How to Create a Corn Snake Habitat

Corn snakes are members of the Elaphe guttata species. It is believed that they got their name because they were often found in corn fields. Corn snakes do not eat corn, but they eat the rodents that are attracted to the corn. When setting up their habitat you want to create an environment that is as close to their natural environment as possible.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Set up the habitat before bringing the snake home so it is ready for his arrival. Use an aquarium that is at least 20 gallons to ensure enough ground space for movement. The tank must have a secure, preferably lockable, top to prevent the snake from lifting the top and escaping.

2. Place a heat pad under half of the tank only. This will allow one side of the tank to be cooler than the other, and enable the snake to regulate her body temperature.

3. Add 2 inches of an appropriate substrate. Use either treated reptile bark, aspen shavings, astroturf or shredded paper towels. Do not use cedar or pine chips or shaving as these have oils that can be harmful to the snake.

4. Provide places for the corn snake to hide such as hollow logs, empty paper towel rolls or commercially purchased reptile hideys.

5. Remember that snakes also like to climb. Branches placed in the middle of the tank provide wonderful climbing opportunities for snakes. If you are using a branch that you brought in from outside be sure to debug it first by soaking it in a 50/50 mixture of chlorine and water. After soaking, rinse it off and soak it again in clear water, then leave it in the sun to dry.

6. Fill a container, large enough for the snake to soak in, with bottled water. Sink the container in the substrate to minimize the chance of it spilling.