Pantherophis guttatus
Corn Snake
Originating from North America, Pantherophis guttatus, commonly known as the corn snake, is a popular pet reptile admired for its striking patterns, docile nature, and manageable size. Corn Snakes have been captive bred in the USA and Europe for over 60 years, and are renowned for their ease of care and breeding, making them an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced snake enthusiasts.
Over the years, selective breeding has produced a stunning array of corn snake color morphs, featuring diverse and vibrant patterns and even unique scale variants. Here are some notable examples:
Normal (Wild Type): The natural coloration features a reddish-brown background with black-bordered red or orange blotches down the back and a black-and-white checkerboard pattern on the belly.
Amelanistic (Amel): These morphs lack black pigment, resulting in bright red, orange, and white coloration. Common variations include the Red Albino and Sunglow.
Anerythristic (Anery): These snakes lack red pigments, presenting shades of gray and black. Anery A (also known as Black Albino) is the most common type.
Hypomelanistic (Hypo): These morphs have reduced black pigmentation, which intensifies the red, orange, and yellow hues.
Lavender: Characterized by a pale lavender or silver-gray background with darker lavender or purple blotches, this morph is highly sought after for its unique and subtle coloration.
Snow: A combination of amelanistic and anerythristic traits, resulting in a white snake with faint yellow or pink blotches.
Butter: A mix of the Amel and Caramel genes, producing a yellow or light orange snake with bright yellow patterns.
Ghost: A combination of the Anery and Hypo genes, resulting in a snake with muted, ghostly shades of gray, silver, and beige.
Bloodred: Known for their deep red coloration and reduced or absent belly pattern, making them appear almost solid red.
Okeetee: Named after the Okeetee region in South Carolina, these snakes are known for their vibrant orange and red blotches with thick black borders.
Piebald: These snakes have patches of normal coloration interspersed with white, creating a striking, piebald effect.
Scaleless: A unique morph that lacks the typical scales of a corn snake, giving it a smooth, almost rubbery appearance. They come in various color and pattern combinations.
The vast array of corn snake morphs provides enthusiasts with numerous choices, each offering distinct and beautiful variations. This diversity in appearance, along with their manageable size and docile nature, contributes to the popularity of corn snakes as pets.
History
Pantherophis guttatus, initially described as Coluber guttatus by Carl Linnaeus in 1766, is a species better known as the corn snake. Over time, taxonomic revisions have placed this species under different genera, including Elaphe and its current classification as Pantherophis.
Corn snakes have a rich history, both in the wild and in captivity. Named for their frequent presence in cornfields, where they hunt rodents, these snakes have been part of American folklore and natural history for centuries. In the wild, they play a crucial role in controlling pest populations, particularly rodents.
In captivity, corn snakes have been bred extensively, resulting in a wide variety of morphs and color patterns. Their popularity as pets began to rise in the mid-20th century, and they have since become one of the most commonly kept and bred snake species in the reptile hobbyist community.
Characteristics
Corn snakes belong to the family Colubridae and the subfamily Colubrinae.
Corn snakes exhibit a variety of characteristics that make them appealing as pets. In the wild, Corn Snakes are usually orange or brownish-yellow with black-bordered red blotches.
Adult corn snakes typically range from 35 to 60 inches (90 to 150 cm) in length, with some individuals reaching up to 6 feet (180 cm). This manageable size, combined with their docile nature, makes them popular pets among snake enthusiasts.
With appropriate care, corn snakes can enjoy a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, although some may live even longer. This longevity, coupled with their gentle temperament, contributes significantly to their appeal as pets.
Distribution
Corn snakes are native to the southeastern United States, ranging from New Jersey to Florida and west to Louisiana and Kentucky. They inhabit a variety of environments, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields. Their adaptability to different habitats has contributed to their wide distribution and success as a species.
In the Wild
In their natural habitat, corn snakes are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the night or twilight hours. They are excellent climbers and can often be found in trees or other elevated areas. Their diet mainly consists of small rodents, but they will also consume birds, eggs, and lizards.
Corn snakes are known for their excellent camouflage, which helps them avoid predators. Their primary threats in the wild include larger snakes, birds of prey, and mammals. They rely on their agility and secretive nature to stay safe.
