Corn or Rat Snake Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

Approximately 10 years

AVERAGE SIZE

 2.5-5 feet long

CAGE TEMPS

Warm side – 85°F

Cool side – 75°F  

CAGE HUMIDIDTY

40%-50% humidity levels

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Corn Snakes are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk. They are generally ground dwellers but are also semi-arboreal (will climb trees). NOTE: All adult snakes should be housed separately, apart from other snakes, even those of the same species. 

DIET

Carnivorous; frozen thawed mice or rats (size depending on age and size of snake). Corn and Rat Snakes should be fed every 4-10 days, juveniles will generally eat more often than adults. DO NOT FEED LIVE PREY.

SOAKING

Snakes benefit greatly from a good deep-water soak at least once a week. 

SUPPLEMENTS

Supplementation is not normally necessary for snakes, as they consume whole prey. 

WATER

A large bowl of clean fresh chlorine-free water must always be available. Change water out daily. 

HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT

To regulate their body temperature, a warm side and cool side of the enclosure should be maintained. 

ENCLOSURE SIZE

A Corn or Rat Snake tank should be at least a 20 Gal long tank for an adult. Make sure the tank has a very secure mesh lid.  

UVB LIGHT

While Corn nor Rat Snakes do not require UVB, exposure to it can be beneficial for the snakes overall health and well-being.

HIDE HOUSE

Place a hide house inside the cage directly over where you have positioned a heating pad or directly under the heat lamp above. 

SUBSTRATE

We recommend a shredded aspen or reptile carpeting. 

BRANCHES & PLANTS

Corn Snakes do enjoy climbing so sturdy climbing branches, rocks and plastic plants and can be included in their enclosure. 

DAY/NIGHT LIGHT CYCLES & HEATING

All snakes must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. Snakes need 8-12 hours of daytime and nighttime. 

HABITAT MAINTENANCE 

Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every month. 

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• 20 Gal long (or larger) tank with very secure mesh top (24”L x 12”W)
• Large dome & appropriately sized heat light
• UVB bulb & housing (optional)
• Under tank heating pad
• Temperature/humidity gauge
• Shredded aspen bedding or reptile carpet
• Live or artificial plants & branches (reptile-safe)
• Terrarium moss
• Large crock water bowl - big enough to soak in
• Frozen mice
• Dry hide house
• Humidity box with terrarium moss for shedding time
• Water dechlorinate drops 

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.