Corn Snake Vs Milk Snake: All What You Need to Know
The notion of adopting a snake enthrals most pets enthusiasts. Most snakes maintained as pets are not only beautiful animals, but they also have calm and independent personalities, making them the ideal companion for many people.
However, there are many different types of snakes to pick from them. Not to mention that caring for a snake is not the same as caring for it from a food can, and they require a constant supply of warmth.
Once you can’t stop falling in love with these lovely and distinctive creatures, it’s advisable to choose the ones that are easier to care for them. If you’re starting, corn snakes or milk snakes are probably your best bets, and they are both ideal pets for first-time snake owners.
But what are the distinctions between milk and corn snakes? Milk and corn snakes are small, gentle pets with comparable lifespans, habitats, and feeds. However, they come in various colours and patterns, and corn snakes are a little easier to handle and less likely to bite.
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This article will outline the key differences between these two types of snakes and why you might want to choose one over the other. We will also provide tips for selecting the right corn snake for your needs and explain how to care for one properly. So, are you ready to learn about corn snakes vs milk snakes? Let’s get started.

Table of Contents
Corn Snake and Milk Snake
Corn snakes are the most popular pet snake in America, with more than 28 million captive-bred specimens. It makes them only second to ball pythons, which every fifth American owns a pair of even though an adult While owns one out of five.
Milk snakes are a type of viper found in North America, and they are the most common kind of snake in the United States and can be found in all 50 states. After black kingsnakes, milk snakes are the second most common type of snake in North America. Milk and corn snakes have similar habitats and diets, and few differences do remain:
Lifespan
Both types will live an average of 10-15 years or more if kept as pets. Corns tend to be slightly easier to care for, while milk is quite difficult due to its tendency to eat rats, mice and birds.
Shedding/Spaying/Neutering
Corn snakes rarely shed or need to visit a vet, and milk snakes are more prone to teeth damage due to self-grooming if kept alone for too long and eating their own young. To prevent this, you must avoid leaving the snake alone 24 hours with no food in sight (or at least not feeding rodents).
Basic Appearance and Behavior
“Corn snakes are more docile than milk snakes. They can be kept in an aquarium as a pet, while they cannot tolerate the cold temperatures of your bedroom.” -Amazon Customer.
Both species look similar when young, but corn’s colour is darker and stays throughout their lives. Milk snake babies become yellow after about six months, making it easier for owners to tell them apart because even juveniles look dull. While not precisely miniature, corn snakes are generally around 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) in length, while milk bears are almost a foot long.
Large specimens may be found up to 7 feet or so and 170 pounds – if you ever find one as big, let me know, and I’ll post it! Common colours for each species would have their names written backwards.
Habitat
Milk snakes are more of a “chameleon” than corn snakes, and they can quickly adapt to a wide variety of habitats and do well in captivity. In the wild, corn snakes prefer to live in dense vegetation, and they enjoy being able to get away from predators in the tall grass. While they can be kept outdoors without problems, some breeders report “early” shedding, which may result in excessive hairball problems.
Diet
Milk snakes feed on small rodents, lizards, and even other snakes in the wild. In captivity, they’ll eat just about anything you give them: mice, rats, hamsters and gerbils; crickets; super worms; waxworms; appropriately sized mealworms and locusts to skip over the mucus layer; crickets, super worms and houseflies should they be fed by mistake. Dry dog food (anything but “cat food”) is also suitable for snakes that don’t eat much in captivity.
Housing
Milk snakes need plenty of room – not only will you have an easier time with them if you’ve got a lot of snake space, but their inhabitants can get big and tough to handle. Adult milk will sleep in the same spot should you put it inside a tank – or on the bottom.
Because milk needs plenty of space and long necks aren’t exactly friendly with tanks, consider keeping mine outside their temporary home, which is why these are often seen living as free-living snakes around people’s homes.
Colours and Morphs
Corn snakes are light brown to dark brown with darker markings on their back. Their pattern is relatively simple and can be broken down into three sections: the head, the neck, and the rest of their body.
The head is usually a lighter shade of brown or tan than the neck and back, with a few small dark spots on top. Most of their head is covered in neon pink scales. Beware: They can change colour, so it’s essential only to use those you know are safely adult-coloured before implanting them. Beautiful adults make for better pets! An abnormally coloured corn snake may be sick or have something wrong with its system; long term problems from such an event will be challenging to treat.
Corn snakes also come in a mysterious new morph called ghost morph that was recently discovered. Ghost-morphs are so rare these days that I think people who have them throw out their hatchlings – but if you ever find one? It’s yours, and the best time to get it is as soon as possible!