Corn snakes naturally inhabit a wide range of environments across the southeastern and central United States. They are often found in overgrown fields, forest edges, abandoned or seldom-used buildings and farms, which provide ample hiding spots and food sources. These snakes prefer habitats that offer both warmth and shelter, and they can also be found in scrublands and areas of agricultural activity, such as cornfields, which likely contributed to their common name. Their adaptability to different environments includes semi-arid areas, as long as there is adequate cover and prey availability.
Corn snakes inhabit regions that experience a variety of seasonal changes in temperature and humidity. Spring and Fall typically feature mild temperatures, generally ranging from 60°F-80°F or 15C°-27°C. The summer months however, can be quite warm, often ranging from 80°F-90°F or 27°C-32°C, and occasionally even higher. Winter temperatures vary widely depending on geographic location, but it generally ranges from 30°F-60°F or -1°C-15°C. In some areas, it may occasionally drop below freezing.
In the Terrarium
Corn Snakes are nocturnal and crepuscular reptiles with a primarily terrestrial lifestyle, but they are also highly adept climbers. They exhibit both terrestrial and semi-arboreal behaviors, meaning they can live on the ground but also climb trees and other structures. Due to their primarily terrestrial lifestyle, horizontally orientated terrariums work best for Corn Snakes. Elevated platforms, for the Corn Snakes to sunbathe, can be nicely incorporated in the terrarium interior design.
Corn Snakes are generally not a social species. In the wild, they are solitary animals, typically coming together only during the breeding season. When keeping corn snakes together in captivity, it's essential to monitor them closely for signs of stress or aggression, ensure they are of similar size, and provide ample space and hiding spots to reduce competition and stress. Most experts recommend housing corn snakes individually to ensure their well-being.
Creating a suitable environment for a corn snake in captivity involves replicating their natural habitat as closely as possible.
Terrarium
Corn Snakes thrive best in horizontally oriented, well ventilated terrariums like the Exo Terra® Natural Terrariums. The terrarium should provide enough space for the snake to move around comfortably and exhibit their natural behaviors.
Exo Terra® Natural Terrariums, designed by European herpetologists, offer several housing options for Corn Snakes. These glass terrariums feature front opening doors, allowing easy access for maintenance and feeding and a unique double ventilation system with full screen stainless steel top. The full screen stainless steel top allows ultraviolet rays from UVB lights to penetrate deep inside the enclosure. In the back of the screen cover are 5 closable wire or tube inlets on both sides to facilitate the installation of powered accessories.
DISCLAIMER In regards to the pet species and number of specimens to be kept in a terrarium, always comply with the species specific Rules and Regulations in your Country of residence.
DISCLAIMER The terrarium should be placed in a room receiving only indirect light from windows. Do not place the Terrarium near a window where it can receive direct sunlight, as this could cause the terrarium to overheat and stress or kill your Corn Snakes.
Lighting
Corn Snakes are nocturnal and crepuscular residents of the Cryptophotic Zone, meaning they are most active during twilight and prefer hidden or shaded environments. Inhabiting the Cryptophotic Zone, they are adept at navigating and thriving in low-light conditions, where they can regulate their body temperature and behavior away from direct sunlight. Their habitats balance subtle light and ample cover, catering to their physiological needs through carefully moderated exposure to light and warmth.
These snakes rely on a mix of indirect natural light and thermal gradients to support their metabolic processes and overall health. Ensuring they receive the optimal blend of diffused light, including visual light, moderate UVA and UVB, and controlled Infrared-A Heat rays, is crucial for their well-being. This setup allows Pantherophis guttatus to maintain their preferred temperature without the risk of overheating, while providing the necessary environmental cues for their natural behavior and circadian rhythm.
Ensuring the presence of the proper UVB wavelength is essential for the conversion of provitamin D3 (7-Dehydrocholesterol) into pre-Vitamin D3. Once this conversion takes place, the warmth from Infrared-A heat rays becomes the catalyst for the thermal isomerization process, ultimately yielding the vital Vitamin D3. Even though snakes do not necessarily require UVB lighting for vitamin D3 assimilation, it does support their production of vitamin D3 and benefits various other biological processes. The inadequate assimilation of calcium from daily food is a prevalent dietary issue among captive reptiles. It's important to remember that calcium plays a pivotal role in bone growth and maintenance, muscle function, and numerous critical metabolic processes within their bodies.
