Do Not Get a Corn Snake Until You Have Done Your Homework.

6 things you need to know.



1. Time
Your Corn Snake will take up some time, not as much as a cat or dog, but don’t fall for the trap that they take no time at all. They will need weekly feeding, buying of food, cleaning up after them (ewww...but it has to be done), and of course take the time to take them out. Keep in mind your snake will live for up to 20 years.

2. Money
You will need a habitat for your snake. While they will be happy in a plastic shoebox style container (with air vents of course), they will grow out of it, and you may not be happy with it for long either, as its not very aesthetically pleasing. If you start off with a baby corn snake, they of course will grow, and need bigger space.

3. MICE EEEEK!
Yes, Cornsnakes eat mice, they do not eat bugs or fish. If you are squeamish about mice, this is definitely something to consider. Either rely on somebody else to do the feeding, or face your fears. This person might not be around for the lifespan of the snake.

4. WHERE TO FIND ONE
I definitely recommend finding a local breeder or specialized reptile/fish pet store to get your corn snake from. In general, you should avoid big chain pet stores. There are also annual reptile shows in many cities where you can find quite a few experienced breeders to help you start out.

5. WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Your prospective snake should be alert, clean, free of ticks or other bugs, and round, without sagging skin or prominent spine.

6. FEEDING
As a hatchling your snake will eat a baby mouse every 2 to 5 days or so. As the snake grows, they will need larger mice and more of them. As adults a couple mice once a week will suffice quite well. Make sure you have a reliable source of mice to feed, either frozen or live.



In general, Cornsnakes are very gentle pets, and easy to care for, but please be sure to do the proper research before you jump in.



Please refer to the quick guide for basic information on corn snakes and how to care for them, or contact me anytime if you need help with the process of getting a corn snake, or taking care of one you already have.



Allison Star