Pet Corn Snake Caging
If you are new to looking after snakes there are a few things which you will need to understand in terms of how your corn snake likes to live.
- They like to hang out in hiding places
- They like different kinds of temperatures
- They are good a climbing
Corn snakes like other pet snakes need a shelter for them to stay and of course live comfortably in your home. Caging and housing for corn snakes does need to be complicated but you do need to follow the basics and get to know your snakes creature comforts very well for them to thrive.
The Cage or Vivarium: This is where they will live
The size of the cage really does depend on the size of your snake but remember that corn snakes are small and do not require large enclosures.
You might want to start with a 10 gallon glass aquarium for a baby corn snake and upsize it to a 20 (standard size) or 50 (larger sizes) galloon glass cage or enclosure when you snake gets to be an adult. If you put your baby corn snakes in plastic shoebox you must punch holes in the side for air to pass through.
Remember that corn snakes are good climbers and excellent escape artists so be sure to pick up a solid cage with a very secure top.
Try to make the cage as natural as possible by using plants and creating some hiding spots to make your pet feel secure as they are solitary in nature and like to curl up and hide.
Hides
Hiding spots can be made from boxes, plastics, cardboards or hollow bark logs (available commercially from pet stores).Place them in the corners or in both warmer and cooler ends of your corn snakes cage.
Substrate
Substrate is the materials placed on the bottom of your corn snakes cage. The most common material used is a newspaper; and most experts agree that it is the best substrate as it is easy to put in and easy to clean up. Corn snake pet owners use several different kinds of acceptable substrate for example paper towels, reptile bark (available in some pet stores to be purchased), butcher paper and Astroturf. Corn cob bedding which is used in bird cages should not be used as it can cause excessive drying of the dermal skin of a snake which then can cause serious intestinal problems if your corn snake swallows it. Make sure you seek advice from your vet or look at the forums for ideas.
Water
A water dish should also be placed in the cage for your pet to soak in. This doesn’t need to be large for your pet to entirely soak its body but should importantly provide adequate clean amount of water. Keep an eye on the water and change it if it gets soiled remembering to sterilize the dish regularly to prevent bacterial infection.
Heating
Being reptiles, corn snakes can’t control their internal body heat. A varied temperature is required and should be maintained allowing your pet to regulate its body temperature by going back and forth to either end of the Vivarium. A lot of corn snake owners use a heating mat placed in one third of the cage which allows for the changes in temperature.
Finally, do not forget to think about where in your home you put the cage and to ensure appropriate amounts of lighting for your corn snake to thrive and enjoy its created environment.