The corn snake is one of the most popular pet snakes in the world. Their docile nature, easy care requirements, and wide range of beautiful color morphs make them an excellent choice for beginner and experienced snake owners alike As a new corn snake owner, being aware of their growth rate and developmental stages will help you better care for your new slithering companion In this complete guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the corn snake growth chart and what to expect as your snake ages.
How to Measure Your Corn Snake’s Size
The first step in tracking your corn snake’s growth is learning proper measuring techniques There are a few simple methods you can use
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String method: Gently hold your snake and run a piece of string along the length of its body from head to tail. Mark the string where it meets the tail, then measure against a tape measure for an estimate of length.
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Direct measuring tape method: This is the same as the string method, only using a measuring tape instead. Gently extend your snake along the tape.
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Measuring against a wall: Extend the measuring tape vertically against a wall and allow your snake to crawl along it. Mark the maximum length reached.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to handle your snake gently and support its body fully when measuring. Perform measurements quickly to minimize stress.
Overview of the Corn Snake Growth Rate
Corn snakes are some of the faster growing snake species. When cared for properly, they can reach their adult size in just two to three years. Here is an overview of the corn snake growth rate:
- Hatchling (newborn): 8 – 12 inches long
- 6 months: 20 – 30 inches
- 12 months: 35 – 40 inches
- 18 – 24 months: Typically reach maximal adult length of 4 – 6 feet
As you can see, hatchlings start off quite small at less than a foot long. Within their first year, they will increase in length rapidly. By the time they are full grown adults at age two to three, corn snakes average 4 to 6 feet long. However, some may max out even longer.
Key Growth and Developmental Stages
There are three main life stages to be aware of as your corn snake ages:
1. Baby (Hatchling)
This stage spans from birth up until about 5-6 months of age. As mentioned above, hatchlings start off between 8 and 12 inches long. They are tiny and cute!
Some key traits of this developmental stage include:
- Very rapid shedding cycles every 1-2 weeks
- Eats very frequently, even daily in some cases
- Primarily eats newborn “pinky” mice or rat pups
- More timid and shy behavior
- Spends lots of time hiding
2. Juvenile
The juvenile stage lasts from about 6 months old until 12-18 months. This is when the most rapid part of your corn snake’s growth will occur.
Hallmarks of this stage include:
- Shedding every 4-6 weeks
- Actively exploring and bolder than hatchlings
- Feeding 1-2 times per week on appropriate sized prey
- Reaching 35-40 inches in length by one year old
- Sexual maturation and breeding ability
3. Adult
By 18 months to 2 years, your corn snake will be an adult. Adult corn snakes over 2 years old exhibit:
- Slower shedding cycles of every 2-3 months
- Less frequent feeding, every 7-14 days
- Maximal size reached, averages 4-6 ft long
- Mature temperament and activity level
Adulthood marks the period when your snake’s growth will plateau. Monitor your snake’s body condition and adjust feedings as needed to maintain proper weight. Their full adult size can be maintained through proper lifelong care.
Factors That Impact Corn Snake Growth
Achieving optimal growth and size depends on the quality of care that is provided throughout your pet snake’s life. Some key factors that affect corn snake growth include:
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Enclosure size: An appropriately sized habitat is vital. Too small enclosures can restrict growth.
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Temperature and humidity: Proper temperature gradients and humidity facilitate strong feeding and shedding.
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Nutrition: Frequent feedings of appropriate sized prey drive growth in hatchlings and juveniles.
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Health status: Illness or disease can impair appetite and growth. Wellness vet visits help monitor health.
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Genetics: Some natural variation in maximal size can occur based on genetic background. Most reach 4-6 feet.
By carefully managing each of these key factors, you can help support your corn snake’s growth and development to its full genetic potential. Monitor its progress against the growth chart and enjoy watching your hatchling snake grow into an impressive, full grown adult!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Corn Snake Growth Chart
How long does it take a corn snake to reach full size?
With proper feeding and care, corn snakes reach their full adult size in 18-24 months. The most rapid growth occurs in the first year.
What is the largest recorded size for a pet corn snake?
The longest pet corn snake on record measured in at an impressive 72 inches long as an adult. However, most range between 4-6 feet total length when fully grown.
How can I estimate my corn snake’s age?
You can get an approximate age estimate by measuring your snake’s length and comparing it to the growth chart averages. For very young snakes under 6 months old, you can also estimate age by shedding frequency.
Is a corn snake done growing after 2 years old?
Yes, by age 2 a corn snake is considered fully grown and its growth will plateau. Some very minor size increases may occur after but most of the growth is complete within the first two years.
Should I weigh my corn snake to assess growth?
Yes, weighing your snake periodically can provide useful supplemental information about growth in addition to length. Ensure weighing sessions are low stress.
The Reward of Watching Your Corn Snake Grow
One of the most exciting and rewarding parts of corn snake ownership is getting to observe your pet go through each life stage and reach its full adult size. By understanding what to expect from your snake’s growth timeline and implementing proper care, you will help support healthy development at every age. Refer back to this guide as needed and enjoy the process!
