New to Herptology

Hi I'm new to this board as well as snakeing-owning (although not entirely new to snake-keeping). I used to look after snakes at a science museum for kids, although it was mostly handling the larger snakes for small kids and changeing water. So this is the first time I've had my own snake and everything that goes with it... Anyway, I just wanted to ask for general advice or tips to make sure I'm doing everything right. I have an 8 month old Amel cornsnake, I bought him 2 days ago (from a local breeder). He's heathy, frisky, a little aggressive at first but now he's calm. He spends most of his time hideing in the substrate (aspen shaveings) but from what I've read this is normal for a new environment. I also read the long thread about shy snakes Anyway, I'm wondering how soon, how much, and how often I should handle him. I love snakes and I'm afraid I'll wear him out if I handle him too much.

Oh, and his name's Amelle. Not very original, but =^_^=

Welcome to the board! There's lots of great experts here to help. I will be the first to recommend you get Kathy Love's book, The Cornsnake Manual. It has every question answered that you will ever think of. Usually it is recommended that you leave the snake alone for at least a few days to get used to it's new home. After that, you could start handling it daily (except after feeding) for whatever your snake seems to tolerate. Usually about 10 minutes at a time for a while, and then start increasing the time. I didn't know anything when I got mine, and didn't have the Manual for reference. I held my new snake all the way home, held her everyday after that, and she still fed for me the third day I had her. I got lucky to have such a laid back girl!! You'll have to just kind of base it on your snake's personality. Do you have a hide for the snake. They usually like to have a place they can go to get away from the view of people. It's also recommended that the tank have a cool side, and a warm side. Usually the gradient is from 70-84 degrees. An under the tank heater works well for them, and gives them a warm spot to digest on.

I got my 03 normal corn (I think) last Saturday, so I'm just starting to handle her. I can't keep her out very long yet because she gets pretty nervous. It's easy to tell when she's getting too stressed because she starts moving fast and "jumping" (getting startled). When she hasn't calmed down after a minute or two I let her back in the cage. She's pretty shy, she did some exploring her first and second day in the cage and now she's just been migrating back and forth beween hides.

Welcome to the board, and congratulations on owning your first snake.

As has been said, Kathy Love's book is a great source of information and there are lots of people here to help out if you need to know more,

Skye

Thanks for the book recommendation, I've been wondering which one to get.

I have an undertank heater and the temperature on one end is stable at 76 at the cool end and the air temp is 78/79 at the warm end although the thermometer doesn't measure the temperature of the bedding very well (it's warmer under the shavings). He's got a big water bowl and a hide box and an inch of shavings so he usually prefers to sleep under the hidebox in the shavings. He ate yesterday. At the pet store he was really jumpy but he's calmed down a lot and will let me pet him in the tank. He comes out at night when I turn the lights out and tries to escape

Gryffydh said:

the temperature on one end is stable at 76 at the cool end and the air temp is 78/79 at the warm end

Click to expand...

Gryffydh,

I'm not sure if the above was a typo or not, but you're going to need a broader thermal gradient than 3 degrees. The warm side of the cage should be in the mid. to upper 80's.


Cheers,
Jason

I know, it's crazy, which is why I suspect that the thermometer isn't reading the temperature of the substrate very well. Or should the air temp be in the 80's as well? The thermometer is one of those sticky bars with a colored liquid crystal range. It's about 2 inches above the floor. And it says 78/79. But if I put my hand under the substrate, it's significantly warmer than the other side. Is my undertank heater not working? Or the thermometer? Or what?

Another question: natural sunlight? Direct sunlight? I have the tank on my desk right now which doesn't get direct sunlight, or much at all after 11:30 AM. Should I move it closer to the window?

direct sunlight can bake your snake ive heard ( so ive heard )

Yes, direct sunlight can overheat your snake.