We recommend providing your cryptophotic Corn Snakes with a combination of visible light, moderate UVA & UVB rays and an appropriate Infrared-A heat source. To provide visual light and moderate UVA and UVB rays, the best option is the Reptile UVB100 T5 Linear Bulbs or Compact Bulbs, catering specifically to reptiles of the Cryptophotic Zone, or the TerraSky UV LED which allows adjustment of the UVA and UVB output strength to match the demand of your Corn Snakes.
To create a perfect basking zone where visual light, radiant Infrared-A heat, and UVB converge harmoniously, it is recommended to install a Tungsten Halogen or other Incandescent bulb (such as the Intense Basking Spot or Halogen Basking Spot). The Infrared-A emitted by these bulbs penetrates deeply into the subcutaneous skin, enabling effective deep tissue thermoregulation. This supports various metabolic processes, including vitamin D3 conversion, cell growth, wound healing, and immune system enhancement.
Maintaining a 12-hour day/night cycle offers a straightforward approach to ensuring the well-being of your corn snakes throughout the year. For those aiming to replicate natural seasonal changes and potentially encourage breeding, consider adjusting the photoperiod and temperatures seasonally. During the summer months, extend daylight to 14 hours paired with higher temperatures, and shift to cooler conditions with 10 hours of daylight during the winter. This simulation of natural environmental changes can enhance your corn snakes' overall health and reproductive success.
Heating
Monitoring
Corn Snakes require a specific temperature range both during night and the day to thrive (see “Heating”).
To have a clear indication of the temperature gradients inside the terrarium, it is best to use 2 Exo Terra® Digital or Analog Thermometers, one placed on the cooler side of the Terrarium, and one on the warmer side. This helps you to monitor the preferred temperatures for your reptiles.
The safest option to ensure that your reptiles receive the right temperature is the use of a Thermostat. The Exo Terra® Thermostats will also help to prevent overheating and undercooling during hot summer days or cold winter nights. With the Exo Terra® Thermostats you can create a well-controlled heating system that allows you to maintain the required temperature conditions similar to those found in your animal's environment.
Exo Terra® offers a wide range of Thermostats to meet every possible application:
With the Exo Terra® 600W Thermostat with Day/Night Timer & Dual Receptacles, for instance, you can create a well-controlled 24-hour heating system that allows you to maintain the required temperature conditions similar to those found in a desert or tropical environment. Both the daytime and nighttime temperatures can be set and controlled individually to guarantee safe daytime-nighttime temperature fluctuations for your reptiles. The Dual Receptacles allow you to control 2 separate heating devices, 1 during daytime, 1 during night-time (for instance: 1 incandescent heat bulb during daytime & 1 Heat Mat during night-time or for 24-hour use).
Visit our Thermostat page for more information about the different functionalities of our Thermostats.
Substrates
The Exo Terra® Snake Bedding stands out as the ideal substrate for Corn Snakes due to its exceptional features and benefits. This biodegradable reptile substrate is crafted from sustainable wood, making it an eco-friendly choice for breeders and professional reptile keepers. Its dust-free and extremely soft texture is perfect for even the most sensitive species and hatchlings, ensuring a comfortable and safe environment.
One of the key advantages of the Exo Terra® Snake Bedding is its heat-treated nature, which reduces bacterial contamination and enhances absorbency. This makes it a hygienic option for your Corn Snake's habitat. The unique texture of the wood fiber allows reptiles to shape firm nesting burrows, mimicking their natural shelters, which is crucial for their well-being and behavioral enrichment.
Moreover, the bedding boasts a high absorption rate of 3:1 and fast-drying properties, making it very low maintenance. This means less frequent cleaning and a cleaner, more pleasant environment for your corn snake. With its combination of sustainability, safety, and convenience, the Exo Terra® Snake Bedding is the ideal choice for creating a healthy and naturalistic habitat for your corn snake.
