How Much Is A Corn Snake: Complete Chart With The Most Recent Prices!

Corn snakes are abundant in the south-eastern parts of the United States. Their flaming orange and red hues have made them quite popular not only in America, but in other parts of the world.

They do not only look spectacular, but they also have a fantastic personality.

Pet enthusiasts often ask “How much is a corn snake” because once they lay their eyes on such wonderful critters, they want to adopt or purchase one and provide them food and shelter for the rest of their life. Good news is that they are quite affordable and there are hundreds of variations to choose from! Let’s read on to find out more about their price and other additional costs.

How Much Is A Corn Snake: At-A-Glance Price Chart

Corn snakes have been captive bred for decades. The Great Plains rat snakes have been bred with the common corn snakes to produce some of the most beautiful scaleless morphs of all times. There are over 800 corn snake morphs available in pet stores to choose from.

The colors of corn snake morphs are phenomenal. There are white, black, yellow, red and blue corn snakes. There are different pattern morphs like motley, striped or small orange dots as you can see in Palmetto corn snakes! They all come within an affordable price range.

Price Range Of Different Species Of Corn Snakes

Species Of Corn Snake	Cost ($)
Common Corn Snake/Wild-Type/Carolina	30 to 50
Great Plains Rat Snake	50 to 100
Slowinski’s Corn Snake	Morphing or trading is usually not done

Price Range (Low To High) Of Different Color And Pattern Morphs Of Corn Snake

Corn Snake Morph Type	Price (In Us Dollars)	Corn Snake Morph Type	Price (In Us Dollars)
Lava	45 to 300	Blood Red	85 to 400
Sun Glow	55 to 150	Albino	90 to 100
Candy Cane	60 to 130	Charcoal	90 to 300
Hypomelanistic	60 to 200	Amber	100 to 250
Dilute	60 to 175	Kastanie	100 to 200
Cinder	60 to 400	Lavender	100 to 600
Reverse Okeetee	65 to 220	Crimson	115 to 200
Caramel	65 to 350	Miami Phase	125 to 900
Amelanistic	70 to 150	Strawberry	150 to 300
Anerythristic	70 to 100	Orchid	200 to 300
Okeetee	70 to 800	Pattern Morphs
Sunkissed	70 to 400
Ultramel	70 to 300	Aztec	75 to 150
Honey	75 to 300	Motley	80 to 200+
Ultra	80 to 200	Striped	100 to 200
Solar	80 to 150	Zig Zag	100 to 250

Corn Snake Price: Cost Varies With Differing Color And Pattern Morphs

Corn snakes have the scientific name “Pantherophis guttatus” which holds the mystery behind their appearance. “Pantherophis” in Greek means “panther-like snake” and the term “Guttatus” in Latin means “spotted”. Surely, if you look at a classic corn snake you will find red or maroonish saddles on an orange background that may remind you of the blotches on a panther’s skin. The Great Plains rat snake and Slowinski’s corn snake look even more so.

It is for these maroon saddles and a bright orange appearance that corn snakes have admirers across the globe. Not only that but, as a result of hybridization and gene mutation due to inbreeding and crossbreeding, hundreds of morphs of corn snakes have been produced, each looking more gorgeous than the other. They are available in all the colors of the rainbow!

The corn snake morphs that resemble the common corn snakes a lot are more affordable and can be bought between $40 and $70. They are available in orange, red, yellow, maroon and tan colors that warm the heart. Pet lovers who are really looking forward to purchasing a corn snake for the first time can definitely consider an Okeetee, Anery, Cinder, or a Sun Glow morph.

However, once the patterns and colors become more complex, the prices rise too. If you look at original Okeetees, they have the characteristic orange saddles on a maroonish body, and are available between $70 and $100.

