The colorful lavender corn snake is one of the lovely morphs that people can get from the common Pantherophis guttatus species. These snakes are characterized by their pastel-like colorations and rather calm disposition making them excellent display animals. For example, in this guide, all aspects of their biology to feeding and grooming needs will be discussed to provide You with the necessary information, whether you are a beginner or a professional in Lizards keeping.
What is a Lavender Corn Snake?
Appearance and Characteristics
Lavender corn snakes have a very soft pale gray color or occasionally are called lavender corn snakes. Their saddle patterns are generally a sort of medium gray which makes a handsome contrast on the paper. Some specimens may appear as a little pinkish or peach-colored which causes them to be even more appealing.
Key features include:
- Body length: The brachiation length is 3 – 5 feet (91-152 cm) when they become adults.
- Weight: 300-900 grams
- Lifespan: 15-20 years or more that has been comes across with good maintenance.
- Eyes: Vivid red, dark burgundy, grayish-blue, or black eyes with the iris in shades of dark wine, slate grey, or deep blue.
Genetics Behind the Lavender Morph
The lavender morph is produced by a recessive mutation first developed in captivity in 1985 by breeder Rich Zuchowski. This genetic variation helps to influence the pigmentation of the snake, thus the lavender is beneficial like coloration.
| Genetic Combination | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Lavender + Lavender | 100% Lavender offspring |
| Lavender + Het Lavender | 50% Lavender, 50% Het Lavender |
| Het Lavender + Het Lavender | 25% Lavender, 50% Het Lavender, 25% Normal |
Caring for Your Lavender Corn Snake
Habitat Setup
Hence for the lavender corn snake to be healthy and happy it is pivotal to create the right environment all the time.
Enclosure Size
- Juveniles: 10-20 gallons terrarium
- Adults: 20-30 gallons terrarium
Essential Elements
- Substrate: Wood Aspen shavings or Coconut husk bedding; 2-3 inches thickness.
- Hiding spots: Minimum two hide boxes (one located on the warm side and the second one – on the cold side).
- Climbing opportunities: To investigate, branches or cork bark.
- Water dish: It’s great enough for the snake to soak in
Temperature and Lighting
It is good for the digestion of your snake and its overall welfare that you maintain a good temperature differential.
- Basking spot: 85-90°F (29-32°C)
- Cool side: 75-80°F (24-27°C)
- Night temperature: Can go as low as 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit or 21-24 degrees Celsius
Mount heat lamps, ceramic heat emitters, and under-tank heating pads to help create the right three-part temperature system. Always use a thermostat in the control of temperature.
Low-level UVB lighting, UVB lighting isn’t completely required by corn snakes, but having it is beneficial to the snake’s wellbeing and demeanor.
Humidity
The ideal humidity level should range between 40 and 50% with something more during the molting period. By using a hygrometer, you will be able to know the right humidity levels for your room.
Feeding
It also means that the food that is to be given to them is relatively very easy to prepare as it comprises pre-killed mice.
Feeding Schedule:
- Hatchlings to 3 months: Pinkie mouse 5 – 7 days.
- 3-12 months: Fuzzy mouse every 7-10 days.
- 1-2 years: Adult mouse every 10-14 days.
- Adults (2+ years): A big adult mouse every 2 weeks and three days to one week and six days respectively.
Fresh and clean water should always be availed.
Health and Wellness
Common Health Issues
While generally hardy, lavender corn snakes can face certain health issues: While generally hardy, lavender corn snakes can face certain health issues:
- Respiratory Infections
- Symptoms: Coughing, difficulty breathing, presence of cold or flu-like symptoms such as mucus around the mouth or nose, mouth breathing.
- Cause: Quite frequently because of lack of control of humidity or temperature.
- Treatment: Professional treatment which in most cases may require the administering of antibiotics.
- Mites
- Symptoms: Black granules on the skin of a snake, washing the snake too much, inability to stay still.
- Cause: Topical or external parasites that may be brought about by the materials that the animals come in contact with or the equipment used in rearing them.
