housing of multiple corn snakes

Question
Dear Donna,
I have owned a bearded dragon in the past but now want to get a corn snake. the problem is so does my brother. I need to know if i can house 2 corn snakes in the same tank. I already have a 50 gallon tank and the supplies for it but is it possible. if so do they need to be the same kind? and what genders?

Answer
I'm afraid not.  Snakes should always be housed individually, except for brief periods while they are breeding.  Cannibalism is documented in most species of snakes.  Even if they don't eat one another, they will vie for dominance and compete for the best basking and hiding area, causing stress.

I personally learned my lesson about corn snakes when I had 1 corn snake hatchling more than I had empty bins.  I put two of them together, figuring that since they were very young and hadn't started feeding yet, they would be ok for a few days.  One shed out before I expected, and promptly ate the other.

A 50 gallon tank is more than a corn snake really requires, and you could keep them in something as small as a 20 gallon long.  Your best option, however, is to get a 'low budget' setup for the second snake, using a clear plastic bin as a cage.

You can find instructions on my site at http://www.EclipseExotics.com  Look on the right hand bar for the 'Ball Python Budget Care Sheet'.  Ball pythons and corn snakes have similar care requirements, and this care sheet will enable you to set up a corn snake for well under $100, providing not just adequate care, but superior care to most pet store advocated setups.

Remember that these are long-lived animals, and you need to be patient and get your setup put together and stable before you bring the animal home.  Take your time searching first for a good local breeder, or a local expo.  If you don't find one, check local reptile rescues, and check online breeders.  Be willing to pay more for a well-started snake with records, ordered online (the snake will cost much less than it would in a pet store, but shipping costs are usually over $50 alone).  Pet stores should be your last choice, as they have no background on the snakes they sell, and there is no way to be sure the snakes are healthy or feeding well.