Some corn snake questions.

[Southpaw91]

So, as some of you might know, I have recently graduated my ball python to her adult enclosure, leaving her baby bin and complete setup vacant. I have been wanting a corn snake for a while, and I had a few questions.

So the bin I have is 41qt volume, it is 18"x24" floor space, but only 8" high. I know this is not ideal, but would it be okay for a baby/juvenile corn for a while? If so, I already have heating elements, t-stats, water bowl, substrate, I would just need to pick up a couple hides.

Also, if any of you have any care sheets you like, can you link them? I am just at the beginning stages of research and of course there's always conflicting info out there, but i trust y'all, so just looking for a good jumping off point.

[Bogertophis]

Yes, it's fine for a while, & hatchling corn snakes are so tiny, you're better off making your own hides...small clean cardboard boxes (cut a doorway), cardboard rolls from
paper towels, many things work. If cardboard, throw away & replace when soiled...easy!

I hope you know that corn snakes do NOT require the same temps. as BPs? Much lower...assuming your house is not cold, just heat (UTH) one corner (w/ hide) to mid-
80's MAX, rest of cage can be 70*-78*...they actually seem to prefer low to mid-70's most of the time. I currently keep 5 corns, oldest one is 21 years, & have bred quite
a few in the past.

You'll need pinkie mice, assuming you get a hatchling, & they'll be eating that size for quite a while. Corn snakes change color quite a bit from when they hatch, so go by
the breeder's pics of parents. (the snake's parents, not the breeder, lol)

Corn snakes are tiny, so that means they can escape thru tiny gaps and since they like to climb, make SURE your enclosure is SECURE. You do NOT want to
play hide & seek with a tiny corn snake, it won't likely end well.

[Craiga 01453]

Corn snakes change color quite a bit from when they hatch, so go by
the breeder's pics of parents. (the snake's parents, not the breeder, lol)

Thanks for clearing that up

[Southpaw91]

Thank you! yeah most of the research I have done so far shows 86 max for hot spot. I have uth already set up on this bin and a thermostat so no problems there. My apartment is cold in the winter months but this time of year the low is about 70*.

I still haven't decided if i'll take the plunge yet, as I am limited on space. It just pains me to have an empty enclosure! lol

[Southpaw91]

One more question, I know every snake is different, but on average, i am finding corn snakes take about 2 years to reach adult size. So i'm guessing if i set up a hatchling in there, they would be good for probably about a year before I would need to start preparing to upgrade to adult enclosure? Or do you think sooner? Just trying to work out logistics.

[dakski]

Thank you! yeah most of the research I have done so far shows 86 max for hot spot. I have uth already set up on this bin and a thermostat so no problems there. My apartment is cold in the winter months but this time of year the low is about 70*.

I still haven't decided if i'll take the plunge yet, as I am limited on space. It just pains me to have an empty enclosure! lol

My two cents. I love corns. I have 2. Despite having 3 boas, a Carpet Python, and a ball python, I still love my corns. They come in every color imaginable and pattern too. They are docile and active and great eaters. They do start out very small, but grow fast.

More than 86F and my corns get antsy and uncomfortable.

Because of the cages (Boaphiles) I use and how well insulated they are I range from a 84-85F hot spot down to a 75-77F cool side.

Having said that, a corn will do fine with an 84F hot spot (they need over 82F to digest properly and quickly) and a cool side that's room temp. As long as they can get their body on the hot spot completely.

That bin will be fine even for a younger corn as long as you give enough hides.

If you are looking for a corn I highly recommend Don Soderberg at South Mountain Reptiles. I bought Solana, my scaleless corn from him. Great guy and great animals. I think his website is cornsnake.net, and he picks up the phone if you call and want to talk shop.

Good luck and let us know what you decide or if you have more questions.

[Gocntry]

I hope you know that corn snakes do NOT require the same temps. as BPs? Much lower...assuming your house is not cold, just heat (UTH) one corner (w/ hide) to mid-
80's MAX, rest of cage can be 70*-78*...they actually seem to prefer low to mid-70's most of the time. I currently keep 5 corns, oldest one is 21 years, & have bred quite
a few in the past.

Don't want to steer this thread off course... Quick question....

So my snake room stays warm up to 80*, The rest of the house stays 71* at the coolest to maybe mid 70's depending on outside weather

So If I move my Corn snake out into the main area he would be more comfortable out there with us?? It's easy enough to do, and there is room for him.

[Bogertophis]

Don't want to steer this thread off course... Quick question....

