Slowinski's corn snake (Pantherophis slowinskii)
Snakes · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Slowinski's corn snake (Pantherophis slowinskii) (origin: Louisiana, eastern Texas – wet forest). Adult size around 90–130 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Slowinski's corn snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 130×65×130 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, formerly Elaphe).
Slowinski's corn snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 18–22 °C.
Slowinski's corn snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Slowinski's corn snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Slowinski's corn snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 24–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- 32 °C
- Humidity
- 50–65 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 130×65×130 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, formerly Elaphe)
- Substrate
- Bark mulch or coco humus, a cork hide, climbing branches, a water dish
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice of a suitable size
- Feeding interval
- 1×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 90–130 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- Louisiana, eastern Texas – wet forest
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A winter rest of 8–12 weeks at 12–16 °C
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
Split from the corn snake in 2002, more muted in colour with narrower saddle blotches. Care identical to the corn snake – slightly higher humidity matches its home habitat.
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Related species
- Baird's rat snake (Pantherophis bairdi) – Beginner
- Great Plains rat snake (Pantherophis emoryi) – Beginner
- Western fox snake (Pantherophis vulpinus) – Beginner
- Corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) – Beginner
- Eastern rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) – Beginner
- Black rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus) – Intermediate
- Texas rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri) – Intermediate
- Russian rat snake (Elaphe schrenckii) – Beginner
What you need to start
To keep Slowinski's corn snake (Pantherophis slowinskii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 130×65×130 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, formerly Elaphe)), substrate (Bark mulch or coco humus, a cork hide, climbing branches, a water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://cnah.org/taxon.aspx?taxon=Pantherophis_slowinskii, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantherophis_slowinskii, https://herpsofarkansas.com/old/?n=Snake.PantherophisSlowinskii
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).