However, if you consider the High Pied Okeetee morph, which has orange on the sides, red on the top, and yellow as saddles, and look a bit unique, are available at $200 to $250! The same applies for Anery corn snakes. If you go for Ghost morphs (anerythristic + hypomelanistic) you will get them between $55 and $60. But if you choose Anery Tessera or an Ultramel Anery Strawberry Diffused, which is a mixture of different genes, they would cost between $150-300!

In short, all morphs are available at an affordable price, but as the patterns and colors become more unique, the prices rise which is quite expected. Breeding the correct morphs to get phenomenal outputs is a significantly time-consuming process and deserves a higher compen- sation. Demand and availability of snakes are other factors that determine price range.

Compound Morphs, Hybrids And Mutations

Compound morphs are formed when two or more different morphs are bred together to get the desired traits of the parents in the new generation. There are a number of compound morphs that are quite affordable like the Blizzards and the Opals that basically look pink and purple with faint colored saddles on them. Blizzards are produced by breeding an amelanistic with a charcoal, and Opals are produced by making an amelanistic mate with a lavender.

However, Granite and Phantom compound morphs only start at $100. Granites have a light purple appearance with dark purple saddles edged in thick black that gives a bold look to the snake. Phantom Sunkissed morphs, which are available at $500, are light gray with darker gray saddles and yellow splotches all over their body. On the other hand, Masque Phantoms, that mostly radiate a black ninja-like appearance, are available at $250.

Palmetto and Scaleless mutation morphs are by far some of the most expensive morphs out there that start at $100 and can be as pricey as $2000. Palmetto corn snakes are super adorable with white to pink look, adorned with small yellow or orange spots all over. Scaleless corn snakes were first produced by breeding a Gray Rat Snake with a corn snake and it is extremely rare. These snakes have only a few scales on their body and have a leathery look.

Hybrids raise the fascination and intrigue of many. They are the result of breeding snakes of two different genera together. Take the Korndurans, for instance, where a Honduran milk snake has been crossbred with a corn snake. These snakes look a lot like the common corn snakes with bright orange and yellow hues. Brook corn snakes have a similar appearance.

Price Range (Low To High) Of Different Compound Morphs And Hybrids

Morph Name	Price ($)	Morph Name	Price ($)
Compound Morph		Phantom	250 to 500
Ghost	50-70	Granite	115 to 1000
Opal	70 to 100	Hybrid
Blizzard	70 to 100
Butter	70-100	Creamsicle	70-100
Pewter	80 to 100	Jungle	100 to 350
Snow	100-150	Kornduran	225 to 325
Phantom	100+	Brook corn	350 to 400
Fire	150-200	Mutation
Plasma	200+	Palmetto	100 to 1500
Avalanche	200 to 400	Scaleless	150 to 1100

Factors That Affect Prices Of Corn Snakes

You may be wondering what makes prices of certain corn snake morphs so high? There are certain variables depending on which the prices fluctuate. Let’s get acquainted with some.

• Color: Corn snake morphs that look quite different from the common corn snakes, like the pink and the black ones, are always high in demand. Orange and yellow hues are much cheaper.
• Pattern: Saddles on a corn snake are a part of their identity. However, if the saddle color is purple instead of the usual yellow or orange, and if there are stripes or motley patterns on the snake, people are inclined to buy them more. Higher the demand, higher the price.
• Age: All ages of corn snakes are equally in demand. People who have never dealt with snakes before go for hatchlings or pre-adults that cost between $40 and $100.
• Gender: Females cost more than males. For example, a male Palmetto costs between $300 and $400, while a female is usually available at $550 or more.
• Availability: Palmetto, Scaleless, hybrids, and certain other morphs that look nothing like the classic corn snakes are less available. Breedings do not always result as per expectations.
• Breeder/Seller: Always buy or adopt a snake from a trusted seller or breeder. Remember, not all breeders keep the health and well-being of the snake in mind.

How Much Does It Cost To Take Care Of Corn Snakes?

Before you bring your new pet home, there will be certain things that you need to take care of. There must be an enclosure, with proper heating and humidity maintenance equipment, and sufficient food supply. This preparation will incur significant expenses. Let’s take a look.

