Carolina Corn Snake

Carolina Corn Snake

Scientific name: Pantherophis guttatus
Common names: Corn Snake, Red Rat Snake
Adult size: Around 120–150 cm
Lifespan: 15–20+ years

📏 Size

• Adults commonly reach 120–150 cm.
• Females can be slightly larger and heavier than males.

🏡 Housing

• Terrestrial but enjoys climbing.
• Adult minimum around 120 × 60 × 60 cm; larger is preferable.
• Provide snug hides at both warm and cool ends.
• Add branches, cork and foliage for climbing and enrichment.
• Use a secure, escape-proof enclosure.

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking area: 29–31°C
• Warm end: 26–29°C
• Cool end: 21–24°C
• Night: 18–22°C
• Always use a suitable thermostat.

💡 Lighting

• Low-level UVB around 5–7% is beneficial.
• Provide a natural 10–12 hour day/night cycle.
• Ensure shaded areas are available.

💧 Humidity

• Around 40–60% normally.
• Increase slightly during shedding if necessary.
• Provide a humid hide and maintain good ventilation.

🐭 Food

• Feed appropriately sized frozen/thawed rodents.
• Prey should be roughly the same width as the snake's widest point.
• Juveniles generally feed every 5–7 days.
• Adults usually feed every 7–14 days, depending on size and body condition.
• Avoid overfeeding.

💧 Water

• Provide fresh, clean water at all times.
• Use a sturdy bowl large enough for comfortable drinking.
• Replace whenever soiled.

🐍 Shedding

• Eyes may become cloudy and the snake's colours dull before shedding.
• Ensure appropriate humidity and provide a humid hide.
• Never pull retained shed from the snake.

🤲 Handling

• Generally docile and easy to handle when accustomed to people.
• Support the entire body and allow the snake to move naturally.
• Avoid handling for 24–48 hours after feeding.
• Wash hands before and after handling.

❤️ Health

• Monitor appetite, weight, breathing and shedding.
• Watch for mites, respiratory infections and retained shed.
• Good temperatures, UVB and nutrition help maintain long-term health.

🧽 Cleaning

• Spot-clean faeces and urates promptly.
• Remove heavily soiled substrate.
• Clean the water bowl regularly.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect the enclosure periodically.

🏠 Before You Bring Your Snake Home

• Set up and temperature-test the enclosure beforehand.
• Have substrate, hides, heating, UVB and water ready.
• Make sure the enclosure is completely escape-proof.

⚠️ Important Bits

• Corn Snakes are excellent climbers and escape artists.
• Provide both horizontal and vertical enrichment.
• Keep singly housed except for controlled breeding.
• Never use unregulated heat sources.
• Give a new snake time to settle before beginning regular handling.