Proper temp for corn snake

I have just purchased a baby albino cornsnake. I am getting conflicting directins on how to keep him warm. I was told a heat rock was not a good idea and the heating pad was not a good idea also. But then I was told that those two ideas would be fine. The only idea that they both told me was the heat lamp would work. I am using a 15 watt bulb for about 12 hours a day and turning it off at night. It is only staying about 80 degrees. I am afraid it will get to cold. If I use a heating pad type heater is that safe? And how warm should it be? I am getting conflicting answers and different from what I have been reading. Also is it normal for them to be buried all the time??? I am confused. and I want the little guy to be ok.

Welcome to the forum

Congrats, on getting your new cornsnake...

Heat rocks are not good heat sources for snakes because a snake may burn themselves on them rather easily, however heat pads are excellent heat sources when used properly...

If your vivarium temps are only dropping to the 80's at night I wouldn't worry about another heat source...Those temps should be fine...The average suitable temps for corns are between 70-90 deg...

If the temps are getting to low or you decide to use a heat source during the winter here are a few things you can utilize to keep your cornsnake warm:

1. A heating pad plugged/wired into a thermostat to keep the temp at an average of 80-85 deg...It is essential to have the heating pad connected to a thermometer because heat pads have been known to malfuntcion and produce heat in excess of 100 deg...A thermometer shuts off the heat pad in the event of it malfunctioning...

2. Cornsnakes are diurnal animals meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk...So if your using a light as a heat source, I would suggest a red basking bulb for a hot spot during day and night and a regular flourescent light for vivarium lighting during the day...Keep in mind that the average basking spot should be around 90-93 deg...

Cornsnakes seem to like burrowing in their beeding...It is a perfectly normal thing for them to hide under their bedding all day long and only come out at night, when every thing is quiet...

HTH,

Hmm... I think you meant crespucular Drizzt, diurinal = active during the daytime, like my indigo snake.

One important point if you decide to use both lamp and heat pad at the same time is not to point the lamp directly on top of the heat pad, major fire hazard from heat pad overloading. You'll need a fairly largish tank to be able to use both (a 20 long), but it works out fairly well.

What kinda bedding are you using? If you want him to burrow less, you can use paper towels for bedding and add in more hides for him (but might make him a bit unhappy for a while if he's the burrowing type). This'll just make him hide in the hides instead of burrowing.

How old is the snake? Most corns don't start coming out and roaming till they're fully grown and accustomed to you and the surroundings (takes a couple years) and some never come out no matter what.

-Lemur 6

Coulubrids don't need a heat lamp, but a heatpad on one side of the tank is a good idea. Unless your room does not get below the upper sixtys.

Thanks for the info. He is doing ok. I am going to try his first feeding on friday hopefully that will go ok. thanks again..