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What Is The Lifespan Of A Corn Snake?

By Kerry
Updated on

Corn snakes are one of the most common reptiles kept as pets. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, from tiny baby ones to large adults.

Corn snakes are native to North America. They eat insects and other small animals, such as frogs, lizards, and mice. They also feed on crickets, grasshoppers, and earthworms.

Corn snakes can live for 15 years or longer. Keep on reading to find out more!

Corn snake

What Is A Corn Snake?

A corn snake is a member of the family Colubridae. It’s a non-venomous snake that is found throughout North America.

The body of a corn snake is cylindrical with a long tail. Its head is triangular shaped.

The color of a corn snake varies depending on its age. Young corn snakes have dark brown stripes on their bodies. As they grow older, those stripes fade away. Adult corn snakes may be black, gray, red, yellow, blue, white, or orange.

How To Care For Your Corn Snake

Caring for your pet corn snake will help it stay healthy and happy. Here are some tips:

  • Feeding your pet corn snake is important. Feed them at least once every two weeks. You should use commercial reptile food. Ensure you give them enough food so they don’t get hungry.
  • Keep your pet corn snake out of direct sunlight. This will prevent sunburn.
  • Provide your pet corn snake with a safe environment. Keep it in an area where there isn’t much noise. If possible, keep it in a room without windows.
  • Clean your pet corn snake regularly. Use a soft brush to clean under its scales. Scrubbing helps remove dead skin cells.
  • Your pet corn snake needs fresh water daily. Provide it with a bowl filled with water. Check the water daily to make sure it doesn’t become too hot or cold. Change the water when necessary.
  • Your pet corn snake should receive regular veterinary care. Have it examined by your veterinarian if it shows any signs of illness.
  • If your pet corn snake has been bitten by another animal, call your vet immediately. Bites from other animals can lead to infection and death.

Corn Snake Breeding Tips

If you want to breed your pet corn snake, you need to know how to do it properly. Here are some breeding tips:

  • Breed only when you have the time to devote to it. Don’t try to breed a corn snake while you’re busy with work or school.
  • Breed during the spring and summer months. This gives you more time to take care of your new babies.
  • Choose a male and female corn snake that are compatible. Avoid choosing snakes that fight each other.
  • Choose a nesting box that is appropriate for your pet corn snake. Some boxes are designed specifically for breeding purposes. Others are just for keeping eggs warm.
  • Place the nest box inside your home. If you choose to place it outside, make sure it’s protected from rain and snow.
  • When you feed your baby corn snakes, make sure you do it slowly. Never force-feed them. They might choke on the food.

Corn Snake Facts

Here are some interesting facts about corn snakes:

  • They are active year-round. However, they tend to spend most of their time sleeping in winter.
  • Corn snakes eat crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, snails, slugs, worms, and even small rodents.
  • They live up to 10 years.
  • You can tell the sex of a corn snake by looking at its tail. Male corn snakes have longer tails than females.
  • The average length of a corn snake is 5 inches (12 cm).
  • The largest recorded corn snake was 12 feet long (3.6 m)!

How To Care For A Corn Snake

Caring for your pet corn serpent is very easy. All you need to do is follow these simple instructions:

  • Feed your pet corn snake twice a week. Give it a healthy diet consisting of insects, worms, and other reptiles such as frogs and lizards.
  • Make sure your pet corn snake gets enough exercise. It shouldn’t be kept in a cage all day. Instead, let it roam around the yard or garden.
  • Keep your pet corn snake away from dogs and cats. These pets may attack it if they see it eating insects.
  • Don’t allow your pet corn snake to get wet. Water will cause it stress and could kill it.
  • Clean out the tank regularly. Remove dead fish and plants. Replace them with new ones.
  • Change the water once every two weeks. Make sure it isn’t too hot or cold.
  • Change the substrate once every month. You don’t want your pet corn snake to become sick because of dirty soil.
  • Vaccinate your pet corn snake against common diseases. Ask your vet which vaccines are best for your snake.
  • Put your pet corn snake back in its enclosure after feeding it. Never leave it alone for too long.
  • Check your pet corn snake daily. Look for signs of illness such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and lack of movement.

If any of these symptoms appear, contact your vet immediately.

What Is The Lifespan Of A Corn Snake? 

Corn snake on branch

Corn snakes have been known to live for anywhere between 5 and 8 years in the wild, but 10 to 15 when they are looked after as pets. 

Why Are They Called Corn Snakes?

There are many types of snakes in the world. Most people think of snakes when they hear the word “snake.” But there are actually over 100,000 species of snakes! There are also numerous subspecies within those species.

Most snakes belong to one of three groups: amphibians, reptiles, or mammals. The group they belong to depends on how much body fat they have. Amphibians have no body fat. Reptiles have varying amounts of fat. And mammals have lots of fat.

Corn snakes are known as corn snakes because of the settlers in America who discovered this type of snake. They discovered the snake in the corn fields, where the snakes were feeding on corn and hunting the mice in the fields.

What Does Your Pet Corn Snake Eat?

Most corn snakes feed on crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and other bugs. They can even eat small rodents. If your pet corn snake eats something poisonous, you should take it to your veterinarian right away.

How Can I Keep My Pet Corn Snake Healthy?

  • Feed your pet corn snake twice weekly. Give it a healthy balanced diet consisting of insects, earthworms, and other reptiles such as frogs and lizards.
  • Give your pet corn snake clean, fresh water at least once per week. Change the water if it gets cloudy or smells bad.
  • Keep your pet corn snake well-ventilated. It doesn’t need to be kept in direct sunlight. However, make sure it has enough room to sunbathe.
  • Clean out your pet corn snake’s enclosure regularly. Remove all debris from the bottom, so it won’t get stuck.
  • Keep your pet corn snake safe from predators. Make sure it is not near cats, dogs, or other pets.
  • Use a reptile cage that allows your pet corn snake to climb up and down easily.
  • Don’t let your pet corn snake go outdoors without first checking for ticks. Ticks carry bacteria that can cause serious infections.

Where Do Corn Snakes Come From?

Corn snakes come from Mexico. They were brought to the United States by European settlers during the 1800s.

When Should I Expect My Corn Snake to Die?

The average lifespan of a corn snake is approximately 10 years. This means that you will need to take care of your pet for at least this amount of time. If you do not, it could be very dangerous for your snake.

As with all reptiles, corn snakes require a lot of attention. You must provide them with proper food, shelter, and medical care.

You may become sick or injured if you neglect your pet corn snake. It might also starve to death.

Your pet corn snake needs regular checkups by your veterinarian. Your vet can tell you how much exercise your pet requires. Your doctor can help you determine what diet is best for your snake.

Your vet can also give your snake vaccinations against diseases that affect reptiles. These include:

  • Fungal Diseases
  • Parasites
  • Rabies
  • Tick Borne Illnesses

Final Thoughts

A corn snake is an interesting creature. It is one of the few reptiles that can survive outside the wild.

It is important to remember that these animals are still living creatures. They need to be treated as such.

Take good care of your pet corn snake. It deserves to live a happy and healthy life.

Thank you for reading!

 

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About the author

Kerry

Kerry White is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Kerry has been writing for PetDT for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners.Kerry has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Kerry knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.