Just got my first corn snake

He or she just arrived tonight I got him from a friend who is moving, and can't bring a snake with him (he has lizards of all sorts and tree frogs too). He has had him for about 2 months, and came from the pet store before then, so I don't know how old that would make him. Anyways, this is my first snake of anykind, so any first timer tips and advice would be great! I'm used to horses!

Welcome to the forum. Browse around and read threads. If you have a specific question the search function works good for finding answers to questions already asked. That looks like a nice okeetee or normal you have(anyone correct me if im wrong about the morph).

Hey welcome to the forums! Thats a pretty nice looking normal you have there (the normals are still my favorite morph). Hmmm...helpful advice...? I think there are a few "sticky"s throughout the website with helpful info, but I'll put a few tips down to help ya till you find them.

The SEARCH function on this site is excellent, if you have a question chances are someone else has had the same problem and you can look at everyone's responses without having to wait. Its a super helpful tool.

Hmmm...oh yes, wait 48 hours after you feed the little guy before handling him again. Handling may cause regurges (you really don't want him to throw up his food...I hear it stinks like no other), and if he does regurge wait at least 10 days before feeding him again and offer smaller meal sizes.

His viv (tank) should optimally have a warm side and a cool side, preferrably with the warm side 83-65 and the cool side 73-75. Also, lots of "hides" are important to make your little one feel secure. Secure snake = friendlier snake, in my [somewhat limited] experience.

Okay, hopefully thats a decent start. Good luck with getting him/her all settled in, and feel free to ask if you have any more questions. You've come to the right place!

Once again, welcome to the forum!

Katie

Thanks I have a heating pad on one side of his tank, and a heat lamp on the other. Should they be on the same side? His water bowl is on the side the heat lamp is, I'm assuming that's how it was before I got him. Here are a few better pictures we snapped tonight, of him and his tank. What is his color? Okeetee or normal?

Welcome to the board!
Visit often, read, read, read, and read some more, and you should have a happy relationship with your little one. Very nice colors you've got there! I've had Legoless since a week before Christmas and these wonderful people have saved me hours of insanity! The "search" feature is worth MY weight in gold! *giggle*
Enjoy!

S_n_S said:

Thanks I have a heating pad on one side of his tank, and a heat lamp on the other. Should they be on the same side? His water bowl is on the side the heat lamp is, I'm assuming that's how it was before I got him. Here are a few better pictures we snapped tonight, of him and his tank. What is his color? Okeetee or normal?

Click to expand...

Whichever pattern, those are beautiful colors! I don't know how to answer the morph pattern, but I can tell your our "kids" are basically the same size. Legoless is about...6 months old...weighs about 29 grms. and is 22 inches long last time we checked.

Congrats to you!
Keep reading and checking in on this board. There is so much information here and wonderful folks, you can get any question answered and find out about any concern.
Enjoy your new snake.
You'll probably become addicted like I am. Both my snakes were gifts from a dear freind, they are both older, but I still want a baby someday that's all my own to raise and spoil.
I have a corn and a king and love them both.

S_n_S said:

Thanks I have a heating pad on one side of his tank, and a heat lamp on the other. Should they be on the same side? His water bowl is on the side the heat lamp is, I'm assuming that's how it was before I got him.

Click to expand...

May I suggest you move the heating lamp over to the warm side too. There's a danger your temps will be constant throughout the viv with no cool and warm side.

Have you checked the temps? I live in quite a cool climate (England) and I have never found the need for a heat lamp aswell as a heat mat. Corns are very hardy creatures who can withstand quite a variance in temps and humidity, but you should aim for the temps already posted in this thread.

Hope this helps....

Welcome to the forums, and congrats on your new friend. :cheers: It looks to be a gorgeous little normal. Your viv looks nice and cozy, I'm sure he/she will enjoy it. The only thing is checking your temps and moving the heat lamp, as Arkwright stated, temps too high can cause stress and regurges as easily as temps too low. Usually the water bow is either on the cool side or the middle, but if you're having shedding problems, placing it on the warm side can help up your humidity.

The search function is a wonderful tool, and we're always glad to answer questions. It's also a great idea to get Kathy & Bill Love's "Corn Snake Manual", or their new updated version "Cornsnakes, The Comprehensive Owner's Guide". Both are invaluable resources to any corn owner. :wavey:

Thanks all I am going to go get him a meal and a thermometer tonight