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moving up a tank size?
- Thread starter katieam
- Start date
If your snake is close to 3ft then he should be moved up a tank size now 
General rule of thumb (although very approximate) is that when the snakes total length is equal to the length x the width of the tank - the snake is too big for the tank. So....a 10 gallon is approx 20" x 10" (forgive me if its not exact...) equalling a total of approx 30inches. So by the time your snake nears 30" they need a new tank. That being said, you can move them over a bit earlier too...it depends on the snake, if you have a snake that is prone to stressing easily - i would wait till they are maxed out, if not - you can move a bit earlier.
General rule of thumb (although very approximate) is that when the snakes total length is equal to the length x the width of the tank - the snake is too big for the tank. So....a 10 gallon is approx 20" x 10" (forgive me if its not exact...) equalling a total of approx 30inches. So by the time your snake nears 30" they need a new tank. That being said, you can move them over a bit earlier too...it depends on the snake, if you have a snake that is prone to stressing easily - i would wait till they are maxed out, if not - you can move a bit earlier.
People have different opinions on what stresses corns out.
However, most of the corns I've seen in the 3' range NEED a bigger cage than a 10 gallon aquarium.
Too big won't stress them out, as long as long as they have hides, deep substrate, etc.
I've found that taping a grocery bag on three sides of the outside of an aquarium seems to make snakes more likely to be seen in the tank.
I understand it isn't aesthetically pleasing, it is better for the snake.
Corns do better in big tubs than they do in small aquaria.
However, most of the corns I've seen in the 3' range NEED a bigger cage than a 10 gallon aquarium.
Too big won't stress them out, as long as long as they have hides, deep substrate, etc.
I've found that taping a grocery bag on three sides of the outside of an aquarium seems to make snakes more likely to be seen in the tank.
I understand it isn't aesthetically pleasing, it is better for the snake.
Corns do better in big tubs than they do in small aquaria.
Given his current size - the size of the new tank shouldnt stress him out. The act of the move may throw him off for a little while but he should be ok.
Move his hides over with him and add a couple more hides if you are concerned. Then give him a week with no handling or feeding to just relax, and see how he does.
As already mentioned, putting paper up on 3-sides of the tank does help them feel more secure.
Move his hides over with him and add a couple more hides if you are concerned. Then give him a week with no handling or feeding to just relax, and see how he does.
As already mentioned, putting paper up on 3-sides of the tank does help them feel more secure.
katieam
S for Sam!
ok thanks everybody, im definately going to move him up, hopefully this week. i didnt mean to put it off this long, but every time i go to do it he is either about to shed (and he takes a really long time to shed) or its time for him to eat. so i think if i get everything tonight and switch him tommorow the timing will be perfect.
thanks again
thanks again
bitsy
Owned by Corns since 1991
As long as you have appropriate heating and plenty of hides/ground cover, I'd say the bigger the better.
One of my vivs is four feet wide and three feet tall, with a couple of shelves. Corns that have used it seem to be fine in it.
My only warning is that the elaborate design can be wasted if you end up with a non-climber or one that prefers burrowing. I have a few, so I've just tried to fit the active climbing Corn to the enclosure, which has worked well. Maybe wait and see how yours turns out aged around three, before planning a glorious showhome that he'll never use!
One of my vivs is four feet wide and three feet tall, with a couple of shelves. Corns that have used it seem to be fine in it.
My only warning is that the elaborate design can be wasted if you end up with a non-climber or one that prefers burrowing. I have a few, so I've just tried to fit the active climbing Corn to the enclosure, which has worked well. Maybe wait and see how yours turns out aged around three, before planning a glorious showhome that he'll never use!
Yeah, good suggestion. He is still young (I don't know how old, but about 14" long I would guess)
I was planning on building this show-home enclosure for him over this summer as a project but I was thinking of putting him in the 30 gal. any time over the next couple months. The 5 gal. (I think it is somewhere around that?) that he is in now is not really big enough for my climbing stuff. I just got him last week and when I got him I (like any ignorant new snake owner!) promptly went outside and started putting sticks in his cage. I have since learned that is a no-no and my pet store stuff doesn't fit. He has a cardboard box to climb on in there now, and has been on the upper rim of the cage twice. What happens if he is a burrower... any way to change that? Wouldn't UTH just encourage him to stay on the bottom unless it is too hot? Right now I am using a heat lamp on a timer but I am going to switch over to the UTH on a thermostat.
bitsy
Owned by Corns since 1991
Burrowing and climbing tend to just be individual preferences.
Sometimes burrowing can be an indicator of a problem like too few hides or too high a temperature on top of the substrate (more likely if using an overhead heat source), but some just like it.
There's no real way to train them out of burrowing if that's what they prefer.
As all of mine seem to spend most of their time in cool spots, only moving to the UTH when digesting or feeling under the weather, I'd suggest that using a UTH in a taller viv won't be a problem. There will just be a wider range of cool spots for them to choose from. As long as you still have that correct warm/cool gradient and enough hides in each area to allow thermoregulation, if they like climbing - they'll be upstairs like a shot. One of mine in a taller viv actually spends most of his time on one of the upper levels, well away from the UTH.
Sometimes burrowing can be an indicator of a problem like too few hides or too high a temperature on top of the substrate (more likely if using an overhead heat source), but some just like it.
There's no real way to train them out of burrowing if that's what they prefer.
As all of mine seem to spend most of their time in cool spots, only moving to the UTH when digesting or feeling under the weather, I'd suggest that using a UTH in a taller viv won't be a problem. There will just be a wider range of cool spots for them to choose from. As long as you still have that correct warm/cool gradient and enough hides in each area to allow thermoregulation, if they like climbing - they'll be upstairs like a shot. One of mine in a taller viv actually spends most of his time on one of the upper levels, well away from the UTH.
Okay, I think I am going to clean the 30 gal. I have (I got it used, and it had a reptile in it), all the stuff that came with it, do a day of temperature testing with it (with a temp gun and with thermometers) and then stick him in that the day after I feed him. That will show me weather or not he likes to climb, and hopefully will give him a more fun home.
bitsy
Owned by Corns since 1991
Must admit, I wouldn't put him in a new tank directly after feeding. Some don't like change and you might risk a regurge if he finds the process stressful. I'd give him three or four days in his current tank to let his dinner settle, then try him in the new one.
It'll give you a few more days to tinker with the temps as well, if you need to.
He might take a week or two to settle in after that, and you won't get a true indication of his preference until he feels comfortable in his new surroundings. He'll probably find the nearest hide and stay put for a week, if mine are anything to go by when transferred to a new viv.
It'll give you a few more days to tinker with the temps as well, if you need to.
He might take a week or two to settle in after that, and you won't get a true indication of his preference until he feels comfortable in his new surroundings. He'll probably find the nearest hide and stay put for a week, if mine are anything to go by when transferred to a new viv.