??? regarding set-up

So, we've decided to get a corn snake! I've been reading this forum and getting lots of great information. I'm so excited!!! I've already picked out a snake, I just have to get set up for him, hopefully today or tomorrow. My 13 yo and 5 yo sons are sooooo excited, they can't believe mom's getting them a snake! LOL But don't worry, this is *my* snake, under my care, but I will share him.

I am converting a 20 gallon aquarium for his home. I've noticed that they are called "vivs", why? The guy that I talked to at the pet store seemed very knowledgeable and told me about all the technical stuff, and I've been glad to see most of his info backed up here. I'm feeling pretty good about this. But I do have a couple questions that I could use some help with . . .

1. I'll be getting a screen cover and a lock for the top of the tank. But can I set the hood over it? I have 2 reasons I want to do that, my cats sit on top of the tank sometimes and I'd like the reinforcement and also for the light. I am worried about ventilation and that the light would bother the snake. The back of the hood is open, and I can take the door off so it would basically just be the frame of the hood and the light strip. Any thoughts?

2. The guy at the store said my baby is eating 1 pinky a week. He told me how old he is but I forget. He said the best way to prevent snake bites is for the snake not to associate my hand with food and so to feed him in a paper bag. Is this a good idea? Any other thoughts on this?

Thanks for any help! I'm sure I'll have more questions. If I'm going to do this I want to do it right.

Welcome to the forum. :wavey:

If you get the thicker screen top (not like window screen but heavier gauge) you wouldn't have to worry about using the hood. They cost a little more then the screen ones but they are a lot stronger and kitty could walk on it without falling through.

Feeding in a paper bag would work but I'd use a plastic container (don't forget the holes in the lid for air) so escapes don't accidentally happen.

Welcome!

Like DAND, I also feed in a seperate container as well. I never feed my snakes in their cage.

Either screen would be fine. As for the light/ventilation, both should be fine. I assume that it is a regular fish tank light? Is it the bulb kind or UV type? Both are ok even though corns don't need the UV light. Just make sure you turn off the "white" light at night so he gets the proper night time adjustment.

Good luck with the new one. What kind of corn is it?

How/Dand: I agree with the idea of feeding in a separate container. However, what about just after the 3-4 acclimation period and the first 3 weeks of feeding? Since handling the corn is ill-advised, is it ok to just feed the corn on a plate in the viv during the "stressful" period?

bah14 said:

How/Dand: I agree with the idea of feeding in a separate container. However, what about just after the 3-4 acclimation period and the first 3 weeks of feeding? Since handling the corn is ill-advised, is it ok to just feed the corn on a plate in the viv during the "stressful" period?

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I think you can. However be careful though. WHat do you use for a substrate? I use Aspen and I tried feeding once in my viv. The corn moved all over the place and almost got a piece of the aspen in his mouth. That was the last time, and only time, I fed in the viv.

I have always fed Houdini in his viv...

I put a tupperware container in about 12"x12"x5" (lxwxh) he gets right in the container and has never taken the mouse out. I wouldn't aadvise feeding in the tank but before I found this site I had already done this for 2 yrs. He usually sleeps in the container for awhile after he eats. He has never bit me and never mistaken me for food. He knows when I put this container in its feeding time. I have started to do this with my new corn also. With the same size tupperware container and she's so little that she stays in also. And again when I put the container in she knows its feeding time.

How, i sure repti bark and he's just a lil' bugger (d.o.b.=6/21/04). Perhaps just a small tupperware with a pink, placed inside this tank will do. i just dont feel comforable pick him up after only 4 days. I dont want to cause any extra stress for him. With my huge tank, i'm giving him as much time as possible to acclimate to his new surroundings.

Thanks for all the help! The top I'm getting is heavier than window screen, and the light is just a regular flourescent (no heat) aquarium hood light so I think I'll leave it on and turn the light on during the day so we can see our lil' baby, since the tank sits in a dark corner.

I will probably feed him in a paper bag since that is what he is used to. I was instructed to staple it shut so he won't escape. How long would I leave him? Oh, I might switch to a plastic container so I can see if he's done! Or should I just leave him a while anyway? Hmmmm . . .

Another question . . . should we not handle him at first? And if so, for how long?

peep_827 said:

Another question . . . should we not handle him at first? And if so, for how long?

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I would wait at least 4-5 days to let him settle in...