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Albino Corn Snake

Family: ColubridaeElaphe guttata

   Like all corn snakes, the albino corn snake makes an excellent pet for the advanced beginner.

   These colorful snakes will tame down in a short time becoming very docile, even tempered, and tolerant of frequent handling. They are very hardy and easy to maintain.

For more Information on keeping Snakes see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Herptile

Geographic Distribution Elaphe guttata Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Colubridae

Description:   The albino corn snake also referred to as the "amelanistic" or "red albino" is one of the most beautiful of the corn snakes. As an albino, they have striking, ruby-red eyes. Their body coloring is a pattern of dark red blotches on a deep orange background with a white belly. They have no black pigment. Like all corn snakes, their scales are lightly keeled.
   This snake will grow to the same size as a normal corn snake which is between three and five feet. Cornsnakes are a heavier bodied snake than the garter snake or the kingsnake, though their length is about the same.

Feeding:   They are a constrictor and their diet consists of mice and other rodents, chicks, and lizards. Feed once or twice a week, depending on the size of the food and the size of the snake. As you get to know your snake, you'll learn what its feeding needs are. Fresh water in a shallow dish should always be available.

Environment:   They do not eat other snakes, and so they can be housed alone or in groups with other snakes of similar size and habits.
   You can set up their terrarium as either a woodland type, a desert type, or a combination of the two with moderate humidity. See the terrarium types described under Basic Reptile and Amphibian Care for more information.
   This snake needs a hiding place and a small water dish. It also likes to climb, so a vertical or semi-vertical tree limb with some plant vining is great.

Temperature and Lighting requirements:   They do well at 75° to 85 F in the daytime, and 65° to 72° F at night. Because they are albino, they do not do well in bright lighting. You can use a substrate heating device for basic heating. For additional heat you can add a blacklight bulb or red incandescent bulb. Be sure you use a thermometer so you don't let the terrarium become overheated.
   For more detailed information see the Basic Reptile and Amphibian Care: Housing.

Distribution:   The albino corn snakes are breed in captivity.

Breeding/Reproduction:   These snakes, if not babies, need to be probe sexed for positive sex identification. Like all corn snakes they are egg layers and breed readily.

Availability:  The albino corn snake has been successfully bred and they are generally available as pets.

Author: Clarice Brough, CRS

Lastest Comments on Albino Corn Snake View all 45 comments on Albino Corn Snake Add Your Comment

Mikayla - 2012-01-13 My Albino Red Rat Snake,Alby, has been healthy for 2 weeks, which is as long as I've had him. We lost him in our house for a week and we found him only to be introduced by Cleo, the baby Columbian Red-Tail Boa. Alby was really mad when we found him, but I held him and thought he'd be okay. Today however, when I picked him up, he had a dent that went from one side of his body to under him and it was caved half-way in. He was also harder than usual. This started freaking me outl I thought it was of dehydration, but Alby had plenty of water and was resting in it for an hour yesterday AND today. Please tell me what's wrong with my little Alby. Click For Replies (2) Toby Jungle - 2012-01-15 It sounds like Alby may have gotten injured when he escaped. Keep a close eye on him to see that he is moving around normally, and eating. You may want to take him to a veterinarian if he doesn't seem to be acting normally. Mikayla - 2012-01-22 @Above, I forgot to mention that he was hurt AFTER he was found, I don't know how. Like, when I found him, perfect condition, day later, bump. Reply

Dee - 2012-01-12 I put my 5 ft albino rat snake who is all white in the tub to take off his shed and his skin stayed red when he ultimately died 3 days later. What does that mean. I have 4 more snakes usually soak them in water and help pull their shed off. Did I do it too early or something wrong? Click For Replies (1) Toby Jungle - 2012-01-15 So sorry to hear about your snake. It sounds like you may have soaked it before it was ready to shed. Soaking a snake can help, but it is best used when there is a problem with shedding. Snakes are able to shed naturally when they are ready, and usually in one piece. They build up a liquid of essential oils between the old and new layer of skin. You can tell they are getting ready to shed because their skin color becomes dull and their eyes become clouded. In order to shed properly, they need to have adequate humidity in their enclosure. Humidity levels that are too low is the biggest cause of shedding problems. Sometimes snakes need help if part of the shed is not releasing. The problem with soaking is it robs the snake of these essential oils. When you soak a snake, they should only be allowed to stay in the water for 10 to 15 minutes at most. If that doesn't do the trick, then soaking will not work. The most important thing you can do, is make sure the humidity is kept at the proper level. Reply

