The lavender corn snake is a stunning and amazing reptile that gains the huge attention of snake lovers. Due to its beautiful colouration and calm and gentle nature, it’s a great choice for both beginners and experienced reptile keepers. In this article, we describe each and everything about this captivating snake, from its origins to its care requirements and care sheet.
The History of Lavender Corn Snake
The story of the Lavender Corn Snake begins with the fascinating world of snake breeding. Corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) are native to the southeastern United States and are known for their friendly nature and ease of care. The lavender morph is a result of selective breeding, which started gaining attention in the 1980s.
This particular morph was created by breeders who wanted to produce a snake with a soft, pastel-like colouration. The Lavender Corn Snake gets its name from the light purple, or lavender, hue that covers its body.
This beautiful colour is the result of a recessive gene that alters the normal pigmentation of the snake. Over the years, this morph has become highly sought after, not just for its colour but also for its calm and easygoing nature.
Taxonomy and Classification
The lavender corn snake is a beautiful morph of the corn snake, which belongs to a specific group within the animal kingdom. Corn Snake is a specific colour variation of the Corn Snake, which is a non-venomous snake belonging to the Colubridae family. It’s known for its striking lavender hue, making it a favourite among reptile lovers.
Classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Colubridae |
| Genus | Pantherophis |
| Species | Pantherophis guttata |
Lavender Corn Snake Characteristics
Lavender Corn Snake Appearance: How does the Lavender Corn Snake look? The lavender corn snake is known for its beautiful and unique colour appearance. Their body is a soft, pale purple colour with darker purple or grayish spots on its back. They are often described as “lavender,” which gives the snake its name. Their belly is white and light gray, which contrasts nicely with the lavender colour on it’s back. A lavender snake has very attractive eyes. Their eyes are usually reddish or pinkish, which makes them more eye-catching.
Size: The length of lavender corn is usually between 3 and 5 feet (90 to 150 cm). But some individuals may reach 4 feet (120 cm) in length. Despite their length, they are relatively slender, making them easy to handle. Their size is very good and manageable to keep them as a pet.
Weight: The lavender corn snake usually weighs between 1 and 2 pounds (about 450 to 900 grams) when fully grown. Their weight can vary depending on their size, diet, and overall health. They are generally lightweight and easy to handle, which is one of the reasons they are popular pets.
Behaviour: The Lavender Corn Snake is known for its calm and friendly behaviour, which makes them a great pet, especially for beginners. They are non-aggressive.
They are primarily nocturnal, like ball python morphs, meaning they are more active during the evening and night. When they feel threatened, like most corn snakes, they might rattle their tails or try to escape. But they usually settle down quickly once they realise there’s no danger.
Lifespan: Like the palmetto snake and Okeetee corn snake, the Lanender corn snake’s lifetime is about 15 to 20 years, with some even reaching up to 25 years. Proper care, including a healthy diet, a suitable habitat, and regular check-ups, can help them live a long and healthy life.
Lavender Corn Snake Breeding and Reproduction
Like the Albino corn snake, in the lavender corn snake, the process of breeding starts in spring from March to May after the process of brumation. When the breeding season starts, a male Lavender Corn Snake is introduced to a female.
The male Lavender snake shows interest by flicking his tongue and rubbing against the female Lavender snake. If the female snake is ready to mate, they will breed, which can take a few hours.
Egg-Laying and Incubation
The female carries the eggs inside their body about 4 to 6 weeks after mating. After that time, she needs a warm, humid, and hidden spot like under leaves or in a burrow to lay her eggs. And then she laid a clutch of 10 to 30 eggs. Once the eggs are laid, the female’s job is done—she doesn’t care for the eggs any further.
The eggs then incubate on their own for about 60 to 65 days. When the baby Corn Snakes are ready to hatch, they use a special tooth to break out of their eggshells. These baby snakes are fully independent from birth and will start hunting small prey, like babies, shortly after hatching.
Lavender Corn Snake Care Sheet
Caring for a lavender corn snake is very simple and easy, but there are some essential things you need to know to ensure your snake stays healthy and happy.
Housing
For a baby Lavender corn snake, a 20-gallon tank is required. As the Lanvender snake grows, they need a 40-gallon or larger tank. Use aspen shavings, cypress mulch, or paper towels as substrate. Avoid pine or cedar, as they can be harmful to your snake.
