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EnclosuresSetup guide

Corn Snake, Hognose and King Snake Enclosures: Setup by Species

Enclosure sizes, temperatures, humidity, locking lids and hides for corn snakes, western hognoses and king snakes, from vet, zoo and herp society sources.

By Reptile Supplies editorial teamUpdated 4 min read14 sources

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A red corn snake resting inside a hollow-log hide on shaved bedding
A red corn snake resting inside a hollow-log hide on shaved bedding

Corn snakes and king snakes need an adult enclosure of at least 36 by 18 by 18 inches (Phoenix Herpetological Society), and hognoses 20 to 40 gallons. All three need a warm side and a cool side, a hide on each side, a heavy water bowl, and a lid that locks: the sources call corn and king snakes escape artists.

Setup by species at a glance

Species Adult length Adult enclosure Warm side Cool side Humidity
Corn snake 4 to 6 ft (VCA) 36 x 18 x 18 in minimum (PHS); 150 x 50 x 50 cm (RSPCA) 85 to 90°F (PHS) 72 to 78°F (PHS) 40 to 60% (PHS); 40 to 50% (RSPCA)
Western hognose 15 to 25 in (CNAH) 20 to 40 gal (Tree of Life); 20 gal minimum (Chicago Exotics) 88 to 92°F (Tree of Life) 75 to 80°F (Tree of Life) 30 to 50% (both clinics)
King snake 3 to 4 ft for most (PHS) 36 x 18 x 18 in minimum (PHS); as long as the snake (RSPCA) 84 to 88°F (PHS) 74 to 78°F (PHS) 40 to 60% (PHS); 40 to 55% (RSPCA)

PHS is the Phoenix Herpetological Society; CNAH the Center for North American Herpetology. The RSPCA sizes vivariums to the snake: a 180 cm kingsnake needs one at least 180 cm long, 60 cm wide and 60 cm deep.

Corn snakes

VCA puts adult corn snakes at 4 to 6 feet and their life expectancy at 12 to 15 years; Phoenix Herpetological Society says 15 to 20 or more. Its enclosure minimum is 36 by 18 by 18 inches, with 48 by 24 by 24 inches or larger preferred.

The RSPCA sets the basking zone at 28 to 30°C (about 82 to 86°F) with a cool end of 20 to 24°C, and lets nights drop to 16 to 20°C. For a smaller enclosure it recommends a heat mat under one side. It also asks for at least two hides, one at each end, and a water bowl big enough for the snake to bathe in.

Glass terrariums for corn snakes and hognoses

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Western hognose snakes

Hognoses are the smallest of the three. The Center for North American Herpetology gives 15 to 25 inches, and the Utica Zoo 1 to 3 feet. Their upturned snout is built for digging, and Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital asks for loose substrate at least 2 to 4 inches deep so they can burrow.

Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center gives a warm side of 88 to 92°F, a cool side of 75 to 80°F and nights down to 70 to 75°F, with heat from an under-tank heater or heat tape on a thermostat. Chicago Exotics adds two hides, one on each side, and says cage clips help keep lids secure.

About hognose venom

The Center for North American Herpetology says the western hognose uses its venom to subdue prey, delivered from an enlarged tooth at the back of each upper jaw, and is not dangerous to humans. The Utica Zoo says the same. In the wild they eat mostly toads; in captivity both clinic sources feed frozen-thawed mice.

King snakes

VCA gives 2 to 6 feet for king snakes in general; the Oakland Zoo says California kingsnakes rarely exceed 4 feet. Phoenix Herpetological Society calls them excellent escape artists and says to secure every gap in the enclosure. The RSPCA asks for many hides, at least one at each end, and says to keep kingsnakes on their own because they are solitary and territorial. VCA adds that king snakes have been known to eat other snakes.

PVC enclosures for adult corn snakes and king snakes

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Heat, lids and UVB for all three

  • Thermostat on every heater. Phoenix Herpetological Society says kingsnake heating should be regulated with a thermostat to prevent overheating. The RSPCA says heat lamps must be guarded to prevent burns. VCA says to avoid hot rocks.
  • Locking lids. VCA’s snake housing page asks for an escape-proof enclosure with sealed seams and a secure top that locks.
  • UVB. VCA says veterinarians are divided on UV for snakes but that it may be beneficial. The RSPCA recommends a low-output 2 to 7 percent tube for corn snakes and kingsnakes. The UV-Tool study (Baines et al. 2016) puts corn snakes in Ferguson zone 1 to 2 and western hognoses in zone 2; it does not list king snakes.

The heat lamps and thermostats guide covers mats and thermostats in detail.

Feeding tools, not feeders

The sources for all three species feed dead rodents. VCA says snakes should be trained to eat dead prey because it is more humane for the prey and safer for the snake. The RSPCA feeds corn snakes a baby mouse every five to six days as hatchlings, working up to one adult mouse every 7 to 14 days, and offers the food with tongs. It also says to wait 48 hours after a meal before handling. Phoenix Herpetological Society mentions a snake hook for tap training kingsnakes before handling.

We link tongs, hooks, hides and gauges, never feeder animals. The same tools make good presents: see gifts for reptile keepers.

Hides, feeding tongs, snake hooks and hygrometers

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For a larger, more humid setup, compare the ball python enclosure guide. The reptile supplies checklist lists everything for each species, and the leopard gecko tank setup uses the same warm-side, cool-side logic for a small lizard.

Frequently asked questions

What size tank does a corn snake need?

Phoenix Herpetological Society gives 36 by 18 by 18 inches as the adult minimum and prefers 48 by 24 by 24 inches or larger. The RSPCA asks for at least 150 by 50 by 50 cm for a 150 cm corn snake.

What size enclosure does a western hognose need?

Hognoses are smaller. Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center suggests 20 to 40 gallons with at least 24 by 12 inches of floor, and Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital sets 20 gallons as the minimum for an adult.

Are hognose snakes venomous?

The Center for North American Herpetology says western hognoses use venom from enlarged rear teeth to subdue prey but are not dangerous to humans, and the Utica Zoo says the same.

Can two king snakes live together?

No. The RSPCA says to keep kingsnakes singly because they are solitary and territorial, and VCA notes that king snakes have been known to eat other snakes.

How do I stop my snake escaping?

Use an enclosure with a secure top that locks and sealed seams, as VCA advises. Phoenix Herpetological Society calls corn snakes known escape artists, and Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital recommends cage clips on tank lids.

Filed under EnclosuresStart here: Reptile Supplies Checklist: What Every Enclosure Needs, by Species

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