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
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Elaphe |
| Species: | guttata |
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.
Featured Image Credit: aixklusiv, Pixabay