Lighting, Temperatures & Humidity
Lighting
Corn snakes are crepuscular, which means that they are most active around dawn and dusk. Having a light in the enclosure helps them regulate their day/night rhythm. There is a common myth that snakes don’t “need” UVB and therefore shouldn’t have access to it, for fear of stressing them out or even hurting their eyes. Again, this is false. There is mounting scientific evidence that UVB is, in fact, beneficial for snakes, and therefore should be provided. For this reason we recommend using the Zoo Med T5 HO ReptiSun 5.0 or Arcadia Forest 6%, long enough to cover about 1/2 of the enclosure.
Lights should be left on for 12 hours/day. Nighttime lighting/heat and colored bulbs are not necessary.
Temperatures
Corn snakes are cold-blooded, which means that they rely on their environment to determine their body temperature. They can’t control their own body temperature like humans can. So they need to have a range of temperatures from one side to the other which enables to the snake to regulate its temperature as needed.
- Basking surface: 90-95°F
- Cool side: 75-80°F
Many corn snake keepers recommend using heat pads, but this is an outdated practice and not recommended by ReptiFiles. White light heat lamps mimic the effect of the sun in a corn snake’s natural habitat. So we recommend using a white heat bulb like the Philips 100w PAR38 Halogen Flood Heat Bulb in a dome heat lamp for best results. Plug the lamp into a lamp dimmer so you can dial it down if it gets too hot.
This lamp should be placed on the extreme left or right of the enclosure to create the desired gradient. This gradient can be easily measured by using a temperature gun like the Etekcity 774.
Humidity
Corn snakes thrive between 65-75% average humidity. Correct humidity levels help make sure that your corn snake is always well hydrated! To achieve and maintain these humidity levels, you will need to mist the enclosure every evening, and again in the morning if needed. To encourage more stable humidity levels, pour water into the substrate at regular intervals and use live plants.
Keep track of humidity levels with a hygrometer. We recommend the Exo Terra Hygrometer, with the probe placed in the middle of the enclosure.
Corn Snake Care Sheet provided by ReptiFiles
Corn snakes are a nonvenomous, terrestrial species of constricting snake native to the southeastern United States, parts of Mexico, and the Cayman Islands. Early European settlers encountered this species in their corn fields and corn cribs, concluding that it was eating their corn. The truth is that the snakes were actually doing those farmers a favor by eating the rodents that would otherwise be feasting on the corn, but the name “corn snake” stuck.
Corn snakes are crepuscular, which means that although they are active at night, their peak hours are around dawn and dusk. In the wild, these hours are spent hunting prey like small mammals, frogs, fish, and even birds on occasion.
When newly hatched, corn snakes measure between 8-12”, but they grow to be about 3-5’ as adults. 5’ may sound like a big snake, but their slender build keeps them perfectly manageable. As an additional note, males tend to be smaller than females.
Corn snakes reach adulthood around 3-4 years old, and tend to live long lives — at least 15-20 years!
Because of their simple care requirements, docile but active personality, and exceptional hardiness, they make perfect first-time snakes.
- Meridian 4x2x2 PVC Panel Reptile Enclosure
- 100w PAR38 halogen flood bulb, white light
- 5” domed heat lamp with a ceramic socket
- plug-in lamp dimmer
- digital thermometer + hygrometer
- temp gun
- 22” 5.0 T5 HO fluorescent UVB lighting + fixture
- light timer
- substrate (bedding)
- 2+ hides/caves
- decorations: branches, plants, cork logs, rocks, etc.
- large water bowl
- 12” soft-tipped feeding tweezers
Keep reading for specifics on the supplies that you will need!
Corn snakes are a more active snake species, so their enclosure must be sufficiently large to meet this need. And because they are terrestrial, floor space is more important than vertical space. However, they still enjoy climbing, so some vertical space should be provided to accommodate this. The Zen Habitats 4’x2’x2’ Reptile Enclosure is perfect for meeting a corn snake’s space needs.
Front-opening terrariums are the most popular for housing snakes because they make terrarium access easy, hold heat and humidity well, and tend to be more attractive. Furthermore, front-opening enclosures tend to be more secure (read: escape-proof) than their top-opening counterparts.
Some people advise housing young corn snakes in smaller enclosures than adults, but as long as your corn snake is not very young (near hatchling size), and they have enough places to hide, they should be able to be housed in an adult-sized enclosures without problems.
Multiple corn snakes should not be housed in the same enclosure.
Using the right substrate in your corn snake’s terrarium helps regulate humidity and promotes good health. Using the wrong substrate can be unhygienic and can even kill your snake in severe cases.
- Zoo Med Reptisoil
- Zilla Jungle Mix
- Reptichip
- Coconut fiber
- DIY Temperate Mix: 40% organic topsoil + 40% Zoo Med Reptisoil + 20% play sand
Substrate should be layered about 3-4” thick for best results. Spot-clean regularly to remove poo and urine as necessary, replacing any substrate that you remove. Substrate should be totally replaced every 3-4 months, depending on terrarium size and how diligent you are about spot-cleaning.