Anerythristic/Black Corn Snake

• For ages 12 & up
• Lives up to 23 years
• Carnivores
• Communal
• Diurnal

Corn snakes can be housed communally, although be sure to always feed them separately. They are a carnivore which means they are strictly meat eaters. Rodents comprise most of their diet. They are active primarily during the night or twilight hours and usually sleep during the day. They are ground dwellers and typically like to burrow, so be sure to use a safe substrate, like Aspen bedding, that allows him to form a burrow.

Visit our Snake guide to learn more about the traits and behaviors that make snakes great pets, plus find care information and the products you'll need to keep them healthy and happy.

PetSmart offers several snake species. Here's some information to help you make an educated decision about which snake will best fit your family.

Things to remember

Handling
Give your snake 3-4 days to adjust to his new home, then try holding him for brief periods of time. Hold your snake gently but firmly trying not to constrict his movement, but rather allow him to move between your two hands (using the hand over hand handling method). Most corn snakes will calm down and move more slowly when allowed some initial free movement. Corn snakes rarely bite, but don't handle your snake during feeding time or when he is shedding.

Frozen mice
Corn snakes will obtain all of the nutrition they need from the laboratory-grown frozen/thawed mice available in the PetSmart fish department freezer. Choosing the right size of frozen rodent is easy; choose the one with a body circumference closest to the size of the thickest part of your snake's body.

Feeding amounts & frequency
Feed young snakes 2-3 times a week. Offer adults food once a week.

Water
Provide a water dish large enough for the snake to submerge itself in. Change water daily.

Housing
Use a 20-gallon or larger glass terrarium with a lockable screen lid. Corn snakes are exceptional escape artists--even the smallest openings can be exploited, so look for an enclosure designed with this in mind.

Hiding place
Provide a natural or artificial rock, wood or plastic hiding area.

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