Corn Snake Cages
Corn snakes are one of the best snakes for beginners to keep. They are very forgiving with mistakes that inexperienced herpers tend to make. They are also very tame and rarely bite. I have a snow corn snake named Fluffy and she is definitely the easiest snake in my collection. She never has a problem with feeding, shedding, or being aggressive.
Corn snake cages should be very small when the snakes are young. They will be less stressed in a smaller cage so don’t get a huge cage for a neonate. Many people use small plastic shoe boxes for corn snake cages while they are young. Just drill holes in the side for ventilation. These are great if you have a rack system because you can set up a lot of snake cages in a small unit.
You can also use 10 gallon aquariums for corn snake cages. They will be able to live in a 10 gallon for about a year or so before having to upgrade to a larger cage.
The minimum size for adult corn snake cages is the 20 gallon long aquarium, which is about 30” long by 12” deep. Corn snakes will grow to about 4’ – 5’ and you want to give them a little room to roam. Bigger is always better. My corn snake cage is about 36” long by 18” deep and I think it’s an ideal size for an adult corn snake.
You may think about putting some kind of branches and things in your corn snake cages. Corn snake are terrestrial, but they do enjoy climbing as well. Not to mention it adds a more natural look to your corn snake cages.
The best substrates for your corn snake cages are something they can burrow in. Aspen shavings are the best for young corn snakes. They can make little tunnels in it and hide and feel secure. I use cypress mulch for my adult corn snake and that works very well too.
Heating your corn snake cages with an under tank heater is the best bet in my opinion. They need a basking spot of about 85 to 90 degrees and under tank heaters will provide this easily. The rest of the enclosure can be basically the temperature you keep your house, 70 – 80 degrees. No less than 70.
Always provide hides in your corn snake cages. One on the warm side of the cage and one on the cool side.
Corn snakes are masters at escaping. If there is a way out of your corn snake cages, they will find it. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. And that when is usually very soon. I have a sliding glass front on my corn snake cage and when Fluffy was younger, she was able to squeeze between the two doors and she escaped on me twice. I’m very lucky I found her. Once they escape, most people never find them again. So make sure your corn snake cages are very secure.
So if you have or are thinking of getting a corn snake, I hope this gives you an idea of what you should be looking for when purchasing corn snake cages.
13 Comments
Hi Arie,
I never recommend housing more than one snake in the same cage. Although it’s tempting to try it to save money and space, there are very good reasons not to. Please read my post here about housing multiple snakes in the same cage for more information. Thanks for visiting.
Good luck!
Mike
Hi i want a corn snake ridicuously bad but i also have 3 birdds… a cockatiel a love bird and a sun conure. I’m really worried about this, what if he got out would he try and eat my birds? Two of the three are high up in cages but i suppose he could climb up and get them… Do you have any helpful suggestions? Should i not get a snake because of this situation or can this be avoided?
Hi Sammy,
Corn snakes are escape artists, so it’s important to have a cage that is very secure. If you buy a cage that is made for reptiles, or an aquarium with a locking lid, you will be fine. Putting something heavy on top is not enough. It has to be a locking lid. If by chance it did get out, it most likely would not eat the birds, as they would probably fight back and raise such a ruckus that it would leave them alone. So there’s really no reason you can’t have both birds and snakes, just make sure the cage is secured. Good luck!
Mike
I have four sugar gliders (think skinny chipmonk sized flying squirrel) and just got a corn snake Did I make a blunder? I really wanted the snake and the pet store guy assured me he wouldn’t escape this housing (Zilla brand with latching screen lid).
Daniel,
So long as you keep the cage secure there won’t be a problem. Gliders are furry mammals, so a snake would certainly consider them food, but many people keep them and reptiles with no issues. I know reptile keepers who also keep rats as pets. They just keep them separated. Keeping any animal requires a bit of responsibility. As long as you are responsible enough to keep the cages secured, you can keep any combination of pet you choose. Good luck!
Mike
I just bought a baby corn snake and am keeping him in a cage that i also have two plants growing in. The substrate is about an inch of potting soil with an inch of repti bark on top. Is the soil ok to have in there? or will it make him sick? thank you so much.
FYI–This was helpful! T^T Thank gods!
I am a new snake owner, corn snake actually, and I asked the Pet Store Owner what manner of bedding the Snake should have: He Told me SAND!!!
Thank Gods I had the brains to watch her: obviously sand was not for her! >.< That idiot needed to be shot! so–I cleaned her entire cage, top to bottom and had to gently wash her belly scales of sand which she HATED. Thank gods she is a forgiving snake…:/
Anywhoo–Cage security is not a problem. Locks work well 
Thanks again!
Krafty
@ Mike O,
I know having live plants in there is desirable, but unfortunately it’s not practical since the potting soil is not very good for your snake. First, the humidity will be too high since the plants need water. While in the wild, corn snakes are around these conditions, they can always relocate to a dry location if needed. In captivity they have no where else to go. Also, the potting soil could contain bugs and mites which can cause harm to your snake. Then there is always the issue of cage cleaning which is difficult with live plants. The reptibark is fine, but I would suggest putting some fake plants in there so you don’t need potting soil. Other substrates I recommend are aspen bedding and cypress mulch.
@Krafty
Unfortunately, many pet stores don’t care if you know how to take care of your new pet. They just want to sell it to you. It’s good that you are doing the research and finding out the proper way to care for your pet. Your corn snake is lucky to have you!
Hi, I’m trying to get price ideas for corn snake supplies, so I was wondering what the approximate total is. I only want one, and I found a snake for $20. The rest of the supplies I’m not so sure about. Before I get the snake, I want to make sure I can afford it.
I might be attributing too many human emotions in this question but do you ever need to change up a snake’s environment to “keep it interesting” for them? I have the right sized tank with repti-bark substrate, a couple branches, and a hide on each side but I can’t help wondering if my corn snake is bored after being in there a few months with all the same stuff. Suggestions?
Hi George,
It’s very easy to want to give snakes more emotion and intelligence than they are capable of since we normally have pets like dogs and cats who would get very bored in the same type of environment. Snakes do not really get bored. They get hungry, thirsty, scared, tired, hot, and cold. As long as you are meeting their needs in those areas, they will be happy snakes.
Take care,
Mike
Hey i wanted to get to somewhat small cornsnakes, I already have a ball python, and was interested in getting a corn snake. I recently got a 25 gallon tank? And i was wondering if I could house two juveniles in that for awhile, but of course to upgrading to something larger.
Thanks