How Long Do Corn Snakes Live? Ssssurprising Facts For Kids

Snakes are present in almost all colors and patterns that you can think of.

While some snakes are deadly due to their poison, there are some non-poisonous snakes that also exist in nature. For example, banded kraits are extremely venomous, while corn snakes are a non-venomous species.

Corn snakes look a lot like a poisonous species and are killed many times due to this confusion. The region and country play an important part in the color and pattern of a corn snake. Corn snake adults are usually very patterned with orange, red or black body patterns. They may have peculiar designs or simple black lines ranging from their mouth to the end of their tail. This reptile species tend to have smooth, shiny skin and are more healthy than wild reptiles. Guttatus and other related reptiles are cold-blooded and require a higher temperature and humidity to stay healthy. The guttatus are excellent pets because of their peaceful nature and their ability to live in an aquarium. This reptile mostly preys on different mouse species. The wild corn snake is adept at hiding and maintaining its temperature.

Sometimes these snakes are bright yellow with black checkered patterns all over them. These particular ones look just like cornfields, and that is probably why they are called corn snakes. Corn snakes can camouflage during the day, and the reptile primarily moves around at night. They usually hide in animal burrows, tree trunks and sometimes also hide in buildings or garages. They love to hunt different types of mice for their diet.

In fact, many households keep corn snakes as their pet to ensure that there are no rodent infestations. It is a great pet to keep mice away. Corn snakes are not caring parents and they tend to leave their eggs in areas that are warm. Baby corn snakes grow without assistance from adult corn snakes, which is probably why very few of them become adults. Baby corn snakes tend to eat small insects till they grow and start hunting bigger prey using their body patterns to hide in their habitat.  Baby corn snakes usually eat small rodents, lizards, tiny snakes, and frogs while adult corn snakes eat birds, their eggs, rodents of all sizes, and other small mammals.

After reading all about the role of humidity in the life of a corn snake, do read about what do corn snakes eat and how long do crested geckos live.

How long do corn snakes live as a pet?

Like we discussed earlier, corn snakes are not poisonous and can be kept as pets. Pet corn snakes live for roughly 10-15 years and need constant care and attention. They grow long and need space to move around. Females tend to grow longer than males so it is better to know whether your corn snake is a male or female to ensure that the cage is of the right size. Living as a pet is a good option for corn snakes. They live healthy and long lives. The life of wild corn is filled with dangers, while pet corn snakes stay far away from predators and enjoy safe shelter and a good supply of food.

They can be brought outside the cage and held in your hands. They are not venomous, so it is safe to hold them without gloves. It is important to ensure that they are not held for more than 10-15 min, as their core temperature might start to fall. Even though they are not poisonous, they can bite when threatened or upon smelling food. These snakes belong to the Pantherophis guttatus species. These reptiles have been recorded to live for as long as 20 years as pets if taken care of. However, on average, they live up to 15 years. When in the wild, this species of Pantherophis guttatus does not live more than six to eight years. They are omnivores and need a healthy diet to live longer lives. Snakes might also get sick sometimes and it is important to visit the vet on such occasions.

How long do corn snakes live in captivity?

When in captivity, the average age of snakes increases dramatically. They are known to live up to 15 years and sometimes even 20 years of age. On average, these are tough creatures and can manage themselves in harsh climates as long as they are able to find shelter. Snakes kept in captivity are usually well taken care of. They eat mice and receive quality care.

They lay their eggs in areas of high humidity and live longer in enclosures. The lifespan of Pantherophis in captivity depends entirely on the care they receive from their owners. Unlike in the wild, snakes in captivity are able to eat regularly and get a nutritious diet. The best enclosure for corn snakes in captivity is an aquarium containing a number of items such as a heater, light, and other articles. The heater is important to maintain the appropriate temperatures and maintain the humidity needed by cold-blooded snakes.

Snakes in captivity live longer because they are safe from predators and get access to a good diet consisting of mice and other small mammals or some green vegetables. A mouse is a great part of a corn snake's diet, providing it with health and a connection to its wild, natural habitat. All the related species of reptiles, though good at adapting to their habitat, tend to live longer when in captivity.

How long can corn snakes be out of their cage?

Snakes are good pets with long lives. Snakes with longer lives are examples of great pet care. The corn snake can be taken outside its cage in captivity, provided the temperature outside is around 80o F (26.6o C). It is better to keep the snake in your hands whenever it is outside its cage. Snakes have a tendency to escape; if left on the ground, they will eventually find a way to escape captivity. They should not be kept out of their cage for longer than 10-15 minutes otherwise their body temperature will fall.

Since these are cold-blooded animals, their body temperatures require the outside environment to be around 80o F (26.6o C). This ensures that the snake in captivity is healthy. This is probably why snakes that live in captivity tend to live longer; an exact temperature is set by the heater that is placed in the aquarium.

It is recommended to take your pet outside its enclosure and hold it from the end of its tail and the middle. Remember not to grab it directly as this might frighten him or her and it could bite. Snakes are generally kept outside their cage for 10-15 minutes at a time. This can be done multiple times or not at all, depending on the wants of the owner and their desire to interact with and hold their corn snake.

What is the longest living corn snake?

Both adult corn snakes and baby corn snakes are more active at night. These reptiles live only five to seven years in the wild. However, the longest living corn snake was recorded to be in captivity till it reached 32 years and three months of age. It had bright colors and a unique set of patterns along its skin.

It has also been observed that snakes in captivity tend to become more healthy and longer compared to their wild counterparts. The survival rate of baby corn snakes also increases because of the right temperature, humidity, food, and safety from other animals at all times. These, along with vet care, are important factors in increasing the average lifespan of pet corn snakes.

The skin of most snakes is slippery, but sometimes, depending on the habitat it can also become coarse in the wild; these reptiles even climb trees in search of birds and their eggs. Their habitat includes mice and places to hide to get proper food and maintain a healthy diet.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 'How long do corn snakes live?' then why not take a look at 'How long do crocodiles live?', or 'Corn snake facts'.