corn snake life cycle

Life Cycle of the Corn Snake

Last Updated June 1, 2004

January - Snake is in brumation, which is the reptile version of hibernation. In the corn snake finds a cave or an abandoned underground den where the temperatures are typically in the 50's and over-winters there.

February - Snakes are finishing the brumation period. As the days are getting longer and temperatures are raising in the wild, the corn snakes are ready to emerge from the winter dens. In captive breeding, the temperatures are gradually raised back to the normal ranges and light is returned during the day.

March - This begins a period of heavy feeding prior to breeding. In the wild, the timing is just right as birds and other animals are having their young. Corn snakes feed on lizards, eggs, or baby rodents which are abundant in the spring. In captivity, the female corn snakes are voracious feeders building up fat reserves for the egg production ahead. Males, on the other hand, will often not eat, preferring to search for females to breed with.

April - Approximately 30-60 days after brumation, females are ready to breed. A single male corn snake can breed with 4 or more females. Actually, corn snakes do not require brumation to breed, unlike other types of snakes. After a the snake has bred, and the eggs are developing, she is said to be gravid, which is the correct term for pregnancy in reptiles. In captivity, it may take several attempts before the female finally is ready to be mate. Breeders often let the snakes mate 2-3 times or more to insure that the eggs are fertilized as much as possible.

May - The eggs are now growing and maturing in the females. The typical time from breeding to laying is around 35 days. By the end of May, most females have laid their first clutch of eggs.

June - After laying eggs, the females again eat voraciously, and if the conditions are right, they become ready to breed again. This second breeding usually occurs within about two weeks of laying. In captivity, some early breeders have eggs are now hatching. The typical time from laying to hatching is about 80-90 days at optimum 80-85 degree temperature conditions. It can be longer (100 days or more) if the temperatures fluctuate or if they are outside this optimum range.

July - The majority of corn snakes lay their first clutch of eggs in July. The new hatchling corn snakes will eat small, newly born lizards in the wild. Captive bred hatchlings will eat their first meal of a small pinky mouse. Many hatchlings will refuse to eat mice since they are genetically predisposed to feed on lizards. Breeders have various techniques to encourage these stubborn feeders to begin eating mice.

August - The second clutch of eggs are being laid just as the new corn snakes are finally ready to go out on their own. This is the peak of the season for sales of corn snake hatchlings. This also corresponds to the time of big reptile shows where the various breeders come to show and sell the years crop of snakes. The female snakes are also eating heavily to regain the weight lost during breeding or to grow the second clutch of eggs now maturing.

September - The second clutch of eggs are now laid, and the females are eating in earnest to regain the weight in preparation for brumation in the winter. Breeders continue to sell the snakes produced in the summer and to incubate the second clutches of eggs. Many second clutches hatch in the end of September.

October - Generally the last of the second clutches are laid in October, while the females continue to feed actively to gain weight. The males, meanwhile, only need to eat about once every 10 days to 2 weeks. The peak of the corn snake selling season is starting to wind down and the last of the second clutch eggs will hatch.

November - With the shorter days and cooler temperatures, corn snakes now prepare for brumation. The last feeding of the snakes happens at least 2 weeks prior to the start of brumation, to allow the digestive tract to empty, since no digestion occurs during the cold times of brumation. By late November, new prospective snake buyers are looking for corn snakes as the perfect Christmas Gift. But don't delay, or the selections may not be available.

December - By Early December, with the cold temperatures, the snakes head back to the caves or dens and go into the annual brumation cycle. In captivity, the breeders shut off the heat, and lower the temperatures and the captive snakes also go into brumation. With no snakes to feed and the sales for the year either done or slacking off, it is time for a well-deserved rest for the breeder.

There are lots of places to learn about corn snakes and many places to get advice on raising them as pets. Many breeders and hobbyists, including us at MoReptiles, are more than happy to help you if you have any questions. Usually the best way to reach us is by email at mark@moreptiles.com We can also usually be reached by telephone at (636)685-8136.