The Candy cane corn snake or pantherophis guttatus, is a subspecies of the corn snake, native to the southeastern United States. Generally, corn snakes are non-venomous constrictors. They are easy to handle, docile, and beautiful animal that makes great pet even for beginners and long-time hobbyist alike.
The first known varieties of candy canes were produced by breeding an amelanistic species from the Great plains rat snakes with a Miami Phase Corn snakes. The former has no black pigmentation or albino while the latter is a normal species. After two snakes were crossed, the resulting offspring had the beautiful candy cane coloration that we see in today’s candy cane corn snakes.
Since then, candy cane corn snakes have become one of the most popular pet snakes in the world. So, if you’re thinking about getting a pet snake, be sure to check out our selection of candy cane corn snakes!
Appearance/Size
The candy cane corn snake is a beautiful and popular subspecies of corn snake. They are characterized as having an amelanism or amelanosis. This is an abnormality in the skin pigmentation which results in lesser production of melanin in the body.
This type of snake is easily recognizable by its bright white and red stripes, which resemble a candy cane. They typically have an orange color, especially on their neck and it becomes more prominent as they grow older.
Candycane corn snakes reach the size of 4 to 5.5 feet in length upon maturity. Males are usually larger compared to their female counterparts. They have slender build body with smooth scales.
Habitat
In their natural habitat, they can be found in woodlands, marshes, and swamps. They prefer areas where there are plenty of trees and shrubs to provide them with hiding places from larger predators. These snakes are most active at night and spend the majority of their time hiding in burrows or under rocks during the day. Hence, when you’re setting up their tank, make sure you place enough hide like rocks or logs.
What they eat
This type of animal is characterized as an opportunistic feeder. They feed on a variety of prey items, especially in the wild. Some of the animals they feed on are small mammals like rodents or even birds. In captivity, they are fed with frozen mice or rats that are readily available in the market. It is important to provide your snake with a proper diet so that it remains healthy and does not become overweight.
For the frequency of feeding, juveniles should be fed once a week while adult corn snakes should be fed every 7 to 10 days.
How Long they Live
On average, corn snakes live between 15 and 20 years in captivity. However, there have been reports of some corn snakes living up further from this extent! The key to a long and healthy life for your corn snake is providing proper care, a good environment and a healthy diet.
Type of Enclosure
There are a few things to consider when determining the size of the enclosure. First, you need to take into account the size of the snake itself. An adult candy cane corn snake can reach lengths of up to 5.5 feet, so you’ll need an enclosure that is at least this size. However, bigger is always better when it comes to snakes considering their active behavior.
A corn snake’s enclosure can also be placed in at least 20 gallons tank and the same must be equipped with a hiding place, a basking spot, a water bowl and quality substrate. The recommended level of temperature within the enclosure must be kept within 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This level is sufficient to sustain them during the day. The basking spot, on the other hand, must be kept within 95 degrees. The nighttime temperature can drop to 75-80 degrees.
The humidity must also be monitored for their healthy shedding. The same must be within 40 to 60%. To improve the humidity of the tank, you can provide a water bowl or furnish moss as a substrate since it’s good at retaining moisture.
Sexing/Breeding
One of the basic identification for the sex of your corn snakes is their size. Male corn snakes are generally bigger or larger than females. They also tend to have longer tails. Additionally, males tend to have thicker bodies compared to females.
Male corn snakes also have hemipenes found inside their tails while females have none. However, if you’re still not sure which sex your candy cane corn snake is, you can always take it to a reptile vet or experienced reptile keeper to determine their sex.
Finding a mate is the first step in breeding your snakes. It’s important to find a snake that is healthy and of similar size to your own. You’ll also want to ensure that the snake you choose is from a remarkable breeder to make sure the offsprings produced are viable. Once you’ve found a potential mate, it’s time to introduce them to each other.
In introducing your snakes, it’s necessary to do so gradually and carefully. Start by putting them in separate cages that are next to each other. This will allow them to get used to each other’s scent without being able to touch each other. After a few weeks, you can then move them into the same cage. It’s essential to observe their behavior since there are chances that they will fight once not compatible.
Once your snakes have mated, the female will lay a 10-15 clutch of eggs after two months or 60 days. It’s essential to provide her with a nesting box filled with moist vermiculite or sphagnum moss. The temperature in the nesting box should be between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the eggs have been laid, they should be incubated for 80-85 days. After they’ve hatched, it’s crucial to provide the baby snakes with small meals and plenty of hiding places.
Final Thoughts
Candycane corn snakes are one of the most popular pet snakes for a reason. They’re small, they’re not venomous, and they have a docile personality, which makes them easy to handle. They’re also relatively low-maintenance pets as long as you provide them with proper care and a well-conditioned environment.
One thing to keep in mind if you’re thinking about getting a Candycane corn snake is that they’re escape artists. They’re notorious for being able to squeeze through tiny cracks and openings, so it’s important to make sure their habitat is secure. But other than that, they make great pets for first-time snake owners and experienced reptile enthusiasts alike. Hence, if you’re looking for a pet snake, then Candycane corn snake is a great option for you!