[Albino Corn Snake] Stunning Colors & Easy Care: a Perfect Pet Snake! 2024

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You’re captivated by the albino corn snake, aren’t you?

This striking reptile is an absolute stunner, with its lack of black pigment creating a vibrant contrast of reds, oranges, and yellows adorned with a saddle-like pattern.

Despite being called albino, these snakes aren’t entirely white – their eyes still contain pigment, giving them a gorgeous ruby-red gaze.

While they may need some extra care due to their photosensitivity, albino corn snakes make fantastic pets for the right owner.

Want to learn what it takes to properly care for one of these beauties?

What is an Albino Corn Snake?

An albino corn snake is a variety of the corn snake species that lacks black pigment, resulting in striking shades of orange, yellow, red, and white. These docile and popular pet snakes grow up to 6 feet long and live for 15-20 years in captivity.

Species Characteristics

Albino corn snakes are small- to medium-sized, non-venomous snakes that belong to the colubrid family. These striking reptiles lack pigmentation, resulting in striking shades of orange, yellow, red, and white, along with distinctive red eyes that make them sensitive to bright light.

Small- to Medium-sized Colubrid Snake

You’re looking at small-to-medium, easygoing constrictors with inquisitive personalities. Albino corn snakes are diurnal, semi-arboreal ambush predators well-suited for beginners.

Non-venomous, Constricts Prey

Albino corn snakes constrict their prey using non-venomous constriction. Feed appropriate prey size based on their girth. They exhibit defensive behavior when threatened but make great captive pets!

Inhabits Various Environments

These striking snakes inhabit a variety of environments across the southeastern United States, from grasslands to pine forests. During winter, they enter brumation, a state of dormancy.

Semi-arboreal, Especially as Youngsters

Your albino corn snake hatchling or youngster will thrive in a semi-arboreal environment with branches and ledges for climbing, embracing their natural tree-dwelling behaviors.

Enters Brumation During Winter

Your corn snake will brumate during winter. Prepare by cooling its enclosure, lowering feedings as its metabolism slows. Proper brumation temperature mimics natural seasonal cycles.

Appearance and Colors

You’re instantly captivated by the albino corn snake’s striking colors – shades of orange, yellow, red, and white in a saddle-like pattern and checkerboard belly. With a complete lack of black pigment (melanin), these snakes display an otherworldly beauty; the snow corn snake, for instance, appears pristine white or off-white.

Albino Corn Snakes Lack Black Pigment (melanin)

You’ll immediately notice the lack of black pigment in albino corn snakes. This is due to:

• Lack of melanin production
• Unique color variations
• Genetic inheritance
• Health implications differ from non-albinos

Their mesmerizing colors make them stunning pets!

Striking Shades of Orange, Yellow, Red, and White

The albino corn snake’s lack of melanin reveals stunning shades of orange, yellow, red, and white—striking variations letting their vibrant patterns shine. You’ll marvel at their eye-catching colors and photogenic appeal.

Saddle-like Pattern and Checkerboard Belly

Continuing with the albino’s striking colors, you’ll notice its saddle-like pattern of red and white markings along its back, complemented by a:

1. Checkerboard belly
2. Vertical lip bars
3. Large, round eyes
4. Slender body

This classic corn snake appearance—though lacking pigment—makes for an entrancing reptile pet.

Snow Corn Snakes Are Completely White and Off-white

The eye-catching snow corn snakes are completely white or off-white, lacking any pigmentation. Their stunning looks and docile nature make them ideal pets for those drawn to albino genetics and unique patterns.

Size and Lifespan

Regarding size, albino corn snakes are quite impressive, growing to lengths of 3 to 6 feet as adults with slender bodies weighing around 1 pound. Their lifespan is equally remarkable – albino corn snakes in captivity can live for 15 to 20 years, while their wild counterparts typically have a lifespan of 6 to 8 years.

Grow to 3 to 6 Feet Long

As an albino corn snake grows, you’ll see them reach lengths between 3 and 6 feet—an impressive size for these docile reptiles! With proper care, these inquisitive snakes can live 15-20 years.

