Choosing your Corn Snake

When choosing a snake, a captive bred specimen is the best choice and shouldn't be too difficult to find since corn snakes breed fairly readily in captivity.

Look for a snake that is well fleshed with clear eyes, no cuts or scrapes, no signs of mites or ticks under the scales, a clean vent, and one that is alert and flicking its tongue. When held, it should be fairly strong, putting up some resistance. The spine should be straight with no kinks or lumps. Feel along its body to ensure this.

Listen carefully to the snake's breathing for little whistles or similar. Also take a look for bubbles or liquid coming from the mouth and/or nostrils. The snake's mouth should be closed tightly and should be clean and smooth. Don't buy a snake with any of these signs as respiratory infections are very nasty things.

Corn snake Stools should be a soft brown mass accompanied by a little bit of yellowish fluid and maybe some clear fluid also. Abnormally coloured feces such as green and blue and very fluid stools are signs of problems.

Ensure that when buying your snake that it has fed at least 3 times in the last month. You do not want a non-feeder as this can cause great problems for you and the snake. Also check its shedding record to ensure that it sheds regularly and with ease.

As for the type of morph you choose, this is totally up to you! Pick a morph which you find most attractive and interesting. Your corn snake will be with you for the next 20 years if lucky and so you need to pick one which best suits your character.

Enjoy your snake!