Plants
Adding a mix of decorative live and Exo Terra® artificial plants to your terrarium will provide extra cover and increase the aesthetics of the terrarium interior design. Many hobbyists choose to introduce live plants in pots that are buried in the substrate and concealed with decor items, like cork bark or rocks.
DISCLAIMER Make sure they have no pests before introduction and rinse leaves thoroughly to remove any pesticide residues.
Exo Terra® offers a wide range of artificial plant with the same advantages as live plants; they're decorative, they provide shade and they create hiding spots and visual barriers to let your reptiles and amphibians experience an increased feeling of safety and reduced stress. Exo Terra's artificial plants are exact copies of their natural counterparts to blend in well with live plants but are much easier to maintain. A combination of live plants and Exo Terra's artificial plants allows you to fully plant a terrarium, even in the hottest or driest parts.
Exo Terra's Ground Cover Plants are easy to clean & maintain, while the weighted base allows you to easily position the plant after maintenance.
Hide Outs
In the wild, Corn Snakes are generally solitary animals, typically coming together only during the breeding season. When keeping Corn Snakes together in captivity, it's essential to monitor them closely for signs of stress or aggression, ensure they are of similar size, and provide ample space and hiding spots to reduce competition and stress.
Exo Terra® offers a variety of hide-outs to match everyone’s taste, but the main goal is always to provide a safe refuge for your Corn Snakes to hide and sleep, or seek shade or privacy. Most Decorative Hides will also function as climbing space and basking platform because they create 3-D levels in the terrarium, ideal for your Corn Snakes to thermoregulate. Whether you like the more natural looking Reptile Caves, or you prefer the Skulls, Dinosaur Eggs, or other designs, always make sure that the moisture inside the cave is somewhat higher (60-70%) than the average humidity in the terrarium.
Exo Terra® created various ceramic caves designed specifically to facilitate recreating that natural micro-climate. The eco-friendly Exo Terra® Ceramic Hides offer your Corn Snakes a secure place to hide and sleep, while the moist microclimate will support thermo-regulation, hydration, and aid the natural shedding process of your snakes. The unique hygroscopic properties of the ceramic material regulate the cave’s humidity and temperature in a natural way by absorbing and slowly releasing moisture from the water reservoir.
By simply adding moistened Exo Terra® Forest Moss or Sphagnum Moss, the Exo Terra® Ceramic Hides provide an ideal egg-laying site for your Corn Snakes.
When housing multiple Corn Snakes in one terrarium, ensure that each animal has its own hide-out to prevent stress.
Decor
Landscaping a terrarium will encourage physical activity and natural exploratory behaviours.
Exo Terra® offers a wide array of innovative decor items, such as Reptile Caves & Hides, Rock Outcrops, Skulls, Dinosaur Eggs, Ground Cover Plants, and Sandblasted Grapevine. These items not only personalize your terrarium but also offer significant environmental enrichment and functional features for your Corn Snakes. However, it's important to ensure that you don't overcrowd the terrarium, maintaining ample open space for your pet's comfort and mobility.
If you decide to keep multiple Corn Snakes, it's essential to provide multiple hiding places. This ensures that each snake has its own private retreat, offering a comfortable and secure resting area for every individual.
Nutrition
Corn snakes are constrictors, meaning they subdue their prey by wrapping around it and suffocating their prey before consuming it whole. In the wild, the Corn Snake's diet consists of small rodents, but they will also consume birds, eggs, lizards and in some environments even frogs.
The best diet for corn snakes living in human care consists primarily of appropriately-sized rodents, such as mice. Feed your Corn Snakes prey items that are approximately the same width, or just slightly larger, than the widest part of their body. For hatchling Corn Snakes, pinkie mice are suitable, while adult snakes can handle larger mice. Young corn snakes should be fed once every 5-7 days, while adults can be fed once every 7-14 days.
It is generally recommended to feed pre-killed or thawed frozen rodents to reduce the risk of injury to the snake.
Water
Corn Snakes need a constant supply of clean, fresh drinking water to stay hydrated. Proper hydration is crucial for their physiological functions, including digestion, circulation, and excretion. Water also serves as a behavioral enrichment element, since Corn Snakes enjoy soaking in their water dish, especially when preparing for their shed cycle, to help loosening their skin.
