If you’re an avid fan of reptiles and want to begin with a simple, docile pet, then corn snakes are the ideal first pet. They have a maize-like pattern to the scales on their underside, which is where they get their name, but corn snakes can actually come in a variety of colours, most commonly reds, oranges, browns and yellows.
With a typical lifespan of over 20 years when taken care of properly, you might be wondering how often corn snakes shed? It’s an integral part of owning a snake, which is why we’ve created a guide to provide all the information you need regardless of whether you’re a new owner or have owned one in the past.
Understanding the shedding process for corn snakes
Corn snakes, like all snakes, will need to shed in order to grow larger or if they lose body mass for any reason. That means you can expect pretty regular shedding, the frequency of which we’ll cover in more detail in the next section.
This important process for snakes can also occur if they have a parasite, helping them to remove the issue. Understandably, shedding can be an aggravating period for corn snakes, causing them to seem a little more irritable. On average, the process can take around a week, sometimes a little longer and sometimes a little shorter, so bear with your scaly friend during the process.
Your corn snake will secrete moisture as part of the process or will search for warm water and humidity to help move things along. Using rocks, moss and tight spaces, they’ll use the friction to help remove the loose skin from their body.
Whatever the reason for the shedding – sometimes known as ecdysis – there are a few things you may start to notice that give away when your corn snake is about to shed. See our section on these signs later in this piece.
Shedding frequency: How often do corn snakes shed?
As you can imagine, younger corn snakes that are growing will probably shed a lot more frequently than a full-grown, adult snake. Your hatchling might shed between every four and six weeks, helping it to accommodate a growing, healthy body.
Adult corn snakes, on the other hand, may only shed every 3 months, since there will be a lot less growth. This means you may only notice them shed a handful of times a year in some cases.
There are, of course, reasons why a corn snake might shed earlier, such as the aforementioned parasite issue or both before and after giving birth.
How do I know when my corn snake is about to shed?
So, what are the common signs that you can look out for when your corn snake is about to shed its skin? Here are some behaviours and patterns to spot:
- Their scales may start to dull, giving them a paler colour
- Their eyes may seem cloudy or milky
- Skin may begin the sag on the underside of the chin and neck
- They may hide away from you more than normal
- They may appear to be eating less
It’s important to note that, because the shedding skin may obscure their vision, any defensive behaviour can be put down to confusion and irritation. Their temperament should return to normal once the process is over.
How to help your corn snake through shedding
As a responsible pet owner, you will no doubt want to help your corn snake when it comes time to shed. However, most corn snakes will not likely need help, so you’re better off not handling your pet during this time to avoid aggravating them.
A healthy corn snake may need no additional help to shed, but it’s important to create the right environment for it to take place. This includes keeping the proper humidity level and giving them enough moisture to make things easy.
Here are a few other things you can do to help if things aren’t going as expected:
- Give them additional warm water to bathe in
- Add abrasive materials to their enclosure, like sticks and stones
- Maintain a healthy diet to provide the right nutrients
- Take them to a vet if the process is taking longer than 9-10 days
Don’t try to remove any shedding skin yourself, as you risk damaging the new scales underneath. This is also important if you notice your corn snake’s eye caps have not fallen off. This is called dysecdysis; do not attempt to remove them yourself, always seek help from a trained veterinarian.
Post-shedding aftercare for corn snakes
To check your corn snake has fully shed without issues, you can check their skin after the process. It’s also a good idea to keep a hydration area for them to soak in as this can be soothing for the new scales. Allow them some time after shedding before you attempt to handle them again, providing some respite to settle into the new layer.
Keeping their habitat at the right size and with all the things a corn snake needs should be a regular goal. This will ensure your corn snake can remain happy and healthy for many years to come. If you notice that your snake is struggling with the shedding process, consult your vet and refrain from intervening to pull the skin away.