I got my snake

Finally I got my first snake
I went to a fair today and got a female okeetee (I think that how it is spelled thats how they spelled it)
I got her for 10$ I think she is really pretty. I will put a pic of her in the gallery when my computer that downloads that pics is working.
I got her in a 10 gallon tank with two hides.
is newspaper pieces ok for bedding, I have an undertank heater.
Is it really bad that it doesn't get warm for a while. It was cold in the car and it is taking a while for the tank to heat up.
well I hope everything goes well. I'm so glad I got a snake.
Now I have to figure what I'm going to call her.

Congrats on your okeetee - look forward to the pics

$10 is pretty cheap !!!

A 10 gallon tank with 2 hides is fine for a small snake. After she's about 2 foot long, upgrade to a 20 gallon.

Newspaper is an OK substrate, but it's best to get paper without ink on it (perhaps tissues). For a small cage I'd use a proper substrate as it'll only be cheap. The most popular has to be Aspen, but "reptile safe" wood chipsand things are cool too - and they look nice. You can get them cheap from a pet shop.

It doesn't do your snake good being in the cold, but it's too late now, and I doubt he'll suffer any long term effects

And you've come 2 the right place 4 advice!

HTH

thanks

I have another question
sorry if this sounds dum but when do they wake up or at least have light on. I mostly wake up before the sun rises. It is going to bother the snake if it is suddenly bright light?
I know about the aspen but buying the snake and ever thing else really stress my money even with the good deals. The newspaper should be fine for a while right.
thanks

Corn sakes are crepuscular - this means they are usually awake in the "twilight" hours. i.e. in the evenings and first thing in the morning.

Turning your lights on suddenly isn't ideal for the snake, but in real life it wont harm him so I wouldn't worry.

I appreciate that beeding is expensive. Here a big bag will cost only £5 and last well over a month!

Newspaper is OK, but the ink wont do your snake any good. If you could use plain paper offcuts, tissues or something similar it'd be much better!

HTH

Plain white paper towels also make a good, easy substrate. Easy to spot the poop and clean... but I recommend using two layers so it doesn't soak through and get on the glass (same goes for newspaper). I use paper towels for my hatchling and aspen for my adult.