Corn Snake Habitat

Housing of the new corn snake is crucial. The enclosure and its internal environment should be such that it mimics the natural habitat of the snake in question. You may have to spend a good amount on preparing a shelter for your corn, but consider this as an investment.

• Enclosure: A 10-20 gallon tank costs between $40 and $100; larger tanks of 30 and 40 gallon cost between $100 and $300. Glass tanks are the best but cost a little more from $40 to $300. Plastic enclosures can be bought within $20.
• Ornaments: Decorate the terrarium with plants, caves and bridges within $30 and $100.
• Substrate: Layers of substrate should be at least 3 inches thick. Good quality hemp, aspen or cypress bedding is affordable within $60 and $100.
• Heating: It is crucial and cannot be compromised with. Heat lamps, heat mats, panels, space heaters, under-tank heating pads all are affordable within $15 and $100. A thermometer price falls within the range of $10 and $20.
• Humidity: Can be maintained with a water bowl or an automatic misting system that costs between $10 and $50. A hygrometer can be afforded within $10 and $20.
• Lighting: A UVB bulb at a price range of $20 to $30 would suffice.
• Tank cleaning: Chemical cleaners are available between $10 and $20. If you prefer wipes for cleaning purposes, they can be bought for $7 and $10. Shovels and brooms can be purchased within $10 and $30.
• Others: Small tit-bits that are also quite important like sphagnum moss, dry hides, wire mesh and clips can be bought within $5 and $40.

Food Supplies

In a month, you may need to spend a little more than $10 to $20 on purchasing food for your snake pet, which may amount to $100 to $200 per year. Overfeeding corn snakes is always discouraged. Hatchlings should be fed once per week, and adults once every 14 days.

• Pinky Mice: $2 to $3 (for hatchlings)
• Fuzzy Mice: $5 to $12 (for pre-adults and adults)

Medical Care

Medical emergencies may happen anytime. Your snake may suffer jaw injuries, mite infection, and egg-laying mother snakes may experience egg-coagulation. In any case, a regular monthly checkup is very important for your pet corn snake. You may need to spend $50 to $100/month. For emergencies, you need to be ready with a compensation of $800 to $1200.

• Vet Visit: $50 to $100
• Parasite Treatment: $10 to $40
• Lab Work/Testing: $100
• X Ray/ Antibiotics: $50 to $200
• Per Month Expense For A Corn Snake

Every month, you may need to replenish your food supplies and take your corn snake to the vet for a health check-up. It may incur you a minimum amount of $120 to $150 per month.

FAQ

Snake lovers and enthusiasts who are looking to adopt a corn snake in the near future, may have more questions regarding the cost of purchasing and keeping one. Here are some FAQs to help you in making a better purchase decision.

Q: How can I cut back on costs?

Ans: You may buy a corn snake from a breeder or adopt one from a shelter– it will cost you next to nothing. You may also decide to buy food in bulk and make the ornaments of the tank yourself with rubber or organic materials. You can collect leaves and grass from your garden but, in that case, you would need to sterilize them. Boiling and baking the items help.

Q: What is the price range for a common corn snake?

Ans: A common corn snake is available for $20 to $200.

Q: Which is the cheapest and the most expensive morph of corn snake?

Ans: The morphs that look a lot like the common corn snakes, like the Okeetees, are the cheapest. Currently, the most expensive ones are the Scaleless and Palmetto morphs.

Thoughts

So, how much is a corn snake? The expenses incurred in the first month would be a little high since you would have to get the enclosure and everything in it ready. However, the cost in the consecutive months would fall drastically low.

The regular, wild-type corn snakes are highly affordable and you will get yourself a healthy one within $50. However, it is the morphs, their colors and patterns that increase the price. Demand and spot availability are other factors. However, with a little calculation, you can get yourself a beautiful corn snake morph without breaking the bank.