Slender Bodies, Weighing Around 1 Pound as Adults

As adults, these slender-bodied snakes typically weigh around a pound, though patterns and weights vary. Their sleek build makes them easy to handle.

Hatchlings Are 12 to 14 Inches Long and Weigh 6 to 8 Grams

Baby Albinos are a third their adult size, mere 12-14 inches when hatched – fragile noodles needing specialised care. Growth is rapid; be ready for frequent sizings-up!

Lifespan of 15 to 20 Years

With proper care, your albino corn snake can live an impressive 15 to 20 years—considerably longer than its wild counterparts.

Wild Corn Snakes Have a Lifespan of 6 to 8 Years

While captive albino corn snakes enjoy lifespans of 15-20 years, their wild counterparts face:

1. Increased predation risks
2. Limited food sources
3. Habitat loss challenges
4. Environmental stressors

Resulting in shorter 6-8 year lifespans.

Husbandry

You’ll need a sizable enclosure for your albino corn snake – a minimum of 36 x 18 x 16 is recommended for adults. Be sure to include a large water dish big enough for soaking, as proper hydration is essential for these photosensitive snakes with red eyes.

Enclosure Size: Minimum of 36 X 18 X 16 for Adults

As your albino corn snake matures into an adult, providing an enclosure of an appropriate size becomes essential.

For an adult, strive for a minimum tank size of 36 x 18 x 16 inches.

This spacious area allows your magnificent snake to regulate its temperature, engage in its natural behaviors, and maintain its well-being.

Larger is invariably preferable regarding housing options for these dynamic serpents.

Water Dish: Large Enough for Soaking

You’ll need a large water dish for your albino corn snake to fully soak in. This improves hydration and humidity, helping with shedding and preventing health issues from dehydration.

Proper hydration also aids in proper digestion, so be sure to provide a clean water source large enough for your snake’s anatomy. Adjust the water dish’s size as your pet grows.

During shed cycles, increase the humidity by adding moss or sphagnum to the enclosure.

Genetics

You’re intrigued by the genetics behind albino corn snakes, aren’t you? These snakes lack melanin pigment due to a genetic mutation, giving them that striking albino look. The first albino was bred in 1961, and since then, breeders have created new color morphs by combining different genetic traits. That’s the beauty of genetics – you can get:

1. Amelanistic snakes (albinos)
2. Caramel albinos with warm browns
3. Lavender albinos with purple tones

Albinism is a naturally occurring, recessive trait caused by the tyr gene. By understanding genetics, breeders can selectively produce snakes with vibrant colors and unique patterns. It’s a fascinating blend of science and artistry!

Behavior

Albino corn snakes make great pets due to their typically docile nature. As active snakes with high metabolisms, they need to be fed regularly—around once a week—and their hunting instincts mean they may ambush prey or actively seek it out.

Popular Pets Due to Their Docile Temperament

Their docile nature makes albino corn snakes popular pets among beginners. You’ll find these snakes:

Trait	Description
Handleability	Respond well to gentle handling
Temperament	Generally calm and non-aggressive
Suitable for	First-time and novice snake owners

Excellent Climbers

You’ll notice your corn snake’s excellent climbing abilities! They’ll explore every nook and cranny, using:

1. Strong muscles
2. Prehensile tail
3. Sharp claws
4. Agility

Provide sturdy branches for enrichment.

Active Snakes With High Metabolisms

You’ll find albino corn snakes active, with fast metabolisms requiring frequent meals to fuel their high energy levels. Their social behaviors and hunting techniques showcase their lively nature.

Need to Eat Once a Week

With their high metabolisms, your albino corn snake needs weekly meals. Provide appropriately sized frozen/thawed rodents or pre-killed prey for hassle-free feedings.

Ambush Predators but May Also Seek Out Their Prey

You’ll be impressed by their ambush tactics – they often lie in wait, but also seek out prey. This versatile feeding strategy suits their varied habitats perfectly.

