Pros and Cons of Keeping Corn Snakes

Each snake breed is different. While keeping a corn snake is a good experience, it may not be for everyone. One must carefully assess the positive and negative things about keeping a snake, and the particular breed of snake they want to keep.

This section outlines the pros and cons of keeping a Corn Snake.

Pros

• Docile and easy to tame, inquisitive and active.
• Rarely bite, safe around children if supervised appropriately.
• Easy and simple to take care of, only require feeding every 5-14 days depending on age.
• Grow to a manageable size (5 to 4 feet on average).
• Relatively cheap to buy and not expensive to feed.
• Unlikely to get ill with appropriate care.
• Trouble-free feeding and shedding in captivity.
• Can live for about 15 to 20 years!

Cons

• Not as receptive to humans as other animals usually kept as pets.
• Cannot be taught to respond to their names and do tricks.
• Corn Snakes, like most snakes eat rodents so they are not recommended pets for people who may not stand feeding.
• Food only available in reptile shops and online.
• Can live up to 20 years so they may be difficult to rehome.
• Many people are afraid of snakes, so be prepared for guests who may not respond positively to your pet.