So my snake room stays warm up to 80*, The rest of the house stays 71* at the coolest to maybe mid 70's depending on outside weather

So If I move my Corn snake out into the main area he would be more comfortable out there with us?? It's easy enough to do, and there is room for him.

It's honestly a toss-up: If your corn moves to the 71* area, he needs part (not more than 20% & possibly less) of his home heated to 85* by UTH (-preferably). If he stays where he is at "up to 80*" you can leave his heat OFF, except maybe offer it after meals & see if he uses it, or if this is an adult corn snake (that uses branches) you might try an overhead light (dimmed!) for a few hours of basking time per day, as needed for digestion. Either way, watch what he's doing: if he's too warm, he'll be in or around his water bowl much of the time...so take a hint about what's most comfortable for him by what he shows you. Of course, "up to 80*" might mean 77*, so he still might need a bit more heat to digest. Compared to my house in summer, it's not below 80* for at least a month or more...but I wouldn't expect that to be optimal for ALL year, does that make sense?

Corns are pretty flexible...my home is set to 70* (heat) in winter, & in the summer, my A/C is set to 80-82*...at that time most of my snakes' heat is OFF, for maybe a month or so. (with some exceptions- but certainly for my corn snakes) And btw, I've never had a corn snake with an R.I.

That's a good question & not off-topic at all. Living with snakes is just about making it work for you & yours. Between the 2 options, if your temperatures are
as described all year, I'd move him out of the snake room, to where he has more temperature choices.

[Gocntry]

It's honestly a toss-up: If your corn moves to the 71* area, he needs part (not more than 20% & possibly less) of his home heated to 85* by UTH (-preferably). If he stays where he is at "up to 80*" you can leave his heat OFF, except maybe offer it after meals & see if he uses it, or if this is an adult corn snake (that uses branches) you might try an overhead light (dimmed!) for a few hours of basking time per day, as needed for digestion. Either way, watch what he's doing: if he's too warm, he'll be in or around his water bowl much of the time...so take a hint about what's most comfortable for him by what he shows you. Of course, "up to 80*" might mean 77*, so he still might need a bit more heat to digest. Compared to my house in summer, it's not below 80* for at least a month or more...but I wouldn't expect that to be optimal for ALL year, does that make sense?

Corns are pretty flexible...my home is set to 70* (heat) in winter, & in the summer, my A/C is set to 80-82*...at that time most of my snakes' heat is OFF, for maybe a month or so. (with some exceptions- but certainly for my corn snakes) And btw, I've never had a corn snake with an R.I.

That's a good question & not off-topic at all. Living with snakes is just about making it work for you & yours. Between the 2 options, if your temperatures are
as described all year, I'd move him out of the snake room, to where he has more temperature choices.

Adult corn in a 36x18x18 Exo-Terra front opening for now. (still working on AP cages with radiant panels for all snakes)

The house ambient temp is 71* winter / 78* Summer , he has a UTH (an ultra therm controlled by a herpstat).

So looks like he would be comfortable out in the main room year round with out issues

[Bogertophis]

Adult corn in a 36x18x18 Exo-Terra front opening for now. (still working on AP cages with radiant panels for all snakes)

The house ambient temp is 71* winter / 78* Summer , he has a UTH (an ultra therm controlled by a herpstat).

So looks like he would be comfortable out in the main room year round with out issues

That's my take on it too. Snakes evolved making temperature choices, so keeping them at one temp. that's on the warm side "long-term" is probably not the best for their health- IMO. Most of the time I see my corn snakes preferring to use no heat, just the cooler room temps that are ambient temps in their homes too. In fact I've read it's no problem even if the temps drop to mid-upper 60's overnight, but mine never do anyway...I just know some ppl like to lower the heat @ night, & as long as your corn snakes have a heat option (warm hide), I wouldn't expect them to refuse food or become ill. They're wonderfully-adaptable pets.

One thing: if your corn snake is young, it's best to use UTH, as they need to hide...but as they become adults, if you want to use any type of over-head heat instead, they'll have to adapt (be bold enough) to use that (assuming the enclosure is tall enough for them to have branches?), & what you could do is attach
a woven basket (or similar thing for them to use as a hide) to the branches so it's closer to the warmth (which rises & doesn't effectively reach the cage floor
so well). Many of my rat snakes appear to LOVE sleeping in their baskets, & they have a choice between that or a hide over a UTH. It's just something I've
noticed...they enjoy "tree houses" and it's really cute to watch.