About Albino Corn Snakes

Albino corn snakes, also known as the 'red albino' or 'rat snake', are part of the Colubrid family of snakes, a species that contains about 1,700 types. Corn snakes are often kept as pets and were one of the first snakes bred for this purpose. They are readily available for purchase, and live in the wild in the Southeastern United States. Overall, they are docile snakes, tolerant of handling and easy to keep in the home.

  1. Physical Characteristics

    • One of the most striking characteristic of the albino corn snake is its ruby-red eyes. Breeders breed these snakes to have various colors and patterns, although they are usually orange or red with a white belly. Patterns are typically either motley, striped or zig-zag. They have no black pigment and lightly keeled scales. They grow to about three to five feet long, and are relatively strong despite their body mass.

    Diet

    • Albino corn snakes are constrictors and carnivores that usually eat mice, rodents, lizards, and chicks. They should only be fed killed prey because rats and other live rodents will turn on the snake if it is not hungry. They should be fed once or twice a week, depending on their size. They also need readily available water in their tank. Since they do not eat other snakes, many people house them with companion snakes.

    Environment

    • When keeping albino corn snakes as pets, their tank can be set up to imitate a woodland or desert habitat. They like slight humidity, and dim light is important because of their albino nature. The daytime temperature in their home should be about 75-85 degrees. They need a place to hide and a place to climb -- so a hollowed out rock and a long tree limb or two are important.

    Pets

    • Interested pet owners usually purchase corn snakes when they are small. The snakes can live up to 25 years. Although they usually do not bite, it is important to handle them consistently to keep them tame and passive. They are quick, and can be semi-aggressive, so make sure they are in a secure tank. They are great climbers, sometimes known to shake their tails against leaves in order to sound like rattlesnakes.