How Often Do Corn Snakes Shed

Corn snakes are a species of rat snake that is common in the southeastern United States. They get their name from their habit of eating corn on the cob. Corn snakes are non-venomous and are popular pets because they are easy to care for and handle.

Corn snakes typically live for 10-12 years, but some have been known to live 20 years or more.

Corn Snake – The Shedding Process

Corn snakes are one of the most popular snake pets, and for good reason! They’re relatively small (compared to other snakes), docile, and easy to care for. One of the most common questions new corn snake owners have is “How often do corn snakes shed?”

The answer is: it depends. Corn snakes typically shed every 4-8 weeks, but this can vary depending on the individual snake’s age, health, and husbandry conditions. For example, younger corn snakes tend to shed more frequently than older ones.

If a corn snake isn’t getting enough humidity in its enclosure, it may also have trouble shedding properly. If you’re not sure whether your corn snake is due for a shed or not, there are a few telltale signs to look for. The first is that the snake’s eyes will start to turn cloudy or milky-looking.

You may also notice that the snake’s body looks duller than usual, and its scales may start to appear raised or rougher than normal. If you see any of these signs, it’s time to increase the humidity in your corn snake’s enclosure (by misting it with water or using a humidifier) and give your pet some extra TLC until it completes its sheds!

How Often Do Corn Snakes Eat

Corn snakes are a type of rat snake and are native to the southeastern United States. They get their name from their habit of eating corn kernels. Corn snakes are relatively small snakes, reaching an average length of 4 feet (1.2 meters).

They are also one of the most popular types of pet snakes. Corn snakes generally eat once a week, although they may go for longer periods without food if necessary. Their diet consists primarily of rodents such as mice and rats.

In captivity, they can be fed pre-killed prey or live prey that has been properly handled to avoid being bitten.

Credit: wildlifeinformer.com

How Do I Know When My Corn Snake is Going to Shed?

One of the most common questions we get here at Corn snake HQ is “how do I know when my corn snake is going to shed?”. While there are a few tell-tale signs that your corn snake is getting ready to shed, the best way to be sure is to pay close attention to their skin. As shedding approaches, you may notice that your corn snake’s colors begin to dull and their skin starts to look dull and dry.

Their eyes may also become cloudy or milky looking. These are all perfectly normal changes and are nothing to be concerned about. If you want to be absolutely certain that your corn snake is about to shed, you can gently prod their skin with your finger.

If it comes away easily, then shedding is definitely imminent. Once shedding begins, it usually takes around 2-3 days for the process to be complete. During this time, your corn snake will likely spend a lot of time hiding away and may even refuse food.

This is perfectly normal behavior and nothing to worry about – they just need some peace and quiet while they go through this natural process.

Why is My Corn Snake Shedding So Often?

If you’ve noticed that your corn snake is shedding its skin more often than usual, there are a few possible explanations. First, it could be simply due to the time of year. Corn snakes typically shed their skin more frequently in the spring and summer months, when they’re actively growing.

Secondly, shedding can also be triggered by changes in temperature or humidity levels. If you’ve recently made any changes to your snake’s habitat, that could be the reason for the increased shedding. Finally, it’s also possible that your snake is sheds more frequently because of an underlying health issue.

If you’re concerned about your snake’s shedding habits, it’s always best to consult with a reptile veterinarian for guidance.

Can You Handle a Corn Snake While Its Shedding?

If you’ve ever owned a corn snake, or any type of snake for that matter, you know that they go through a process called shedding. This is when they “slough” off their old skin in order to grow new, healthy skin. While your snake is shedding, it’s important to not handle them too much as it can be stressful and can cause them to shed improperly.

That being said, there may be times when you need to handle your corn snake while they’re in the middle of shedding. Perhaps you need to move them to a new enclosure or check for parasites. If this is the case, there are a few things you can do to make the process less stressful for both you and your snake.

First, make sure your hands are clean and free of any oils or perfumes which could irritate their sensitive skin. Gently lift them from their enclosure using a hook or tongs if possible, so as not to put too much pressure on their body. If you must hold them with your bare hands, support their entire body so that only their belly scales are touching your palm.

Avoid handling them for longer than absolutely necessary and try not let them slither through your fingers as this could damage their fragile skin. Once you’re done handling them, place them back in their enclosure on top of some moist paper towels or Sphagnum moss so that they can rehydrate themselves. It’s also a good idea to mist the enclosure lightly with water during shedding season to help keep the air humid enough for your corn snake.

With proper care and minimal handling, your corn snake should be able to get through shedding just fine!

How Can I Help My Corn Snake Shed?

When a corn snake is getting ready to shed, you’ll notice that its colors will start to fade and it will become more lethargic. The best way to help your corn snake shed is to provide it with a warm, humid environment. You can do this by placing a wet towel or sponge in its enclosure.

You should also make sure that there’s plenty of water available for your snake to soak in. Once your corn snake has shed its skin, be sure to remove any loose pieces from its enclosure so that it doesn’t eat them.

Conclusion

Corn snakes are a type of snake that is known to shed their skin frequently. It is not uncommon for corn snakes to shed their skin once every four to six weeks.