Habitat

Imagine your albino corn snake dwelling in its natural habitat – the versatile southeastern United States. In captivity, you’ll need to recreate a similar environment in their enclosure:

1. A 40-gallon glass tank with a secure mesh top.
2. Soft, loose substrate like aspen shavings or coconut fiber for burrowing.
3. Branches or logs for climbing, mimicking their semi-arboreal nature.
4. Hides on both the warm and cool ends, allowing them to thermoregulate.

With their light-colored eyes, albino corn snakes are more sensitive to bright lighting. Provide ample shady spots and stick to a regular day/night cycle. These docile snakes make great pets, but their specialized care requirements guarantee they thrive in captivity for their 15-20 year lifespan. With proper habitat setup, you can enjoy their stunning red and orange markings for years to come.

Diet

Feeding these mesmerizing snakes is a straightforward task.

They’re not picky eaters, but you’ll want to offer appropriately-sized prey – usually frozen or thawed mice or rats. As they grow, gradually increase the prey size. A general rule is to never feed them anything wider than the snake’s widest point.

Feed them once every 5-7 days, closely monitoring their body condition to adjust feeding frequency as needed.

While some owners enjoy the thrill of live feedings, it’s safer to stick to pre-killed prey to prevent potential injury.

With their fast metabolism, you’ll be surprised how quickly these voracious little predators can devour their meal!

Potential Health Issues

While albino corn snakes make stunning, low-maintenance pets, their lack of pigmentation also makes them prone to certain health issues – you’ll need to watch for respiratory illnesses, skin problems like dermatitis, and eye sensitivity due to their red eyes. By providing proper habitat conditions and seeking veterinary care when needed, these potential issues can often be prevented or managed successfully.

Respiratory Illnesses

Since we discussed their diet, you should watch for respiratory infections like pneumonia and bronchitis. These can arise from:

• Poor husbandry
• Low temperatures
• High humidity levels
• Parasites

Seek vet care if your corn snake shows breathing difficulties.

Ticks and Mites

Ticks and mites pose another danger, as these parasites can latch onto your snake’s skin and cause irritation or even transmit diseases. Vigilant pest control and proper veterinary care are essential for keeping your corn snake healthy.

Ticks	Mites	Consequences
Latch onto skin	Burrow into scales	Irritation and stress
Transmit diseases	Spread rapidly	Potential health issues
Require removal	Treat infestations	Vet visits may be needed

Dermatitis

You’ll want to watch for dry, flaky skin, reddened areas, or blisters, indicating dermatitis. With proper humidity, substrate, and cleanliness, you can prevent and treat this skin condition.

Stomatitis

Stomatitis causes painful mouth sores, making eating difficult. Watch for excessive drooling, swollen gums, and mouth infections. If untreated, it can become chronic.

Breathing Trouble

Your albino corn snake can have breathing trouble like asthma or pneumonia from infections. Monitor for wheezing and visit an exotics vet promptly for treatment.

Temperament & Handling

Albino corn snakes have a docile temperament that makes them highly receptive to gentle handling. However, you should give them time to adjust and start with short sessions, supporting their body without gripping too tightly and limiting interactions to once daily or less.

Respond Well to Human Handling

Albino corn snakes respond well to gentle handling. Follow safety precautions and socialization methods to build trust and bond.

Give Time to Adjust Before Handling

Like introducing any new pet, you’ll want to let your albino corn snake get comfortable before handling. Give it a few days to settle in its new home.

Start With Short Handling Sessions

After they’ve settled, start slow: short, infrequent handling sessions build trust. Limit duration to prevent stress.

Support Body Without Holding Tightly

After the initial adjustment, support their body with gentle hands – avoid gripping too tightly, which could:

1. Restrict breathing
2. Cause stress
3. Risk injury
4. Damage trust

Their docile nature allows safe, frequent interaction when handled properly.

Restrict Handling to Once a Day or Less

Let’s not overdo it! You’ll want to restrict albino corn snake handling to once a day or less to prevent stress. Here’s a simple schedule:

Day	Handle?
Monday	Yes
Tuesday	No
Wednesday	Yes
Thursday	No

Following a routine helps your scaly pal feel secure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)