down to commit. i can't wait to learn about corn snakes hands-on. i will definitely post pictures once i get the little guy; i can't wait!!!

after a bit of delay, Mr. Corny the corn snake is coming to his new home today!!! i'm not sure of the exact time he'll be here, but my coworker and i are in contact and today is the day they'll be dropping him off! i'll probably start a new thread but i just want to post here and say i'm so excited!

Awesome!!! :gj:

he made it!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0903f85e4f.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...435e47b990.jpg

Beautiful. I used to keep them when I was a kid. They are a lot of fun. Love the reds on those guys.