Brandy - 2011-01-10 We have an albino corn snake that was a Christmas Present for our then 10 years old. We have had her for a little over a year now. Her name is Zero. Everyone that finds out we have her are always asking what we were thinking and honestly at first I didn't think that I would like or have much to do w/ her. But, over the last year I have grown to love her as much as our other pets. She is very much a part of our family. She has a personality of her own, would never dare to bite one of us (altought I'm sure if she didn't feel safe she would for protection). She is beautiful, white w/ the pinkish spots and of course her red eyes are so amazing. She has gown quite a bit since we first got her. Honestly, I would much rather get another corn snake then a cat, dog, bird, or any other kind of pet. With the proper care they do not stink, or make a mess. They are easy to feed and care for. They make a really wonderful pet for our sons and our family. We hope she will be in our family for many, many years to come. Click For Replies (2) Random person - 2011-10-22 Really! My snake kind of smells....is that bad her cage can get messy from poo...are those bad!? Mikayla - 2012-01-13 Below Yes that's bad! They could crawl over it and then get so used to it that if you do clean it, they'll probably strike you( Which isn't a big deal really) and get really mad at you. Just letting you know. Reply

James Coleman - 2012-01-11 Hi I just got my baby albino yesterday and was just wondering that when I try to get him out he keeps striking should I still pick him out after he has done this to tame him down,? Click For Replies (1) Mikayla - 2012-01-13 Yes, I have one myself and he got out and was lost for a week. We found him behind the file cabinet right after we got a new Columbian Redtail Boa, anyways. My snake was striking and shaking his tail like a Rattle Snake. I was scared, but they have no teeth and are really small when babies. I tamed mine pretty quick. If he continues doing this, pick him up with a paper towel to tame him more efficiently. Hope you enjoy you Albino Red Rat Snake! :) Reply

anonomys - 2011-10-24 What does it mean when a snake makes a sneezing sound? Does it mean they are hissing and angry? My snake Pinky always makes sounds like that and I don't know what it means. Click For Replies (3) Random person - 2011-10-24 I do not know.......... Mikayla - 2012-01-03 Well it depends. Sometimes their angry and they try striking your hand and they make a sort of sneezing sound. Sometimes it's just plain sneezing. If you could send some sort of video somewhere sometime,maybe I could figure it out. BTW I think the name Pinky is really cute,since they eat Pinky mice and things ;) Graham Marshall - 2012-01-03 If it's sneezing often, then it can be down to respiratory problems, you need to check the humidity of your setup, because you may be giving him a cold, if he continues, or he looks like there's any discharge from his nose mouth or eyes, then you need to get him checked out by a vet. Reply

tachi - 2011-03-13 I just bought a Albino Corn snake yesterday. His really only just a baby. He eats a just born baby mouse (Pinkies) once a week. When I feed can I play with him right after? Click For Replies (4) Desirae - 2011-04-13 It would not be good to play with your snake right after he eats. He can get nervous and either throw the mouse up or he could bite you. I got a corn snake about a month ago and I suggest waiting three or four days before holding him once you feed him. I hope this helped with your question. Taylor - 2011-06-11 I have had my corn snake for over a year and your not supposed to hold your snake after feeding for 24 hours. It will make your snake throw up the mouse and your snake nervous to eat again afterward. anonomys - 2011-10-22 No you should not it might upchuck the food or something bad like that you should wait at least a day or two. Mikayla - 2012-01-03 Well,maybe about 3-5 hours. Just remember,they will throw up if too active. Hope this helps ;) Reply

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