Size
The milk snake is a slightly larger snake that averages about 3 feet long with a 2-3 foot body. We can find the common milk snake in most regions of the United States.
The common snake has darker, almost black markings on its body with lighter bands running along its length. It also has a pinkish belly and thin red lines running vertically down the centre of its back.
The corn snake is entirely different. The corn snake takes its name from the kernel of a plant most commonly found in the US, South and Southeast. Corn snakes are also known as saffron snakes because they are often yellow or reddish-orange with coloured specks on their backs like those you see on saffron rice dishes (or at least I am assuming this! This is far from my expertise).
Rule of Choosing Corn snake vs Milk Snake
A general rule for choosing between milk and corn snakes can be said as follows:
- If you have a small house and plan to keep your snakes under a relatively short distance, choose the milk/joint snake. Its size is often a good match for smaller spaces and requires less floor space than the corn/saffron snake. If you intend to keep them in a large enclosure or house more than two of the same species simultaneously, choose corn or saffron snakes instead.
- If you like having your pet snake to play around with, keep longer distances between these snakes of different species and choose the one which matches your space size is best. If, on the other hand, you want a fantastic looking display (ours were hatched in a container, so that’s what they came out looking like), choose saffron or corn snakes over milk/common snakes because they have somewhat more striking patterns as well as larger scales.
FAQs
Are our corn snakes and milk snakes the same?
Corn snakes and milk snakes are both members of the Colubridae family, the most prominent snake family in the world. They share several common characteristics, including the ability to shed their skin, the presence of a gallbladder, and the use of toxins to kill prey. The most significant difference between these two species is that corn snakes are typically smaller than milk snakes, which are more active at night.
How do I identify a milk snake?
There are a few things you can look for to identify a milk snake:
- Milk snakes are brightly coloured and have a distinctive banding pattern on their body.
- Milk snakes are constrictors and have enlarged, sharp teeth to bite prey.
- Milk snakes are sluggish and sluggish when handled, which signifies that they are afraid.
Are milk snakes easy to handle?
Yes, milk snakes are relatively easy to handle, especially if you know what you are doing. When taking a milk snakes, it is essential to remember that they are constrictors and should never be handled suddenly or without warning. Always hold them by the tail so that they cannot bite you. When running a milk snake, be gentle and patient, as they can be pretty defensive.
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Do milk snakes bite you?
It is difficult to answer, as it depends on the individual milk snake. Some milk snakes may bite while others may not. It is essential always to be aware of your surroundings and look for any signs that the snake might be about to bite. If you do get bitten, do not panic. Calmly remove the snake from the area and seek medical attention.
Should we get a corn snake or a milk snake?
Corn snakes are often considered the more popular choice, as they are easier to care for and are less expensive than milk snakes. They are also known for being more docile snakes, making them more suitable for those new to keeping snakes. On the other hand, milk snakes can be more active and entertaining and are known to be more challenging to tame. They also require more space than corn snakes, so milk snakes might be a better option if you are limited on space.
Ultimately, it is essential to research each snake before making a decision. You can find detailed information on the different types of snakes available online or at your local pet store. Once you have decided, be sure to get a good quality snake cage and plenty of food and water.
What kind of snakes are in the sea?
Answer: Several snakes in the sea, including anacondas, boa constrictors, and king cobras. However, the most common snake in the ocean is the common garter snake.
Can we keep a wild milk snake as a pet?
Wild milk snakes are one of the most common snake species in the United States, and they can be kept as pets with caution. While they are not venomous, they can bite if provoked, and they are not used to humans. If you are looking to acquire a wild milk snake as a pet, you will need to find one young and healthy. Once you have a healthy snake, you will need to provide it with a suitable enclosure to accommodate its size.
You will also need to provide the snake with food and water and a place to hide. The snake should be kept indoors during the winter months but can be allowed outside during the summer. You should also ensure that the snake is vaccinated against common snake diseases, such as rabies.
Summing up
There’s no denying that both the corn snake and the milk snake make excellent pets. Milk snakes are stunningly beautiful and intricate animals to behold.
Many snake owners find them fascinating pets, drawn to them by their stunning colours and intriguing personalities.
And when it comes to connecting and developing a relationship between pet and pet parent. Many snake owners state that their corn snake becomes enthusiastic when touched. And, yes, snakes can and do have emotions. These pets are long-term responsibilities that will necessitate your attention and care. So never acquire for the sake of novelty, as that rapidly fades. And don’t adopt if you won’t be able to give your pet any time. They require continuous socialization and care for their health and enrichment.
Adopt if you are serious about your commitment to these animals. And remember always to show your serpent-babies the love and attention they need. Furthermore, reading up on the subject might help you comprehend your pet’s demands.