Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am relatively new to the herp scene and I was wondering if it was acceptable to have 2-3 corn snakes of differing coloring patterns/morphs to be housed together. And if so, what dimensions would be acceptable ,for the previously stated number of snakes, should a cage be? They will be hatclings of course but one is slightly older and longer than the other two. I'm just really pressed on space but my heart is too big to leave one behind at the store. They all appear very healthy and I have done a full assessment on them after being educated on what to look for. One is Albino Corn, and the younger ones are a Bloodred and a Ghost. Thanks guys, I'd appreciate any help on this matter.

Hi, and welcome. We seem to get this question quite often. Most people do not like housing snakes together. I think it is ok until they are about 8-9 months old. I seperate them before a year so that i do not get any accidental breeding. This is only OK to me, if you keep a close eye on each snake and seperate them as soon as you see an issue of any kind. Draybar has a long note explaining things, that is good and he will post for you, I am sure.

Reasons not to house them together.....I hope I remember to include them all.
1. if one gets sick, it will get the other sick
2. If one regurges, you wont know which one
3 It could be very stressful for the snakes
4 You could end up with babies
5 you could end up with babies too soon and stunt the female
6 if for some reason one gets out, they all will
7 (this may be kinda a stretch) but the more snakes you have in one tank, the bigger the tank must be. I have single corns in a 20 gal long, pairs in a 40 (I don't do more than pairs of the same sex)

I can't think of any more at the present. Kinda rushed for time, but I am sure others will throw some more at you.

I think it is best to get some kind of stacking system and house them seperately.
Good luck

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**********Misty**********
Stress is when you wake up screaming and then you realize that you haven't gone to sleep yet.

1.1.3 bearded dragons
0.1.0 water dragon
1.3.0 leopard geckos
12.20.0 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
2.3.0 king snakes
1.0.0 royal (Ball) pythons
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
0.0.2 prairie ringneck snakes
0.1.0 chilean rose hair tarantula
1.1.0 emperor scorpions
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

Cannibalism does ocassionally take place among corns, and, when it does, it nearly universally happens among very young animals. So, housing them together for the first few months of their lives can be especially dangerous to do.
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Darin Chappell
Hillbilly Herps
PO Box 254
Rogersville, MO 65742

You know, I thouhg about posting that reason too, but the original poster made it sound like they were all housed together already. Although I have never had it happen, I know that it does. Reminds me of Kathy Love's snake that ate itself.
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**********Misty**********
Stress is when you wake up screaming and then you realize that you haven't gone to sleep yet.

1.1.3 bearded dragons
0.1.0 water dragon
1.3.0 leopard geckos
12.20.0 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
2.3.0 king snakes
1.0.0 royal (Ball) pythons
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
0.0.2 prairie ringneck snakes
0.1.0 chilean rose hair tarantula
1.1.0 emperor scorpions
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

How often does that actually happen? Im sure there is no "1 in 10,000" number but........ just curious. Ive had some garters go into a feeding frenzy before and start to swallow one......is it the same for corn instances.....during feeding mainly...???

ep
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1. balls
1.1 corns
1 everglades rat
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2.1 cats

It's relatively rare. I've hatched out hundreds (but not thousands yet) of corns, and I've only had two or three of them be truly cannibalistic.

I did have one SFE (stupid feeding error) in which I had two corns housed together, and had fed them mice separately. I then put them back into their common enclosure, and the one started to attack the other. I realized that the mouse smell was still on the two snakes, and one of them wasn't quite satsified with her meal! However, while still a real problem with cohabitation, it is not an example of true cannibalism.

True cannibals are almost always young snakes that are problem feeders. Animals that will ONLY take anoles or some other food item, seem to be more prone to cannibalism than are mice eaters (save the SFE example above).

In my limited experience, this is found in somewhere around 1% of all of the hatchlings I have bred. That is a tiny fraction, but when you consider that many of the problem feeders are also often found in the more pricey morphs...it can be a very expensive lesson to learn!

