What's the best habitat, feeding, and lighting for my thin corn snake?

Hello! Snake feeding requirements are more based on size and weight than on chronological age. So generally, yes a corn snake under 1 year should be eating pinkies and older corn snakes will typically start eating small mice, then larger mice, it can depend on the individual. I would recommend taking Franklin to a reptile vet for a wellness/new pet exam and they can give a much more specific feeding recommendation based on their exam findings. Since I can’t see Franklin, it’s hard for me to give you a specific instruction about size and number of mice or rats to feed, though I suspect that he should be eating more than just a pinkie every 2 weeks. Good luck!

An adult corn snake should only eat once every 7-10 days. Here’s a helpful rule of thumb that applies to most snake-feeding situations. It relates to the size of the prey items. You should offer your snake feeder mice or rats that are roughly the size of the snake at the snake’s widest part (the mid-body area). In other words, the feeder rodent should be 1 to 1-1/2 times the diameter of your snake’s middle. You can go slightly larger than this, but not much.

I honestly would not be overly concerned at this point. Snakes can go for very long periods of time (months) without eating at all. At least he is still eating something. He may be getting ready to shed or possibly the tank temperature has fallen too low. I suggest you check the temperature of the tank to make sure it is staying at the correct levels. There should be a temperature gradient of 70-85 degrees so that one side of the cage is warmer than the other. That way he can move around to the temperature he needs at any given time. When they are digesting their food they often need higher temps. After making sure the temperatures are correct, I recommend skipping one week of feed all together. Then the next week, try feeding him again to see if his appetite is back to normal.

Thanks for reaching out about Ivory and including a photo. You are correct that snakes can be finicky eaters during weather changes. If you feed mice, try offering rat pups: to snakes they smell and taste differently. If that doesn't work, a veterinary visit is recommended as intestinal parasites or infections are common. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about the snakes. Breeding season can be an explanation for not eating, but these animals remain very active and alert. If lethargic, weak or quiet, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Being together, intestinal parasites would be a plausible explanation also. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Francis. His metabolism is based mostly on the environmental temperature (and a few other things). Monitor him for activity, often when starting to move around a lot, is searching for something to eat. Then monitor body score, if overfeeding with start putting on weight and "rounding out". Not a fan of a consistent feeding schedule as sometimes they get trained to eat at a specific time whether needing it or not. Good luck.

Check the temperature in their enclosures. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. If you keep them in the same enclosure, consider housing them separately to avoid stress or aggression. Survey the area in and around the enclosures for any negative stimuli. This may include loud noises, strong vibrations, bright lights, cold drafts or high traffic. Reduce or eliminate any if found. Letting them out on the lawn or in the garden is not recommended as they could escape, get injured or pick up parasites.