Corn snakes are an excellent choice as a first time reptile beginner. Pet corn snakes are generally docile, relatively easy to care for, and do not get too large. They are excellent escape artists, make sure their cage is secure. Corn snakes reach a mature size of 3-5 feet (occasionally up to 6 feet) They can live around 15-20 years, sometimes longer.When choosing a snake, a captive bred specimen is the best choice and shouldn’t be too difficult to find since corn snakes breed fairly readily in captivity. Look for a snake that is well fleshed with clear eyes, no cuts or scrapes, no signs of mites or ticks, a clean vent, and one that is alert and flicking its tongue.