Corn snakes are among the most popular pet snake species, with their docile nature and manageable size. Their relatively simple care requirements make them an excellent choice for beginner snake owners. However, setting up the proper enclosure is crucial to keeping your corn snake healthy and happy. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about choosing, setting up, and decorating the perfect corn snake aquarium.
Can Corn Snakes Live in Aquariums?
Corn snakes can thrive in aquariums, provided their enclosure meets their needs. Aquariums are a common housing choice for corn snakes due to the following advantages:
- Visibility – The glass walls allow you to easily observe your snake while also providing it with a sense of security from prying eyes. This visibility also helps make routine maintenance simple.
- Temperature regulation – Glass tanks retain heat well while also allowing for sufficient ventilation and humidity control. Proper heating is critical for corn snakes.
- Durability – Glass aquariums are sturdy enough to safely contain snakes while withstanding daily use’s wear and tear.
- Containment – A screen lid ensures your snake stays securely inside its home, allowing for overhead heating options.
So yes, an aquarium can make an excellent corn snake habitat with proper setup. But keep reading to learn exactly what’s needed to create a suitable home.
Aquarium Kit Essentials for Corn Snakes
Setting up a new corn snake aquarium doesn’t have to be complicated. There are just a few fundamental elements every enclosure requires:
Substrate
Substrate refers to the material that lines the floor of the tank. Good options include:
- Aspen shavings – Absorbent and mold-resistant.
- Newspaper – Cheap and easy to replace.
- Reptile carpet – Snag-free and simple to clean.
Avoid substrate like cedar, which contains oils that can irritate snakes.
Hides
Every corn snake needs at least two snug hides – one on the warm and one on the cool end. This allows them to regulate their temperature fully. Hides should be enclosed and feel secure.
Water Dish
A heavy, shallow bowl ensures your snake has constant access to clean water without risk of tipping or spilling. Change the water daily.
Heating
Proper heating is essential! Corn snakes require a basking spot of about 85°F and an overall temperature of 75-80°F. This can be achieved through an under-tank heating pad or overhead ceramic heat lamp.
Thermometers
Thermometers let you monitor the temperature gradient and make adjustments as needed. Use one on each end of the tank. A hygrometer also helps track humidity.
What Do Corn Snake Tanks Need? Essential Accessories
Beyond the basics, some additional accessories can enrich your corn snake’s habitat:
- Climbing branches – Corn snakes love to climb! Provide sturdy branches for exercise and exploration.
- Humid hide – A hide box filled with damp sphagnum moss helps snakes shed properly.
- Feeding tongs – Use tongs for safe and hygienic feeding. Don’t handle food and your snake bare-handed.
These items help meet your snake’s fundamental needs for security, temperature regulation, hydration, and enrichment. Now let’s explore some substrate options in more detail.
Corn Snake Substrate Options
Choosing the right substrate is important, as it can impact your snake’s health and comfort. Here are some top options to consider:
Aspen Shavings
Aspen is a popular, safe choice. It’s absorbent, keeping the habitat drier. It also resists mold growth. Replace regularly to prevent a buildup of waste and odors.
Newspaper
Newspaper is inexpensive and disposable, making cleaning a breeze. Use non-toxic ink sheets. The crinkling sound can also provide environmental enrichment. Just be sure to change frequently, as it retains more moisture.
Reptile Carpet
Custom-fit carpets look great while preventing messy substrate tracking. They’re easy to spot clean between full changes. But solids can get trapped in the fibers, requiring more frequent replacements.
Ultimately the substrate should be chosen based on the individual snake’s needs. For example, a younger snake prone to spills may do better on newspaper or carpet. An ideal habitat contains a mix of materials.
Do Corn Snakes Like Spacious Enclosures?
Corn snakes don’t require vast space, but they appreciate some room to roam around. An enclosure that’s too cramped can cause stress. Some key factors to consider include:
- Exercise – Although they spend much of their time curled up in hides, corn snakes enjoy slithering through their habitat looking for cozy spots or elevated perches.
- Hide placement – With proper heating, the snake should be able to thermoregulate from one hide box to the other without excessive exposure. More space allows for this.
- Climbing – Compact tanks limit climbing opportunities.
- Adult size – The average adult corn snake reaches 3.5-5.5 feet long. A 40 gallon breeder tank is generally a good minimum size for an adult.
Bigger is often better when it comes to corn snake enclosures. Just include lots of hiding spots and clutter so the snake feels secure. Now let’s look at how fast they grow.
Understanding Corn Snake Growth to Plan Future Upgrades
Corn snakes hatch at 8-18 inches long. From there, their growth rate depends on genetics, feeding frequency, and overall health. Here are some general growth milestones:
- 3 months – 12-18 inches
- 6 months – 18-24 inches
- 1 year – 24-36 inches
- 2 years – 36-48 inches
- 3 years – Typically reach maximum length around 3.5-5.5 feet
Knowing this growth timeline helps you plan. A hatchling corn snake does fine in a small 10-20 gallon enclosure. But be prepared to size up around the one-year mark. Shoot for that 40 gallon adult size by age two to allow room to grow.
What about tank orientation though? Let’s explore if corn snakes prefer height or width.
Do Corn Snakes Prefer Horizontal or Vertical Space?
Corn snakes enjoy both horizontal floor space and opportunities to climb vertically. Here are factors to consider regarding enclosure orientation:
- Floor space – They appreciate room for movement across the substrate and multiple hide access points.
