Karl_Mcknight |
05-14-2019 05:38 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by picosnek
(Post 1737360)
I am in the process of getting my first corn snake and am setting up its enclosure before I choose a snake. In reading this forum and other resources, I am still left with a few questions:
1. Is a male easier to care for than a female, considering egg binding? Is egg binding a serious issue?
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Not sure. I've had several snakes over the past 45 years or so, and some were females. I personally have never had issue with it. I currently have a male though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by picosnek
(Post 1737360)
2. Is it recommended to use vitamins/minerals for the health of corns (thinking of the needs of beardies for extra calcium)?
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I'm not going to say it's "Recommended." But some people do and some don't. I use specially reptile formulated vitamins and calcium every 4th feeding myself. That's roughly once every 2 months.
Quote:
Originally Posted by picosnek
(Post 1737360)
3. I've read a lot of conflicting information concerning tank size. Since I want to get a young snake, I purchased a 18"L x 12" W x 6.5" H Exo terra faunarium to be a starter home. Should I have just purchased a large enclosure that could be its final home? I have read a few accounts of snakes becoming very bothered by moving to a new space.
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I would say that's a myth. But then different people treat their snakes in different ways. My snake is a pet. He spends as much time out of the cage as he does in it. He goes where I go, (with a few exceptions), and he's quite used to people, and various surroundings. I think he'd be happy anywhere I placed him. But you will need a bigger cage within a year or 2. And "Taller" cages work better for Rat Snakes (which a corn snake is) because they like to climb.
Quote:
Originally Posted by picosnek
(Post 1737360)
4. How long do frozen pinkies last in the freezer? Do they come with an expiration date?
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I would think anything frozen has an expiration date. Would you pull a hamburger patty or chicken leg out of your freezer that's been in there 2 years and eat it? Then why would we want our pets to? I personally have just 1 snake right now, so I never have more than a few months worth of food on hand in the freezer. Unless you are planning to have many snakes and possibly breed, there's not a lot of reason for you to either. A lot of people think it's more economical to buy bulk mice (dozens or hundreds at a time) because they get a cheaper rate. But you still have to pay the shipping, you still need to make sure to keep them from thawing out, and then you worry about expiration dates? Not me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by picosnek
(Post 1737360)
5. Are certain color morphs more prone to health issues?
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I'll let one of the more professional snake gurus delve into that, but I'll say this, Some of the prettiest corn snakes I have ever seen are the Alabama Wild Type. Where do all these colorations come from anyway. You rarely (or never) see a wild corn snake that looks that way. They come about by gene mixing and manipulation by breeders out to make a buck. So buy yourself a normal color, (they're cheaper anyway) most of the time prettier, and will probably not have the health issues you are concerned about.
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