Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been looking into getting a corn for the last few weeks. I've done lots of research, but I'm wondering a few things...

Do corns actually come out of their hiding places now and again? I currently have a ribbon snake that freaks out as soon as I come in the room and hides. I'm really looking for a snake that I might see once in a while. I do realize they are nocturnal, but I was just curious if they hide all the time or are a bit more sociable.

Also, I would be getting a hatchling (about 5 inches long)if my plan works out. I have a reptile aquarium that's about 1 ft by 6 inches and is about 8 inches tall. Would that work for a hatchling corn snake for a short amount of time? I have a 29 gallon aquarium I plan to move it to as soon as I can get a lid for it and a 55 gallon aquarium for when it's older. Those sizes sound ok?

They do need a basking light, don't they? I've heard mixed opinions on that, but I would think it would make sense with them needing to thermoregulate and all. My snake room is usually 80 degrees, but it's been getting to around 78 at night, lately.

Burmation-wise, should I be worried if my new hatchling goes into burmation on his own? My room generally doesn't get cold enough for that, but my ribbon snake starts to refuse food around October. Is there anything I need to know about a young corn going through burmation for the first time?

Is there anything else I might need to know about getting a corn?

Thanks for the help

Corn snakes are solitary by nature, so I would not consider them to be "sociable," although they are generally of a much calmer demeaner than ribbon snakes. They spend most of their time hiding, but do not seem to mind being taken out of their cage and handled.

Five inches sounds awfully small for a baby corn. They usually are about double that length upon hatching. Snakes crave security and baby snakes do best in small enclosures, like something the size of a shoebox. A good rule-of-thumb for snake caging is the enclosure should be about 2/3's the snake's length X 1/2 the snake's length. A baby snake could comfortably live in the small container you have for 6-9 months, depending on its growth rate.

Corn snakes do not need a basking light. They do need a heated area, which is commonly supplied by an under-the-tank heating element (heat pad or heat tape). Albino corns are sensitive to light. In addition, a snake can burn itself on a light if it comes in contact with it.

It is unlikely that a snake will go into brumation if kept warm. It is natural for some reptiles to feed less in the winter.

I recommend getting a good book on corn snakes - there are several inexpensive ones out there.

Tim

Third Eye

My snake room is around 80 & all my snakes (including my baby corns) are fine with no extra heating. Upper 70's at night is not a problem.

Your tank sizes sound fine, as long as your snake has places to hide.

I have found corns to vary in terms of activity and "coming out & about" with babies hiding quite a bit, although one of my hatchlings seems to be out cruisin' much of the time (while another seems to hide most of the time).

I agree...Get a good book if you can. Kathy Love's, of course, can't be beat. Duffy

Thanks for the help, you guys I've decided to wait on getting one till I've got a bit more room and money.