Cage sizes?

[SnowFoxx]

I have a young corn who I want to buy a new cage for soon. My size choices are (in inches):

36lx24dx18h
36lx24dx12h
48lx24dx18h
48lx24dx12h

So, basically, I can choose 3 or four feet long and 12 or 18 inches high. The 18 inch high cages come with a shelf to make use of the height. My questions are these. If I buy a 3ft cage, should I get the taller cage for the extra space? Will an adult corn use the space, or are they not climbers at that age? Should I go for the longer cage so he can stretch out? Does he need the extra six inches of height with a longer cage? I'm having a really hard time deciding what size to buy. My little guy climbs his fake tree sometimes, but so did my BP wen she was a baby, and she grew out of it. Will he?

Little help, please!

- Victoria:w

[Vanan]

As long as your corn isn't a tiny baby, I'd say go with the 4'x2'x18". Throw a branch leading up to the shelf and they'll make use of all the space. Nice length for stretching, and height for exercise. Pretty active snakes corns are. Although if you're housing a hatchling, then it's probably fare better in a smaller tank like a 10-15gal. Wasn't too clear how big your corn is.

[SnowFoxx]

He's a hatchling now, but since I'm not too sure how fast he'll reach adult size, I'm already planning the purchase of an adult sized cage. He's a big boy right now (14 inches, 6 grams at two months old) so maybe he'll get to adult size faster than usual?

- Victoria:w

[J_Riley]

That depends on how you feed him.

I wouldn't be in a rush to plunk him into the cage (4'x2') until he's at least 24" long. Until then, he'll be more comfortable (and less stressed) in a smaller enclosure, like a 20 long, which is roughly 30"x 12".

My corn snake is 2.5 years old and 4' and he still climbs regularly.