Exo Terra® offers a wide variety of Water Dish designs to match everyone’s taste, all with the same purpose, to keep your animals well hydrated. When thinking of Corn Snakes, especially the Exo Terra Snake Bowl comes to mind. The Snake Bowl has a very natural and realistic rock finish on the outside and a smooth non-pitted surface on the inside. The bowl is coated to prevent the development of harmful bacteria which makes it easy to clean. The Snake Bowl’s extra-deep design allows your snake to curl up in the bowl and fully submerge to soak up water. The shape of the Exo Terra Snake Bowl is designed to prevent it from being tipped over to avoid spilling water.
Always treat tap water with Exo Terra® Aquatize to remove harmful heavy metals, chlorine and chloramines, necessary to provide safe healthy water for your captive reptiles and amphibians. To keep your Corn Snakes happy and healthy, we recommend that you always add Exo Terra® Electrolyte & Vitamin D3 and Exo Terra® Liquid Calcium to the drinking water. The combination of the Electrolyte & Vitamin D3 together with Liquid Calcium will ensure that your Corn Snakes stay well hydrated, keep a healthy appetite and maintain a strong bone structure.
Maintenance
Corn Snakes require relatively little maintenance compared to most pets. It will only take a few minutes every day to check the terrarium temperatures, spot-clean the terrarium as well as clean and refill their water dish.
Daily routine:
1. Check the overall well-being of your animals, are they agile, do they lose weight, check for mites, listen if they have respiratory issues, check for shedding problems, etc.
2. Check the terrarium temperatures
3. Clean the water dish and provide clean fresh water
4. Spot-clean the terrarium; remove feces and soiled substrate.
Weekly routine:
1. Remove and clean hard surfaces if soiled
2. Spot-clean and replace soiled substrate where needed
3. If live plants are used in the terrarium, water these once a week
4. Clean the inside glass and decoration with plain water to remove any waste matter. The outside (NEVER the inside) glass can be cleaned with a paper towel and Terrarium Glass Cleaner
5. Feed your Corn Snakes every 5-7 days (juveniles), or every 7-14 days (adults).
Breeding
Breeding Corn Snakes can be a rewarding experience. Please ensure the snakes are healthy and well-nourished, and environmental conditions are optimal for breeding.
Providing a 12-hour day/night cycle is an adequate photoperiod for the healthy all-year-round keeping of your Corn Snakes. Your Corn Snakes can remain on this temperature, light cycle and feeding regime throughout the year without any disadvantage. The more natural approach, and to induce breeding, is to provide 14 hours of daylight and 10 hours of nighttime during the summer months, and reduce the daylight cycle to 10 hours daylight and 14 hours nighttime during the winter months.
In nature Corn Snakes go through a yearly brumation (milder than hibernation) cycle that lasts about 2-3 months, mostly somewhere between November and March, depending on the environmental conditions. When breeding your Corn Snakes is your goal, then you need to simulate that brumation period. As mentioned earlier, it is recommended to gradually reduce the photoperiod, or daylight cycle, from 14 hours per day to 10 hours over the course of a few weeks. Additionally, slowly lower the overall temperature to approximately 50-60°F (10-15°C).
During this brumation period, corn snakes experience a significant decrease in activity and metabolic rate. They will eat and drink less and generally be much less active.
After 2-3 months, the cycle should be reversed. Gradually increase the photoperiod, or daylight cycle, back to the normal 12-14 hours per day. The temperature should also be raised to the comfortable ambient range of 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C). Do not forget to provide fresh and clean drinking water on a daily basis, preferably enriched with Electrolyte, to make sure your snakes are well hydrated after their brumation period. Ensure both the male and female are provided with ample nutrition to gain strength and to support the female in egg development.
Introduce the male to the female's enclosure. This is typically done in the spring, after the warming-up period. Closely monitor their interaction. Mating behavior includes the male courting the female by aligning his body with hers and flicking his tongue.
About 4-6 weeks after copulation, the female Corn Snakes will lay between 10 to 30 eggs in a single clutch. In general, Corn Snakes only lay once per breeding season, but under optimal conditions, sometimes a female may lay a second clutch, known as a "double clutch." However, this is less common and generally happens only if the conditions are particularly favorable.