They don’t require special UV lighting, but a day/night cycle is beneficial. Provide at least two hide spots in the enclosure; one is warm and the other is cold.
Temperature and humidity
Maintaining the right temperature is a very important thing for your lavender corn snake health. Moreover, the warm side of the enclosure should be kept at 85°F (29°C), while the cool side should be 75°F (21-24°C). Use an under-tank heater or heat lamp to provide heat.
However, the humidity level in the enclosure should be kept around 40–50%. This humidity level is very important for the lavender corn snake shedding process and overall health.
Feeding
They are carnivorous and primarily feed on rodents. Juvenile lavender snakes fed pinky mice or fuzzy mice. While adult lavender snakes fed adult mice or small rats. To avoid digestive issues, the size of the prey should be appropriate according to the snake’s size. Fed juvenile Lavender corn snake every 5-7 days and adult every 7-10 days.
Handling
When you pick up your lavender corn snake, do it gently and calmly. Support its whole body and move slowly to avoid scaring it. Spend some time handling your snake often to help it get used to you. But don’t handle it too much at once, as this can make them stressful.
Shedding
Lavender Corn Snakes, like all snakes, shed their skin as they grow. This process, known as ecdysis, happens regularly throughout their lives. Young snakes shed their skin every 4-6 weeks, while adult lavender sheds every 6-12 weeks. Before shedding, the lavender corn snake’s skin will look dull, and its eyes may turn cloudy or blue.
During the process of shedding, they rub their bodies against rough surfaces to help peel off the old skin. Once they shed their old skin, their new skin will be bright and clear. Providing a humid hide or keeping the humidity levels right in their enclosure helps them to shed their skin properly.
Health Maintenance
To keep your snake healthy, a regular Checkup is a very important thing. Make sure their enclosure is clean and their size is accordingly lavender corn snake length. Check the temperature and feeding behaviour as we mentioned above.
Regularly check your snake for signs of health issues, such as loss of appetite, lethargy, abnormal behaviour, changes in feces, difficulty breathing, skin parasites, abnormal swelling, eye issues, respiratory issues, weight loss, swelling or lumps, and discharge from the mouth or nose. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult with a vet.
FAQ’s
What is the average cost of a lavender corn snake?
The price of a lavender corn snake is typically between $100 and $200. Their price can vary depending on factors like the snake’s size, age, and where you buy it.
Generally, you can find them at pet stores or from breeders, and they might cost a bit more if they are from a well-known breeder or have a particularly striking appearance.
Can I breed a lavender corn snake with other morphs?
Yes, lavender corn snakes can be bred with other corn snake morphs, leading to a variety of interesting and unique colour patterns in the offspring.
Where does the lavender Corn Snake live?
The lavender corn snake, like all corn snakes, originally comes from the southeastern United States. Corn snakes can be found in a range of natural habitats in the wild, such as meadows, woodlands, and places close to farms.
They love to live in places where they can find shelter, like under logs, rocks, or in abandoned buildings. However, the lavender corn snake is a specially bred-colour variation that you won’t find in the wild. These snakes are usually kept as pets, living in homes where their environment is carefully controlled to keep them healthy and comfortable.
Are lavender corn snakes good pets for beginners?
Yes, a lavender corn snake is a great choice for beginners to keep as a pet. As we mentioned above in their characteristics, they have a friendly, calm, and gentle nature. They don’t require too much care and are relatively low-maintenance pets. Due to this attribute, it’s a perfect choice for you if you’re new to keeping snakes.
Can lavender corn snakes be housed with other snakes?
It’s generally not a good idea to keep lavender corn snakes with snakes of the same species or different species. The reason is that, like many reptiles, they can be territorial or aggressive towards each other. Keeping them together can lead to stress, fights, or even injuries.
Sharing an enclosure can also cause stress for the snakes, which can negatively impact their behaviour. It’s better to keep them in a separate enclosure to make them secure.
Conclusion
The lavender corn is such a lovely and captivating snake to keep as a pet. Its beautiful color and calm nature make it a delightful companion for anyone interested in the world of reptiles. They aren’t attractive due to their unique colour appearance; they’re also famous because of their manageable and easy-to-care requirements. If you’re looking for a pet that’s both easy to care for and mesmerizing to observe, the lavender corn snake is an excellent choice that will bring years of enjoyment.
