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Cornsnake - Growth chart

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14K views 12 replies 3 participants last post by  Artaktos  
#1 ·
Hello,

I have been looking on the forum and online, but I need help finding a proper growth chart for corn snakes. The ones I have found have contradictory information and are in imperial, which adds to the confusion. Does anyone have any idea where to find a good one?

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Didn't know such things exist as like all things individuals can grow at different rates. Most of the time weight is used rather than length, so it would be helpful if you could either provide more detail on what you are actually looking for by linking to examples, or state the reason, or what information you wish to glean form the data.

In general, most snakes reach the "average" length for the species by the end of their 4th year, with years two or three being the time of fastest growth rate (dependent on species)
 
#4 ·
Hi Malc,

I don't know if this website is reliable, but they offer this basic growth chart. I want to ensure that my snakes are growing "well", I'm an inexperienced keeper, so I'm ensuring I'm not messing up. As the snake's weight also relates to the size of the feeder, I don't want to be underfeeding or overfeeding them.

Newbie doubts, I suppose...
 
#7 ·
Also there is a very good sticky post at the top of the snake section


That has a lot more information and a better reference than that website you linked to
 
#9 ·
Is the current feed size leaving a nice bulge after being eaten?
As you're feeding 2 fluffs at a time, you may want to look at going up to the next size. Keep feeding weekly.
They're both gaining weight and eating well, so I wouldn't worry to much about their weight and length. I'd put them at the lower end of "normal" for their weight at current age, but not underweight. Can you share some pictures of them?
 
#10 ·
You can not use a shed skin as a means of measuring the snake. The skin is stretched in the process of being shed. Also part of the problem is that what one supplier class as being an adult mouse is another's medium, so its often easier to weigh the food item and use that as the identifier. You could always try the next sized food item and see how they take it. It should leave a nice rugby ball shape bulge after being consumed.

The good thing is that as the snake does most of its growth in the first three years, so what you offer and the frequency in this time isn't that concerning as it is used to grow rather than becoming obese and overweight.

As you can see from the image above the weaner rat is around twice the girth of my Bairds, yet she manages the rat without difficulty. You'll be surprised just how well they can take what seems a large meal.

Lastly, it's great to see you keep records. Keeping records is in my mind as much an important part of reptile keeping as any other aspect. Take a look at Reptiware which is an affordable PC application that can be used by a hobbyist with one or two snakes, through to a commercial breeder or retailer.