Make sure to provide a suitable hide at a spot with the correct temperature, and add a layer of dampened Sphagnum Moss or other moisture retaining substrate to enable the females to lay their eggs. Exo Terra® offers a wide variety of hide-outs to create a perfect egg-laying site for your Corn Snake female. When removing the eggs from the egg-laying site, make sure to maintain the orientation of the egg, keeping the top surface up. Place the eggs in an Exo Terra® Incubation Box (Suspended Incubation Method) or in a plastic container (when using the conventional substrate method) and put the box in the Exo Terra® Precision Incubator PRO set at the desired temperature. Always have an incubator operating for at least 24 hours to monitor temperatures before placing the eggs inside the incubator. Regular temperature checks are required. The Exo Terra® Incubation Box comes with an integrated thermometer that allows you to check the actual temperature inside the egg incubation box rather than relying on the overall temperature measurement in the Incubator. The ideal temperatures for incubating Corn Snake eggs are a constant 82-85°F or 28-29°C with a rather high humidity of about 90%. Eggs incubated at these temperatures will typically hatch after 55-60 days. Consistently lower or higher temperatures can reduce hatching viability, increase the risk of egg failure, and even lead to deformities in hatchlings.
Handling
Corn Snake are easy to handle and tolerate it very well. For the well-being of the Corn Snakes however, we do not recommend overly excessive handling. Refrain from handling hatchling and young Corn Snakes too long as they might feel uncomfortable being picked up. Always use both hands when picking up a snake. Gently slide one hand under the anterior third of the snake’s body, and use your other hand to support the middle or rear part of its body. Make sure you permanently support the snake’s body along its length, and avoid gripping the snake too tightly. Allowing it to move freely but securely, by constantly adjusting the position of your hands following the snake's movement, will help it feel more comfortable and secure.
Do not approach your Corn Snake from above, as this may be misinterpreted as a predatory attack and result in a panic reaction. Make sure to move slow and avoid sudden movements to prevent startling the snake.
NEVER interrupt your Corn Snake while it is eating or shortly after. It may lead to the snake refusing to eat or if the snake has already swallowed its prey, handling can cause it to regurgitate due to the stress of the physical disruption.
You will notice that during the whole process, your Corn Snake is constantly flicking its tongue. This is a natural behavior and signals that the snake is “smelling” and “tasting”, getting acquainted with its environment.
Although regular, gentle handling helps maintain a docile temperament, you should handle your Corn Snake only as long as it remains comfortable. If you notice your snake becoming restless, it's best to return it to its terrarium immediately.
DISCLAIMER Always make sure to thoroughly wash and rinse your hands with warm water before and after handling any reptile, amphibian or invertebrate.
Conclusion
The Corn Snake's relatively small size, gentle nature, and ease of handling make it an appealing choice for both novice reptile enthusiasts and experienced hobbyists. The fact that captive bred offspring is available at most reptile stores, and that there's huge variety of color morphs, contributes to the popularity as well.
Did You Know?
The conservation status of Corn Snakes is generally considered to be of "Least Concern", as they are widespread and commonly found both in the wild and in captivity. There's not even an official IUCN status listing.
Pantherophis guttatus, commonly known as the Corn Snake, gets its name partly from the distinctive maize-like pattern on its belly, resembling corn kernels. Additionally, they are frequently found in cornfields and other agricultural areas, where they hunt for rodents.
Corn Snakes are exceptional escape artists, able to squeeze through surprisingly small gaps, so it's important to stay vigilant.
Corn snakes have been known to live over 20 years in captivity with proper care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Corn Snake the right choice for me ?
Corn Snakes are a are hardy, long-lived and “easy-to-care-for” snake species, and on top of that, they come in a variety of color & pattern morphs. They're also relatively small in size, gentle nature, and tolerate handling very well.
How often should I feed my Corn Snake ?
Juveniles should be fed every 5-7 days, while adults can be fed every 7-14 days.
What should I do if my Corn Snake refuses to eat ?
Ensure the enclosure conditions are optimal and the prey size is appropriate. If refusal persists, consult a veterinarian.
How can I tell if my Corn Snake is about to shed ?
Signs include dull coloration, cloudy eyes, and reduced appetite. Ensure proper humidity to aid the shedding process.
