Corn snakes are a popular pet choice among reptiles due to their docile nature, stunning morphs and large size. Many people find them to be an easy choice when selecting their reptile companion.
Corn snakes are carnivores that primarily prey on rodents. However, they will also consume birds and small amphibians.
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Mice
Corn snakes feed on a variety of small prey animals, such as mice, rats, moles, birds, amphibians and lizards. Their favorite prey includes mice, rats, moles, amphibians and lizards.
They tend to be picky eaters and will typically finish their entire diet within a short time. Eggs or baby chickens may be provided occasionally as an occasional meal, but should never replace regular food sources.
Mice make an excellent alternative food choice for corn snakes since they are smaller than rats, frogs and other rodents. Furthermore, mice are much less likely to cause an allergic reaction in your snake than other rodents such as rats.
Rats
Corn snakes make wonderful pets for many people due to their ease of upkeep and docility. They make excellent companions as well.
They are diurnal, meaning they spend most of their time hunting for prey using their sense of smell. Mice and rats are common prey items; however, other small animals may also be eaten.
Mice are the primary food choice for wild corn snakes, and they make a suitable diet for most adult corn snakes as well. Mice can be fed live or frozen.
Young corn snakes typically feed on tiny pinky mice, and as they mature they can be given larger mice to consume. Feed these mice two to three times per week is ideal.
Quails
Quails are birds commonly found throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Typically solitary creatures, some quails live in groups known as coveys.
They are omnivorous birds that feed on seeds, fruits and other plants as well as worms and small insects.
Quails in the wild can be found in open habitats and forests. While they usually stay close to ground level, they often use flight as a means of escape or reaching their roosts.
These birds communicate with a distinctive sound called “wet-my-lips.” These calls can be heard both morning and night, even from far away.
Chicks
If you’re in search of a different food option for your corn snake, chicks make an excellent choice. They provide the same nutrients as mice and quails but are smaller in size.
Baby chicks range in weight from one to three grams, while larger varieties can weigh up to five grams. You may also purchase pullets – female chickens that haven’t started laying eggs yet – which are smaller versions of their larger counterparts.
Feed your corn snake chicks twice weekly, as opposed to rats or quails who only eat once every 7-10 days. It is wise to give the snake some extra rest after eating so it can digest its meal properly.
Before feeding frozen prey to your corn snake, it’s wise to thaw it first. Doing so helps minimize the likelihood of your snake contracting a disease or parasite, or becoming injured while eating.
Fish
Corn snakes are omnivores, commonly found in the wild eating a variety of creatures such as mice, rats, birds, quails and fish. They feed by biting their prey then wrapping their body around it to slow down digestion.
Though you might think it would be beneficial to give your snake some fish as a substitute food, this should be avoided. As mice or rats are the natural diet for corn snakes, feeding them these species of animals will provide them with essential nutrition.
When feeding your snake, be sure not to handle them after they have eaten as this could cause regurgitation and stress your snake out. Additionally, avoid giving your snake any prey that is too large for it; this could make them ill.
