Cornsnake
Elapha guttatta guttata
   
     
   
general
description One of the most popular pet snakes. Its adaptability as captives, docility, ease of breeding, and varied color phases and pattern types make it a choice for beginners and experienced snake keepers alike.
distribution southeastern U.S.A.
(from Louisiana through the Carolinas, Virginia, and as far north as Maryland and southern New Jersey)
adult size approx. 4' ; individuals may get to 6'
mutations Albino, snow, anerythristic, blood, red, hypomelanistic, blizzard, ghost, motley, striped, rosy, zig zag, creamsicle, locality specific morphs and many more
venomousness Nonvenomous
housing
natural habitats Terrestrial;
cage It should be large instead of tall because it does not climb much. (e.g. Wooden Terrarium, Glass Terrarium)

Make sure it is escape-proof, easy to disinfect, free of sharp edges, dry, well ventilated, and hold heat to ensure proper temperatures.
substrate wood shavings, barks (e.g. Repti Bark, Coconut Bark), gravel, fine sand (e.g. Repti sand, Calci-Sand), compressed paper granules (e.g. Good Mews)
activity period Nighttime (nocturnal);
give heat and help monitoring by infrared lamps (e.g. Nightlight Red Bulb, Infrared Heat Lamp) where the light is invisible for it but humans
temperature 25 - 28 ¢XC -- day   (e.g. Daylight Blue Bulb, Basking Spot Lamp)
22 - 25 ¢XC -- night   (e.g. Nightlight Red Bulb, Infrared Heat Lamp, Ceramic Heat Emitter)
humidity mid to low
water dish a large water dish (e.g. Rock water dish) should be available for it to drink or soak in. It would usually excrete in water. It is specially important for one that is going to shed its skin.
hiding place Essential, a place for its privacy, security and sleep by day.

Possibllites include caves (e.g. Habbe Hut, Heat Cave), etc
diet
wild diet Carnivorous (meat-eating);
Rodents (e.g. mice, rats)
how often to feed? once every 5 - 7 days for hatchlings to juveniles;
once every 7 - 10 days for adults
notes 1. Feed it in the dark.
2. Do not ever move your hands near when it is feeding.
3. Do not handle it till a day after the feed.
reproduction
reproduction Oviparous
mating age from 1 - 3 years
eggs lays 1 - 2 clutches per year of 6 - 30 eggs
incubation approx. 60 days
   
         
 
     

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