Can I house multiple Corn Snakes together ?
It is generally not recommended, as it can lead to stress and competition for resources. When keeping Corn Snakes together in captivity, it's essential to monitor them closely for signs of stress or aggression. Ensure they are of similar size, and provide ample space and individual hiding spots to reduce negative interaction.
How often should I clean the terrarium ?
Other species
Pogona vitticeps
Bearded Dragons are native to Australia. Both the scientific and the common name of the Bearded Dragon refer to the spiny “beard” (or pogon in Ancient Greek) which can be puffed up and darkened in coloration whenever the Bearded Dragon gets excited, stressed or wants to impress and opponent. No need to panic; the spines on the thorny triangular-shaped head and spiny torso of these Dragons may look frightening but are actually very soft when touched.
Their relatively small size and docile nature but especially their love for attention, make these gentle dragons an attractive species for both the beginning reptile enthusiast, advanced hobbyist and even for kids. And moreover, unlike night active creatures, your Bearded Dragon is awake when you are awake.
Bearded Dragons have been captive bred in the USA and Europe for over 30 years. Since Australia already banned the export of native fauna and flora in the 1960’s, all currently available Bearded Dragons are captive bred over generations.
Bearded Dragon youngsters are now readily available in their natural color and pattern, but also in a multitude of color morphs. The list of designer morphs available is extensive and still growing. Where it started with twisting and tweaking the color and pattern, the latest morphs even have a different scalation. There's a lot of cool morphs available with appealing names like Sandfire Red, Sandfire Yellow, Sandfire Pastel, Tangerine, Hypo Melanistic, Witblits, Paradox, Citrus Tiger, Lemon Fire and many more. But, as stated before, not only the colors can be isolated and enhanced by selective breeding, also some specific morphological characteristics, like size or scales can be engineered: German Giants (larger than the average Bearded Dragon), Leatherback (smooth back, no spikes), Silkback (smooth skin), etc.
Ceratophrys ornata
Ornate Horned Frogs are hardy, long-lived, and “easy-to-care-for” amphibians. These large, terrestrial, burrowing frogs are native to South America and are characterized by more or less developed fleshy horns projection above the eyes.
The Ornate Horned Frog is only one of eight species of Horned Frogs:
Ornate Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata)
Cranwell’s Horned Frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli)
Suriname Horned Frog (Ceratophrys cornuta)
Brazilian Horned Frog (Ceratophrys aurita)
Caatinga Horned Frog (Ceratophrys joazeirensis)
Venezuelan Horned Frog (Ceratophrys calcarata)
Pacific Horned Frog (Ceratophrys stolzmanni)
Ecuadorian Horned Frog (Ceratophrys testudo)
The Ornate Horned Frog is one of the most commonly kept and bred Ceratophrys species. Horned Frogs are colorful and rather easy to breed which makes these fun frogs an ideal species for both the beginning amphibian enthusiast as well as for the advanced hobbyist. Captive-bred youngsters are readily available and come in a variety of colors & patterns. Next to the more common color morphs like Pattern-less Green, Strawberry, Sunburst, Albino or Chocolate, there are even hybrid morphs available called Fantasy Frogs.
Horned Frogs are commonly called Pac Man Frogs because their rounded shape and huge mouth resemble the animated character in the video game. Just like in the Pac Man game, the Horned Frogs devour everything that crosses their path.
Correlophus ciliatus
Crested Geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) are native to the islands of New Caledonia in the southern Pacific Ocean. These Crested Geckos, or Eyelash geckos, get their common names from the distinctive rows of spikes that run over their eyes and down the sides of their heads.
Thought to be extinct for many years, they were rediscovered in 1994, and several animals were brought to Europe and the United States. Soon thereafter, they proved to be very prolific in terrarium. Due to their beauty, easy manageable size, calm temperament, and ease of care in terrarium, these geckos have become one of the most popular reptiles kept as pets.
“One of the great accomplishments of herpetoculturists,” says Philippe de Vosjoli, “was to establish the New Caledonian Crested Gecko in captivity. Twenty years ago, this species was known by hobbyists only in the form of photographs of preserved museum specimens.”