The problem is that there is no way to know for certain which animal makes up that 1% as a cannibal. At least...not until it eats its cagemate!
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Darin Chappell
Hillbilly Herps
PO Box 254
Rogersville, MO 65742

I house all mine seperate. The only time I will put 2 together is if I have no other choice, then it is only for a short period of time. Just my opinion.
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I have come to the conclusion that there is no cure for snake addiction!

Mine are all housed seperately, I had 2 Leopard Geckos housed together and they bred to young and it realy did a job on my female. Now they are all apart with the exception of my Brown Anoles.
My Research and Collection

Well It'd only be for like 4 months when I get hired on to an EMS service or Fire Dept. That way once I move out I can devote a whole room to the little buggers, but at the moment I crash with my mom while I go to Paramedic school. I had to make a list of 50 reasons on why a snake would be a good pet for me. So pretty much I have the 12" by 12" by 12" cage with the front doors and an undertank substrate heater and I fell in love with all 3 snakes and don't wanna choose and can't afford the space or the maternal nagging to fit another tank in my room. Gahh!!!!

Hmmm sounds like a typical situation of not being prepared or able to take care of them before you got them. I was going to recommend not getting them until you are out and can devote more to them but it appears you already got them so I am lost. The only thing I can think of is house them separately or prepare for the consequences that you may be burying one or two, I know sounds mean but it’s the truth. They are all young right? A young Corn can live quite happily in a 10G tank, those are small and inexpensive.
My Research and Collection

BTW almost forgot to mention, in my oppinion it is a huge mistake to house them in somthign as small as a 12X12X12 enclosure. My sharptail snakes even have larger enclosures than that, Just my oppinion though
My Research and Collection

I haven't gotten them yet. Its just I got bit by snake fever and can't resist getting one or two. And belive me I put alot of research into it. I bought the Cornsnake Manual that they had at PetsMart as well as another Cornsnake book and also a Med book called "Whats wrong with my snake?" I guess I could have made a purchase mistake in the wrong style of cage, but it seemed like a very secure model to house something. I was just wondering about the number per enclosure was up for debate or not. The books I have weren't too clear other than saying one per enclosure was preferred but contrary to that point I see tons of snakes of all sorts of ages kept together in the photo gallery so I just got really confused. But I'll heed yall's word and choose one and wish the others well, and perhaps bring back the tank I bought and get a standard 20 gallon that can fit in the same spot.

You can get both 10 gallons all the accesories (accpet maybe the uth) for the price of a 20 gallon. There is no reason you can't have both snakes. I just recomend keeping them seperately.
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson" (Castaway)
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Onyx"

COHABITATION
MY OPINION

I feel it is best to keep snakes separate.
I know a lot of people keep multiple snakes together without problems and it can obviously be done without being detrimental to the snakes. I just feel the possible drawbacks need to be expressed.
When a person gets the experience and knowledge of each individual snake and wants to try co-habitation, it is up to them. They just need to be careful and able to read the subtle signs of their snakes.
There can be definite drawbacks.
If one snake becomes sick there is a very good likelihood the other/others will get sick as well.
It may also take a while (usually too long) to determine which one is the sick one.
If one regurgitates its food you won't know which one unless you happen to get lucky and see it.
If one has a problem stool you won't know which one. Once again one may have a problem but by the time you figure out which one the other/others could end up with the same problem.
Although this is only a slight possibility, it is still a possibility and has been know to happen, one snake could eat the other. The smell of a prey item could trigger one snake to eat the other. Or simple hunger accompanied by a ready food source.
Although uncommon, it has happened and is a possibility.
Another possibility is unwanted pregnancy. A female might get pregnant and you may not have the knowledge, desire or ability to incubate the eggs or raise the hatchlings. With hatchlings comes the responsibility to raise them or find them homes.
A lot of people rationalize by saying, "I will just put two males or two females together". That can work but mistakes can easily be made, especially with hatchlings. You could easily end up with a male and female.
There is also a chance of a female breeding too young or too small and becoming egg-bound. Although uncommon, it IS a possibility and can happen.
With multiple snakes in an enclosure you stand the chance of loosing all of them if there happens to be an avenue of escape. Instead of losing one you could loose two or more depending on how many you decide to place together.
One or both of the snakes could be stressed by the presence of the other. Stress can cause a drop in appetite and lead to other health problems as well.
People will put multiple snakes in an enclosure and ask why one isn't eating.
When they are told it is probably due to stress caused by the other snake, the response is almost always the same "they like each other, they are always under the same hide together". Well this probably just means "that" hide or area of the tank has the optimum conditions they are looking for.
Snakes do not LIKE each other or ENJOY each other’s company.
There is no capacity for snakes to "like" or "enjoy".
I have kept multiple snakes together without problems but have made a choice to keep them separate. There is NO clear argument on why you SHOULD keep them together but there ARE clear arguments as to why you SHOULD NOT.
So, in my opinion, although people do it successfully I just don't think it is worth the risk.
If you decide to keep multiple snakes together, watch closely for any signs of appetite loss, regurgitation or any kind of “personality” changes. These could all be signs of stress.
You would also want to feed them in separate containers and give them an hour or so before putting them back together.
My 2 cents
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____