- Climbing enrichment – Providing elevated branches and perches encourages natural climbing behavior for exercise and enrichment.
- Sense of security – Too much open vertical space can leave some snakes feeling exposed. Ensure plenty of horizontal hiding spots are still available.
- Thermoregulation – Vertical space can create temperature gradients that are more challenging to regulate. Stick with a horizontal heat gradient.
So aim for a taller rather than wider tank, but focus climbing opportunities to one end of the enclosure with lots of floor space below for security. This allows you to take advantage of both dimensions in the habitat design.
Creative Corn Snake Terrarium Ideas and Decor
Now comes the fun part – decking out your corn snake’s home with fun decor and enriching accessories! Here are some terrarium ideas to inspire:
- Add different levels and ramps using wooden or stone platforms to create a multi-level habitat. Just be sure anything high up has guard rails.
- Lean faux rock wall panels against the sides to make one area into a rocky cave hideaway.
- Affix sturdy branches across the top for overhead climbing and exploration.
- Use suction cup hooks to hang live or artificial vines and leaves for naturalistic appeal.
- Incorporate elements like skulls, treasure chests, or ruins for fun themes like pirate cove or ancient temple.
Custom-building your decorations can be rewarding too. Use safe materials like:
- Sealed wood to create platforms, branches, and basking docks.
- PVC pipes of various sizes to build enclosed tunnel hideaways.
- Rocks and slate for ledges and caves (check for sharp edges first).
Get creative, but always keep your snake’s needs in mind first and foremost when designing its habitat. Ensure everything is secure and safe.
Suitable Tank Sizes for Corn Snakes at Different Life Stages
We’ve touched on enclosure sizes for younger and adult corn snakes. Here’s a quick overview of suitable tank dimensions as your snake grows:
- Hatchling – 10-20 gallon
- 6-12 months – 20-30 gallon
- Yearling – 30-40 gallon
- Adult – Minimum 40 gallon breeder
Again, bigger is generally better
Is a 40-Gallon Tank a Good Size for an Adult Corn Snake?
A standard 40-gallon breeder tank is an excellent choice for most adult corn snakes, offering ample space for:
- Multiple hides for thermoregulation
- Climbing and exploring opportunities
- A sizeable water bowl
- Plenty of horizontal floor space
- Room for extra accessories and decor
The 40 breeder’s large floor footprint is preferable to tall tanks. It provides both horizontal space to roam and climbable height for enrichment.
Include many hiding spots, branches, and plants so your snake doesn’t feel too exposed. A 40-gallon tank with proper heating, humidity, and clutter is usually ideal for an adult corn snake.
Comparing the Best Enclosure Options for Corn Snakes
When selecting an aquarium, you have choices beyond basic glass tanks. Here’s an overview of some top corn snake enclosure brands on the market:
Exo Terra Terrariums
- Sizes from 40-120 gallons
- Front opening doors provide easy access
- Some include foam backgrounds
Thrive Snake Habitats
- Custom kits designed for corn snakes
- 40 gallon size with full setup
- Hides, water bowl, and reptile carpet included
Zilla Aquatic Starter Kits
- Budget-friendly tanks in 20-40 gallon sizes
- Include basic starter accessories
- Lids slide open instead of front access
Pricing ranges widely based on size and included accessories, from around $200 on the low end to $350+ for premium setups. Thoroughly research any tank to ensure optimal ventilation and security.
Maintaining Proper Humidity in a Corn Snake Enclosure
Humidity directly impacts corn snake health, especially during shedding. Ideal levels are generally 50-60%. Monitor with a hygrometer and maintain humidity using:
- A reptile misting system on an automatic timer to regularly add moisture.
- A cool mist humidifier to raise ambient humidity, especially in dry climates.
- A humid hide box filled with damp sphagnum moss.
- Partially covering the tank screening with plastic wrap to retain some moisture.
Proper humidity removes issues like stuck shed, respiratory infections, and dehydration. Don’t overlook this aspect of your snake’s environment.
Final Corn Snake Aquarium Setup Checklist
Ready to set up your snake’s new home? Use this checklist to ensure you have everything needed:
- Appropriately sized aquarium or terrarium
- Substrate – aspens chips, reptile carpet, etc.
- Two snug, enclosed hides
- Water bowl big enough to soak in
- Climbing branches, vines, and plants
- Under tank heater or overhead heat lamp
- Thermometers and hygrometer
- Additional accessories like humid hide box
Take your time arranging everything to maximize security and enrichment based on your snake’s personality. And then enjoy watching your new pet thrive in its perfect habitat!
Questions to Ponder
- How can you personalize your corn snake’s habitat to suit its unique personality? Observe behaviors like whether it prefers tight hides or more open climbing. Tailor the environment to its preferences.
- What creative DIY projects could you undertake to enhance the enclosure? Building custom decor, backgrounds, and climbing structures can provide engaging enrichment.
- How often should you update or change elements in the tank to keep it fresh and stimulating? Aim for partial monthly tweaks like rearranging plants or wiping down décor. Full substrate changes every 2-3 months.
Conclusion
Creating the ideal home for a corn snake goes far beyond simply plopping one into any old aquarium. It requires carefully considering your snake’s needs, providing proper heating and humidity, and taking advantage of creative decor. The effort is well worth it to see your pet truly thrive in a habitat tailored specifically for it. Use this guide’s recommendations to optimize every element in your corn snake’s enclosure. A mix of essentials and enriching accessories will lead to a healthy, happy snake that enjoys exploring its custom terrarium.