- Treatment: Medical treatments of reptiles, especially for mites, proper cleaning of the enclosures
- Mouth Rot (Infectious Stomatitis)
- Symptoms: Bloating face in particular affecting the mouth area, lots of saliva, no appetite.
- Cause: Bacterial infection which may be caused by poor husbandry and or injury.
- Treatment: In most cases, the affected animals are treated with antibiotics and supportive care in the form of vet attention.
- Shedding Issues
- Symptoms: Partial molting, eye cups созmericо оf thе dаys 🙂.
- Cause: Improper humidity levels.
- Treatment: Raise the humidity level, place an abrasive surface on which the skin can be rubbed, and give a little help if required
Preventive Care
It is recommended to take a reptile for checkups to a veterinarian, ideally with a specialization in reptiles. It is recommended that people should go for check-ups at least once a year for preventive care services in case of any complications.
Breeding Lavender Corn Snake
Reproduction of lavender corn snakes may well prove to be an exciting activity for those keepers with a considerable amount of experience. Here’s a brief overview of the breeding process: Here’s a brief overview of the breeding process:
- Brumation: Lower the temperature of the snake habitat to intermediate, 50-60°F (10-15°C) for 60-90 days during winter.
- Post-Brumation: Subsequently acclimatize and feed snakes in anticipation of breeding.
- Mating: Take male to female’s enclosure during the breeding season which is early in the spring season.
- Egg-Laying: Females usually lay ten to thirty eggs and this usually occurs thirty days after the mating is complete.
- Incubation: The eggs hatch after 60- 65 days at 82 °F (28 °C).
| Stage | Duration | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Brumation | 60-90 days | 50-60°F (10-15°C) |
| Mating to Egg-Laying | ~30 days | Normal enclosure temps |
| Incubation | 60-65 days | 82°F (28°C) |
Lavender Corn Snake vs Other Morphs
The lavender corn snake with too many morphs is rather unique in regards to the color scheme. Let’s compare them to some popular morphs. Now let’s bring them to some of the most conventional morphs observed in animals:
| Lavender | Pale gray/lavender | Medium gray saddles | Subtle, ethereal appearance |
| Normal | Orange/brown | Red/brown saddles | Classic corn snake look |
| Albino | Pink/white | Red/orange saddles | Lack of black pigment |
| Snow | White | White/pink saddles | A combination of a melanistic and anerythristic |
| Okeetee | Bright orange | Bold black-bordered red saddles | High contrast pattern |
Expert Insights
We interviewed Dr. Emily Serpent, renowned herpetologist, for her thoughts on lavender corn snakes: We interviewed Dr. Emily Serpent, a renowned herpetologist, for her thoughts on lavender corn snakes:
“Lavender corn snakes are a classic example of when science meets art in the field of reptile breeding. Describing their appearance as subtle does not do justice to the beauty of these animals, and their temperament couldn’t be better for anyone who wants something other than a standard corn snake morph. From the genetic point of view, the creation of the lavender morph is a clear indication of what is possible where selective breeding is concerned and the improvement.”
FAQs Section:
Generally, yes. Because of this shade and genes which are recessive, they are usually more expensive to acquire.
No, as for their care, it is a bit the same as in the other corn snake morphs.
It happens that rather dramatic color changes do not occur and only certain nuances change.
Yes, they are calm and their care needs are not very complicated hence can be good pets for a person with little or no experience keeping fish.
Proper care for these can enable them to live up to fifteen to twenty years in captivity.
Conclusion:
Yellow/brown agitated lavender corn snakes are calm and attractive snakes, which are easy to feed and maintain and will suit any first-time snake keeper or any advanced snake keeper. Their look as a morph makes them unique from the rest of the morphs of corn snakes, although their docile attitude remains to allure the people around the globe who have an affinity towards reptiles.
It’s not like having any regular corn snake; instead, the chances of holding a lavender corn snake make you famous instantly because this wild and rare reptile is a product of genetic variation and nothing else. So if you are attracted to the pretty hue of corn snakes or if you fancy the personality of a corn snake, then having a lavender corn snake is worthwhile for any proper and responsible keeper.
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