Hey thanks. That response was very informative, but I'm not quite certain my credentials as a Healthcare provider quite slate me for the challenging task of housing snakes together quite yet. Regardless of what I choose to do I'm definately gonna have a back up tank to separate them if in the case I get two and they do cause stress upon another. And I do appreciate everyone's input on this matter but before I make any decisions I gotta think it out and explore all venues of option.

>>Hey thanks. That response was very informative, but I'm not quite certain my credentials as a Healthcare provider quite slate me for the challenging task of housing snakes together quite yet. Regardless of what I choose to do I'm definately gonna have a back up tank to separate them if in the case I get two and they do cause stress upon another. And I do appreciate everyone's input on this matter but before I make any decisions I gotta think it out and explore all venues of option.

good luck and keep us posted.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____

Hey Jimmy,
I told them you would post your little thing here!
LoL. I even debated about answering them, because I knew you would!
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**********Misty**********
Stress is when you wake up screaming and then you realize that you haven't gone to sleep yet.

1.1.3 bearded dragons
0.1.0 water dragon
1.3.0 leopard geckos
12.20.0 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
2.3.0 king snakes
1.0.0 royal (Ball) pythons
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
0.0.2 prairie ringneck snakes
0.1.0 chilean rose hair tarantula
1.1.0 emperor scorpions
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

I really appreciate all of your input. I'll keep ya posted on how I set things up and maybe a few pics if I can manage to borrow my fiance's digital camera. I'm really impressed on how much helpful response I got. I just hope in the future I can be helpful to starting herps. I'll tell ya what decision I make on what breed(s) I decide to get.

This forum is great for feedback and help. The people here know what they are talking about and are eager to help.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!
lol
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**********Misty**********
The more things change, the more they remain Insane!

2.1.2 bearded dragons
0.1.0 water dragon
1.3.0 leopard geckos
12.19.0 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
2.3.0 king snakes
1.0.0 royal (Ball) pythons
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
0.0.2 prairie ringneck snakes
0.1.0 chilean rose hair tarantula
1.1.0 emperor scorpions
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

I know all about being pressed for space. Even though I haven't much room I still think every snake deserves their own "house". When your snake room is your bedroom and is only 9'X10' you learn that EVERY surface is something to hold a snake Try keeping cages close together to save space.

Also you can double use some shelves. The shelf in the corner holds my bp AND my mbk.

The only bad part about having so many snakes with 3' of you is that when they go it smells horrible ina small room. Even after spot cleaning it lingers for a day or two. There is always a way to make room for another cage
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson" (Castaway)
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Onyx"

On a side note your enclosure security system scares me LOL Bee there done that. I use to use books wewights and anythign ells heavy I could get my hands on to hold the top of the enclosure on. Now I use locks or what you see below. Somone with a small room can make this very easy and it dosnt take up much room at all. Thsi whole thing only cost me $3 as the wood was free. In the picture is it not compleated but it is now. All I need to do is pick up 3 more enclosures for it and its done.

My Research and Collection

They have locks on their cages. But since there have been 2 escapes with them locked I thought the extra weight would help until they get their custom cages. I really like your setup!
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson" (Castaway)
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Onyx"