Care sheet

Corn Snake

Pantherophis guttatus

Also known as: Red Rat Snake

Colubridae · Squamata

BeginnerIUCN LC

Activity: 🌆 Crepuscular
Temperament: Docile
Adult length: 36–72 in
Adult weight: 700–900 g
Lifespan (captivity): 15–23 yrs
Native range: Southeastern United States — pine forests, fields, barns

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Care guide

Overview

Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus) — The archetypal beginner snake: docile, hardy, reliably-feeding, and long-lived. Corn snakes do well at room-temperature ambient with a modest warm side and a basking spot. Respiratory infections are the most commonly seen health issue and almost always trace to incorrect husbandry — cold temperatures, humidity that's too high with poor airflow, or a dirty water bowl. Secure lid latches: corn snakes are accomplished escape artists.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

72–78 °F

Warm side

78–85 °F

Basking spot

85–88 °F

Nighttime

65–75 °F

Humidity (ambient)

40–60%

Shed-cycle boost

60–70%

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Terrestrial

Bioactive setup

Suitable

Minimum size by life stage

Hatchling10 gallon / 20"L x 10"W x 12"H
Juvenile20 gallon long / 30"L x 12"W x 12"H
Adult40 gallon breeder / 36"L x 18"W x 18"H minimum

Housing

Substrate

Depth

1.5–3 in

Safe options

aspen shavingscypress mulchcoco huskpaper-based bedding

Avoid

cedarpinecorn cob

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Strict carnivore

Prey size by life stage

HatchlingPinky to fuzzy mouse
JuvenileHopper to adult mouse
AdultAdult mouse or small rat

Feeding frequency by life stage

HatchlingEvery 5–7 days
JuvenileEvery 7 days
AdultEvery 7–14 days

Prey ratio by body weight

Stage

Body weight

Prey (% BW)

Interval

Hatchling
up to 30 g
10–15%
5–7 days
Juvenile
31–200 g
10–12%
7 days
Subadult
201–500 g
8–10%
7–10 days
Adult
501 g+
5–10%
7–14 days

Feed prey roughly the listed percentage of the snake's current weight, at the listed interval. Use it as a starting point — adjust based on body condition, not the calendar.

Feeding thresholds

Typical hatchling weight

6–15 g

Power-feeding line

> 15% body weight

30-day weight-loss concern

> 10% in 30 days

Supplementation

None required with appropriately-sized whole prey.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Always available; large enough to soak during shed.

Soaking behavior

Occasional soaking is normal, especially before shedding. Persistent soaking can indicate humidity or mite issues.

Brumation (optional)

Brumation is not required for pet corn snakes but may be triggered by seasonal temperature drops. Required only for breeding; keepers intending to brumate should consult species-specific protocols.

Defensive displays

rattling tailmuskingoccasional strike

Legal & ecology

Conservation

IUCN Red List

LC · Least Concern

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market

Active

Complexity

Moderate

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Corn Snake Care
Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
veterinary
Veterinary husbandry reference for Pantherophis guttatus.
Published: 2023-01-01
Corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) care sheet
Reptiles and Research
breeder community
Evidence-oriented keeper reference drawing on published herpetological literature.
Published: 2023-01-01
Corn Snake Temperatures & Humidity Requirements
ReptiFiles
breeder community
Husbandry ranges with cited sources for Pantherophis guttatus.
Published: 2023-01-01
Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus) — A Research-based Husbandry/Care Guide
Various
breeder community
Research-based compilation of corn snake husbandry parameters.
Published: 2023-01-01