Reptile & Amphibian Forums

how long does it take for a corn snake to outgrow a 10 gal tank?
at what size would that be?

By the time your snake is about twice the length of the tank you should think about upgrading. This won't take too darn long if your snake is a good eater. So now is really the time to consider what you want to upgrade to. Duffy

when my little hatchling is too big for her tank could i put her with my other corn, or buy another tank?
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jake

my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)

Your best bet by far is to give each snake its own tank. This is an issue/debate that is often discussed on these forums, with many people insisting that THEIR snakes cohabitate and all is well. Can you do it? Yes. Is it the best for your snakes? No, probably not. That said, I do keep 2 female corns of similar size in a 55 gallon. The rest of my snakes have their own private cage. Duffy

>>when my little hatchling is too big for her tank could i put her with my other corn, or buy another tank?
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>>jake
>>

It's been a while so I thought I would post this again.

Everyone makes their own decisions but I just thought I would offer my opinion on the subject.....for what it's worth

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 their individual snakes and wants to try cohabitation, that 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 eggbound. 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" change. 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

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Nice summary...I'm always glad that you filed that one after you took the time to compose it. Duffy

>>Nice summary...I'm always glad that you filed that one after you took the time to compose it. Duffy

If they are kept separate, it makes foreplay that much more exciting for them......LOL
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____

>>Nice summary...I'm always glad that you filed that one after you took the time to compose it. Duffy
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Taste like chicken

im going to wait until blizz is an adult before making the decision, and also only if both are healthy.

i think my amel is a male so if i do put them together i wil lower and raise the temps as if it were winter and see if they breed.
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jake

my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)

I got my snake when he was about 15 inches long last December. I put him in a 29 gallon. He was about 30 inches long when I moved him to his new viv in July. I think the bigger the viv the better. His new home is 42" long by 27" high by 24" deep. I also have den box for him. The tunnel is only open to show the little blocks that give him traction to get up the tunnel. He has mellowed out since he went into the larger viv. I think that in general snakes are kept in enclosures that are far too small (why do you think they are always trying to get out?) A 10 gallon is only good til your snake is about as long as the tank, maybe. I would put a 15 inch in a 29 gallon and adults should be housed in similarly sized viv as my snake is in. I can leave the doors open on his viv and he sort of slides by and tastes the air, but doesn't seem interested in escaping.