A “normal” corn snake can typically be purchased for around $25 in the US. Morphs (non-wild type colors and patterns) tend to be more expensive from that point.



When buying a corn snake, it’s always best to purchase from a breeder than from a pet store, as you’re more likely to get a healthy animal from the former. Better yet, adopt a corn snake from a rescue or your local classifieds — corn snakes are severely overbred, so buying a “used” reptile can help reduce demand and discourage unnecessary breeding.



Don’t commit to buying the snake before you’ve had a chance to see and handle it. As it’s in your hands, look for:



• Scars
• Missing scales
• Retained shed (tip of tail and eye caps)
• Mites (tiny black dots, lifted scales)
• Clear mouth and nostrils (bubbles/blockage may indicate RI)
• Breathing (wheezing or clicking?)
• Muscle tone (should feel strong and muscular, if you hold it halfway down body and let hang, should be strong enough to lift head and climb back onto hand)
• Weight/shape (should not be able to see spine (too skinny) or have fat “hips” (sign of obesity)
• Vent (old poo? Mites? Swelling?)
• Spine, visual and tactile check (looking for kinks/deformities)



Also get as much information from the breeder/previous owner as possible:

• Morph, known het traits
• Sex
• Hatch date
• Feeding habits (live vs frozen thawed, prey size, mice vs rats, etc.)
• Last feed
• Temperament
• Previous health issues
• Previous sheds/shed issues
• Last shed date



If you decide to buy the animal, ask the seller not to feed it prior to pick-up. This will prevent any possible regurgitation from relocation stress.



Breeders

• Crystal Colubrids