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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

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.

  1. Corn Snake Care

    Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center

    veterinary

    Veterinary husbandry reference for Pantherophis guttatus.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  2. Corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) care sheet

    Reptiles and Research

    breeder community

    Evidence-oriented keeper reference drawing on published herpetological literature.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  3. Corn Snake Temperatures & Humidity Requirements

    ReptiFiles

    breeder community

    Husbandry ranges with cited sources for Pantherophis guttatus.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  4. 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