Hyla cinerea (Dryophytes cinereus)
American Green Tree Frogs are native to the Southeastern United States roughly from Eastern Virginia to Florida in the East and from Central Texas all the way to the West. There's also records of introduced populations in Puerto Rico and even some invasive American Green Tree Frogs have been noticed in Hawaii.
They can be primarily found around lakes, ponds, swamps, streams and in wetlands. They prefer habitats with floating vegetation, reeds & grasses, and shrubs with branches overgrowing the riparian zone. American Green Tree Frogs easily adapt to various habitats and can be found in urban environments, like garden ponds in private gardens, hotel gardens and industrial complexes.
American Green Tree Frogs are hardy, long-lived and “easy-to-care-for” amphibians. Their engaging personalities, their bright yellow-green back and cream-white lateral stripe running from just under their big golden eyes all the way to their groin, make them appealing display animals for both the beginning reptile enthusiast as well as for the advanced hobbyist.
American Green Tree Frogs are a fairly social species and are best enjoyed when kept in small groups of 4 to 8 animals. The interaction between the animals in these small groups increases the viewing pleasure but also stimulates their mating behavior.
The American Green Tree Frog has been successfully bred in Europe and the USA for decades. American Green Tree Frogs are available as wild-caught specimen as well as captive-bred. We do recommend starting with captive-bred specimen, so you know their age and can rest assured that the youngsters are healthy.
Dendrobates auratus
The green-and-black poison dart frog, or Dendrobates auratus, is a captivating amphibian native to southeastern Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and northwestern Colombia. Recognizable for its long lifespan, the species is also notable for being relatively easy to care for, making it an appealing choice for hobbyists and researchers alike.
Its vivid mint-green base coloration punctuated with black splotches sets it apart visually. However, this species displays a fascinating trait known as color polymorphism. Individuals can exhibit varying shades, with base colors ranging from green to blue, yellow, and even white. The darker splotches, a characteristic signature of the species, vary from bronze to black.
Just like other poison dart frogs, their bright colors serve a crucial evolutionary purpose. They exhibit aposematic coloration, wherein the vibrant hues deter potential predators by signaling the frog's toxic nature, discouraging them from considering the frog as prey.
Primarily terrestrial, green-and-black poison dart frogs are bottom dwellers, spending most of their time navigating through the leaf litter blanketing the forest floor. However, they frequently venture upwards, climbing vines and trees in their tropical habitats.
These frogs are attractive display animals for beginner and advanced amphibian enthusiasts. Their stunning coloration, coupled with their relative ease of care, make them popular choices for terrarium inhabitants. They are best kept as pairs or in groups with most males, as females may exhibit aggressive behavior towards each other when vying for a specific male's attention.
Initially, these creatures may exhibit shy behavior. However, when housed in a well-planted terrarium offering plenty of hiding spots, they quickly become more active, adding a dynamic element to their display. With their intriguing behaviors, rich color variation, and their adaptability, Dendrobates auratus offer a unique glimpse into the vibrant world of amphibians.
Eublepharis macularius
Leopard Geckos are native to Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the North-Western part of India. The Leopard Gecko’s scientific name refers to the fact that these geckos have eyelids, whereas their common name is based on their spotted “leopard-like” color pattern. Young Leopard Geckos show a more banded pattern which over time changes towards a spotted pattern when they become adults.
It is a docile and “easy-to-care” for species that has been captive bred in the USA and Europe for more than 40 years. Their cute smiley faces, their ability to clean their eyes with their tongue and their somewhat clumsy, tail-wiggling movements make them appealing display animals for both the beginning reptile enthusiast as well as for the advanced hobbyist.
Leopard Geckos are a fairly social species and are best enjoyed when kept in small groups of 1 male with up to 5 females. The interaction between the animals in small groups increases the viewing pleasure but also stimulates their natural- and mating behavior.
Leopard Gecko youngsters are readily available and come in a variety of colors & patterns. The list of designer morphs available is extensive and still growing. Where it started with High Yellow, Albino, Striped, Hypo and Hyper, there's now many cool morphs available with appealing names like Godzilla Super Giant, Banana Blizzard, Blazing Blizzard, Enigma, Tangerine, Raptor, Diablo Blanco and many more.
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