#corn snake enclosures

[omg-snakes]

I just got a corn snake. She has a 36x18x18 exo terra and plants all over. However, whenever she climbs she keeps trying to go up. Should I get her a taller terrarium? Or is this normal?

Hi there!

It's very normal to explore and test the boundaries of a new enclosure. Corn snakes in the wild are pretty skilled climbers and are known to raid bird nests, so her instinct is telling her that, "go up = maybe food??"

Snakes are also pretty bad at understanding clear or screen barriers, so her "go up!" instinct is currently overriding any sliver of understanding that the top of the cage is a "stop, no more up" situation.

She'll figure it out eventually. If you're feeling crafty and generous with your time, you could poke some tiny holes in each end of a paper towel cardboard tube and attach it to the screen with some pipe cleaners to create a free top-mounted hidey lookout spot. This will reward her curiosity and hopefully give her some closure so she stops cruising.

I hope she's otherwise enjoying her new digs and that you're having a wonderful time watching her explore!

[omg-snakes]

I am considering getting a corn snake and I am wondering what a good size terrarium would be for an adult. I would prefer to not get a custom built one, but I will buy one if that gives my adult corn snake their best life.

Hey there!

Thank you for your patience here. With work being so busy and so many little mouths to feed, it’s been challenging finding time to sit down and answer questions!

Adult corn snakes will use pretty much all of the space you give them and there’s no upper limit to an appropriate enclosure size, provided the enclosure has adequate furnishings to allow for natural behaviors including climbing, digging, basking, hiding, and stretching.

I’d say the minimum for a fully-grown adult would be 40 gallons or approximate equivalent enclosure size. Good examples of appropriate enclosures are the Exo-Terra Large Wide which is 36”w x 18”d x 18”h or an Animal Plastics T5 or larger (their T10 is a great value for the price). 

When considering the best enclosure for your snake, factor in the amount of space you have to give them, the likelihood of needing to move said enclosure at any point in the future, and how the enclosure will integrate into the rest of your home. I’m not saying that design needs to be a deciding factor but you’ll be happier in the long term with an enclosure that works with your preferred decor than one that is clashing. 

[omg-snakes]

Hi, I have a large 50/60 gallon enclosure from owning a different kind of reptiel. The enclosure has been fully cleaned and disinfected, but I'm going to get a baby corn snake. Can I place this baby in the big enclosure or is it better to put him/her in a smaller enclosure first for monitoring purposes? Thankss

Henlo friend! 

I always say bigger is better when it comes to colubrids. Corn snakes will not stress in large enclosures and they will make use of all available space. I do recommend providing abundant cover and numerous hides so that your snake can feel safe and secure wherever they are, and make sure that you’re using the right heat source with a thermostat to ensure a complete heat gradient. 

If you’re getting a very little baby, it might be a good idea to feed them in a separate smaller container so that you can ensure they’re eating reliably, but if they’re a bit bigger or if they’re already used to tong-feeding then you’re good to go!

I hope you’re having a lovely spring and I wish you and your little corny pal many very happy years together!

[omg-snakes]

Hi, I'm hoping to get a corn snake soon and I'd love to get a hatchling but I'm worried about it escaping or getting hurt because they're so small. Do you have any tips for baby snake proofing a tub and/or tank? How worried should I be about things in the enclosure shifting and the snake getting stuck or hurt?

Hi there!

If you’re worried about things in your enclosure shifting or hurting a little baby, I’d reassure you that corns are pretty tough critters and they’re light enough that they’re not going to be able to topple much in their cage, especially when they’re bitty. The important things to avoid are any toxic materials or plants and don’t give your snake decor with any sharp edges or holes that they could get stuck in. Any hole that is as big around as their head is potentially a risk. If they can shove a snoot in there, assume they will.

Your choice of tank or tub is going to make a big difference in terms of escape-proofing. Make sure that any tub has a locking lid. If you’re going with a tank, it’s okay to go ahead and get the grown-up enclosure right away and get one with either a locking screen lid or front-facing swing or sliding doors which can be locked and are a little easier to secure.

Remember that corn snakes are smart, but they’re also lazy. If you’re providing enough hidey spots to make them feel safe and comfortable, enough space for them to stretch out, and enough enrichment to keep their little brain occupied then they’re less likely to go looking for their own opportunities.

Ultimately, try not to be too worried. A hatchling snake is precious, yes, but they’re also tough and adaptable. If you’re doing your best to be gentle and paying attention to their body language, I promise that you’ll do just fine. :)

[omg-snakes]

I have a corn snake. He (I say he but I don't actually know) was pretty small when I got him, and he's shed 3 times since I got him. I have a larger tank for him to live in, it still needs a lid and a heating pad, but it should be a good place to put him once it's been cleaned better and has stuff in it. I want to maybe keep live plants in there (like flowers), to maybe help with humidity and give him a hiding place. Is that a good idea, and if it is, what would be a good type of plant to have?

Hiyas!

I love planted vivariums!! There are tons of excellent and very safe plants that you can keep in a cage for your snake. I would recommend something hearty that can take a beating, because snakes love plants, too, and especially love digging them up and climbing all over them. :D

Some points to consider are the depth of your tank, the space your plant will need for their roots, and how much water and light the plant will need to be healthy and stay happy. Some easy choices include dwarf mondo grass, pothos, spider plant, snake plant (heh!), ponytail palms, and African violets. Ferns, bromeliads, and orchids are safe, too, though they tend to be a bit more delicate and might not be able to tolerate a whole lot of being smushed by your darling snake.

Avoid most succulents because they will require more light than your snake will probably appreciate.

Make sure that you get plants that have not been treated with any pesticides. A good bet is to buy them specifically from a reptile vivarium supplier like Josh’s Frogs. 

My favorite trick is to hide a small planter behind some decor so that it looks like the plant is rooted directly in the vivarium, and that way when my snake beats the plant up too much I can take out the planter and give my poor abused plant a break for a while, or swap it out for a new victim lovely green friend.

Another handy tip is to put live plants up front and fake plants in the back of your enclosure. :)

I hope this helps and I’d love to see photos when you get your new cage all set up!

[omg-snakes]

Waiting for eggs with faces to decide to come out and be noodle friends has been very challenging for me, so to keep my mind occupied this weekend I’m doing some cleaning and rearranging of enclosures. This is Kitty Junior’s cage.  It feels a little sparse to me but she has three hides in warm and cool spots; climbing branches, deep substrate for digging and a hide stuffed with moss for additional digging, multiple textures, and she can traverse the entire enclosure front to back and side to side without being seen. I think the bare walls are what is making it feel boring and I’d like to do something to make them more interactive/useful rather than being lazy space. The fake fern in the back is concealing a humid hide where Ms. Junior is currently napping.