Reptile & Amphibian Forums

k,ive just got back from the pet shop,in amelenistic corns they only had hatchlings [i was hoping for a yearling so i wouldnt have to wait as long for it to reach a good size] he said feeding twice a week and it will be 2foot in 6months,what do you guys think?how long will it take to get to say erm 2,3 and 4[if it grows that big] foot,in as short of time as possible

It's much healthier to feed the snake less often than 2 times a week (except with hatchlings). If you feed it too much too often, you can end up with a fat snake that won't live as long as if you grew it up slower.

Are you sure you really want to get a cornsnake? If you just want a big snake that is fairly calm, you might want to try black milksnakes. I don't have one yet, but from everyone I've talked to that does, they are very mellow snakes and they get to be an average of 6 feet long.

The only drawback is that only a few people are breeding them and therefore they are more expensive (between $75-200, depending on the breeder; most are listed at $150).

As far as corns...With my feeding schedule (twice a week up til about 6 months, then every 7 days til about 1.5 yrs, then every 14 days) mine have reached 2 feet at 7-8 months, and 3 feet at 20-22 months. I don't have a snake that is 4 feet.
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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 '01 Hypo snow cornsnake (Tesla)
0.1 '02 Ghost (pastel) cornsnake (Banshee)
1.1 '02 Bloodred cornsnakes (Desi and Luci Too)
0.0.1 Northern water snake (temporary pet)
0.0.4 '03 American toads (temporary pets)
0.0.3 Goldfish (Kabuki, Isamu, and Yuki)
1.0 American Eskimo mutt (Rusty)

Amanda is right...you don't want to be too impatient getting your snake to grow. They will grow fast enough with proper care.
That said...some baby snakes are great eaters and will grow pretty quick. Others seem to lag behind.
And...if you ARE looking for a bigger snake...I would cast my vote for the larger members of the North American Ratsnake family. I have corns, black rats, a texas and a "greenish" rat.
I just love them all, but the bigger ones are really impressive, and, although there is plenty of variation in terms of temperment, all of mine are calm as can be. I have a friend who has quite a few adult texas rats, and almost all are calm and easily handled. The hatchlings can be pretty pissy, but most of them get over it with frequent, proper handling. Good luck whatever you choose...be patient and enjoy them while they are small...they won't be little for very long. Duffy

yeah,i do really want one,an amel or snow,but also im interested in a ball/royal python,i just cant decide,i would say the python is a more impressive snake,yet corns have much more impressive colouring,i cant decide

ya see,id be content with a yearling,coz i think it would be big enough for me to just watch it grow from then on
aaaaargh decisions!lol!

Do your research on their differing needs and demands, and take that into consideration. Especially if you are just getting started. I think that the corns and other N. Am. Ratsnakes make great, hardy beginner snakes. I've only been keeping snakes for about a year and a half, so I still consider myself a beginner. Duffy

I've not updated my growth-rate table for well over a year, but what I've got is probably a reasonable guide as to what may be expected. My babies are fed on a thrice-every-14-days schedule. Yearlings and two-yr-olds are fed weekly. Three years and older, are fed "as required", depending on whether or not they are "prowling". This may be as frequently as weekly, or as infrequently as once every two or three weeks.
Growth-rate table for Corn and Rat Snakes

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tricia