Corn Snake Feeding Chart by Weight
Last updated: · Reviewed against sources listed below
This corn snake feeding chart shows what size mouse to feed a corn snake and how often, based on weight. Young snakes eat prey weighing 10–15% of their body weight every 5–10 days, while adults eat prey weighing 5–10% of their body weight about every 2 weeks.
Your snake’s feeding plan
- Prey weight
- Prey size
- Feed every
- Prey per month
This is the same calculator as our snake feeding calculator, preset for corn snakes.
Corn Snake feeding chart
Weigh your snake in grams, find its row, and pick the mouse size whose weight falls inside the prey range.
| Snake weight | Prey weight | Typical prey size | Feed every |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchling 6–50 g | 10–15% of body weight about 1–8 g (0.04–0.28 oz)1–8 g | pinky mouse → hopper mouse | 5–7 days |
| Juvenile 50–200 g | 10–15% of body weight about 5–30 g (0.2–1.1 oz)5–30 g | fuzzy mouse → adult mouse | 7–10 days |
| Sub-adult 200–400 g | 10–12% of body weight about 20–48 g (0.7–1.7 oz)20–48 g | adult mouse → two mice or a small rat | 10–14 days |
| Adult 400 g and up | 5–10% of body weight about 20–90 g (0.7–3.2 oz)20–90 g | adult mouse → two mice or a small rat | 14 days |
What size mouse for a corn snake?
Choose prey that weighs about 10–15% of your snake’s body weight while it is growing, and 5–10% once it is an adult. The prey should be about as wide as, or slightly wider than, the widest part of your snake’s body. A small bump after eating is normal; a very large bulge means the meal was too big.
For example, a 10 g hatchling eats a prey item of about 1–2 g, which is a small pinky mouse. A 100 g juvenile eats about 10–15 g, a hopper or weaned mouse. A 500 g adult eats about 25–50 g, an adult or jumbo mouse. Size names differ between suppliers, so always check the weight in grams on the package.
If the right weight falls between two sizes, two smaller mice offered one after the other are fine, as long as their combined weight stays in the range. Large adult corn snakes can also take small rats.
How often to feed a corn snake
Hatchlings under about 50 g eat every 5–7 days. Juveniles up to about 200 g eat every 7–10 days. Sub-adults up to about 400 g eat every 10–14 days, and adults eat about every 14 days. Veterinary guides describe adults eating every one to two weeks, and every two weeks keeps most adults at a steady weight.
Weigh your snake every two to four weeks before a meal. A growing snake should gain steadily; an adult should hold its weight. Our calculator adjusts both the prey size and the interval if you mark your snake as underweight or overweight.
Frozen-thawed feeding step by step
- Thaw the mouse in the fridge overnight, or in a sealed bag in cool water.
- Warm it in a sealed bag in warm water until it feels about body temperature. Never microwave prey.
- Offer it with long tongs, head first, and wiggle it gently to trigger a strike.
- Leave your snake alone to eat, and do not handle it for at least 48 hours afterward.
Most corn snakes eat readily at dusk, when they are naturally most active. If yours ignores the mouse, remove it after an hour, wait a few days and try again. Never refreeze thawed prey.
Why is my corn snake not eating?
The most common reasons are an upcoming shed (dull skin and cloudy, bluish eyes), a recent move to a new home, temperatures that are too low, and a lack of hides. Some adults also eat less in late fall and winter, when wild corn snakes slow down.
Check the warm end with a digital thermometer, make sure there is a snug hide at each end, and try again a few days after a shed. Offering at dusk, warming the mouse a little more, or trying a different size often helps.
See a reptile vet if your corn snake loses more than about 10% of its body weight, regurgitates more than once, or refuses food for several weeks while also showing signs such as wheezing, mucus at the mouth or nose, swelling, or stuck shed around the eyes.
What corn snakes can and can’t eat
Good foods
- Frozen-thawed mice (main food at every age)
- Pinky mice for hatchlings
- Small frozen-thawed rats for large adults
- Prey about as wide as the widest part of the snake
Avoid
- Live prey left unattended
- Prey much wider than the snake’s body
- Microwaved or partly thawed prey
- Wild-caught rodents (parasites, poisons)
- Insects, eggs or meat pieces as a main diet
Frequently asked questions
How long can a corn snake go without eating?
A healthy adult corn snake can go several weeks without food, especially during a shed or in winter, without losing much weight. Hatchlings have much smaller reserves and should not fast for long. Weigh your snake during any fast; if it loses more than about 10% of its body weight, see a reptile vet.
Can I feed my corn snake two mice at once?
Yes. If one mouse is too small and the next size up is too big, two smaller mice offered one after the other are fine. Their combined weight should stay within the prey range for your snake’s weight. Do not handle your snake for at least 48 hours after the meal.
Should I feed my corn snake in its enclosure?
Most keepers now feed in the enclosure. Moving a snake to a separate box adds handling and stress around mealtime. Using tongs every time teaches your snake that tongs, not hands, mean food, which makes feeding safe wherever it happens.
Sources
- PetMD — Corn Snake Care Sheet (written by a veterinarian)
- RSPCA — How to Care for a Corn Snake
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Snakes: Feeding
- ReptiFiles — Corn Snake Food
- LafeberVet — Nutritional Support in Reptiles
- RodentPro — Guide to Frozen Feeder Mouse Sizes
Where sources disagree we show the range they share. See our sources and methodology for how every number is checked.