Being hyper prepared is good, right? (New person.)

First off, sorry for lurking so much. Hi I'm Vivi, and I'm new to this community 8D; if that doesn't make it awkward enough...

I'm planning to have my first corn snake this month from the Repticon up in LA! Hoping to pick up a juvi to start off with, and if I'm lucky enough, find one in Blizzard or anery morph. My supplies to set up his enclosure are still in transit (yay for Amazon.) so I will be needing some feedback and advice on how to properly set it up. I currently have a 15qt/sweater Sterilite box + binder clips all around. I got a handful of questions but that will be in a different thread!

A bit about me, I love animals, specifically rabbits, but I think snakes are cute too! I work night shifts, I like to play video games, watch cartoons and anime, and I draw from time to time. However, I'm kind of shy half the time, but I'll do my best to be a peaceful member! x_x;

Welcome!!!

Since no one said welcome, I'll jump in!

In terms of being "hyper prepared," I guess it depends who you ask, but in MY case it's like preaching to the choir! OCD is just one of many diagnoses I carry with me, however, it CAN be adaptive in certain lines of work (I happen to be a social worker in NYC) and a blessing when caring for pets! Being prepared is something your animals would THANK YOU for if they were able to speak, I'm sure of it!

Bit of a jump from rabbits to reptiles though, isn't it? But I can identify with being an animal lover of most species, that is (not too keen on certain types of crustaceans, insects, and smaller, but to each his own and live and let live is how I like to think and behave, except when it comes to food, there is no way I could EVER be a vegetarian, but that's ME and I try my hardest not to judge others for it, unless they become hypocritical, like someone who calls themselves an animal lover but declaws their cats to protect their precious furniture - TOLD YOU OCD was just ONE of my diagnoses!! LOL!! But I didn't mention tangential thoughts and attention deficit disorder, among others huh?)

Sorry I can't give you good advice on housing. Since I became aware that corns only use one of their lungs to breathe, I purchased a nylon, screen mesh type of enclosure with a sophisticated heating system too complicated for most snake owners, but speaking of obsessive, well do I need to say more? The most important thing (my opinion) is to have a variance of temps that a snake can choose between cool (65-70 degrees F) to warm (85-90 degrees F) with hides in both temperature-controlled areas. The ideal setup would include thermostats or temp-controlled switches but it's not necessary if you have a dependable system by which you monitor the temps on at least two sides of the viv. Also, not certain I read that correctly, but a "15qt/sweater Sterilite box" doesn't sound like it would be large enough for a juvenile for long, though more experienced members can cover that.

In any event, WELCOME!

Thank you very much for the welcome~ that made my morning!

I honestly just really like animals, except for ones with a lot of legs and can probably kill me. I'd still get myself a bunny but I'll just have to see where my future lead me to. And I definitely agree with you! Prevention is the best medicine.

It has been a while since my intro post. So quick update. I do have what seems to be a hatchling snow corn named Leviathan or Levi for short. The Tub set up is going good but I am yet again plagued with high humidity. I did get a good deal on a sliding lock 20gal tank when I got Levi from the show so I'm going to work on accommodating him and move him in there this weekend. He did just ate on Sunday. Weighing 10g right now. And well. I really like him!

Apparently I've been missing some intro posts...welcome! :wavey: Glad things are going well with Levi so far. You should post some pics if you get a chance. We'd love to see him.

Add me to the missed post list. Believe me, no one around here would purposely ignore a post like yours!

The screen lid will definitely solve the humidity problem.

A belated official welcome thread welcome to you and Levi! :wavey:

I don't mind at all! Honestly, I'm that kid in class that'll choke up when it's my turn to introduce myself.

Pictures of Levi is a must. I just haven't been able to because I have bad lighting at night. I can't wait to move him in a more comfortable home though, just need to go shopping a bit more to clutter up the cage.

The screen lid doesn't really lock. It's a pin in hole type of deal. I did check for any gaps and it's all good but I'm still leery about random escapes.

Did you get him at the show at the Orange County Fairgrounds? We went on Friday and there was one guy there that had a nice little selection of corns, including spectors and heliconias. It was nice to see someone at a socal show that really knew his stuff. Anyways congrats on your new baby. It probably won't be long before you want another one. These guys are like pringles...you can't stop at just one.

Yes I did! I went on Saturday since I had work on Friday. I met that guy, I didn't like him too much, he assumed that I was a breeder and questioned me on why I want a snow morph. :\ I got Levi from Scales Exotics, really nice ladies!

And Hah.. It depends on space and money!

Take it from one who lost a beloved snake to a tragic escape from an insecure cover, secure it.

If you can push up on it or if there is any latch your snake can access, it is an escape waiting to happen. While many are found some never are. They can get though gaps you wouldn't believe.

In my case, it was a latch my snake youngster turned from the inside. I miss him every day.

D'you think he could push the pin out? I did bought a luggage strap, and I could wrap it around the top. I don't want to use tape at all.

Without seeing, I can't tell. My only advice is to err on the side of caution. If he can't access it, he probably can't unlatch it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xdhzc1pbnqddwjt/20160425_134227.jpg?dl=0
Okay here's the tank with the pin in. Mango for Scale, I ran out of bananas sorry.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i8fl4qj68kwq4kv/20160425_134302.jpg?dl=0
Pin is out and lid is pulled out slightly to show.

Any improvement ideas?

Sorry to hear you didn't like the guy very much. We had a really good conversation but then I was very interested in the specter and heliconias so that may have been why. It's a shame he pressured you about wanting a "common" morph. I'm glad you were able to find what you were looking for.

Oh yeah, the sliding lid with the pin to secure should be fine. People have used those for years.

It's no problem, it was my first time shopping for a reptile, so I was really nervous and stressed myself. I tried to keep my composure and stayed strong though. I really liked his cinder though, and there was no doubt that his information is helpful. I get to feel his snake, and that was probably the best thing about it. I really wish I had more time to go around the Expo, everything looked really fun! And coulda bought more stuff to fill up the cage.

DollysMom said:

Oh yeah, the sliding lid with the pin to secure should be fine. People have used those for years.

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That's quite a relief! Thank you Dolly's Mom. Time to shop for a new heat pad, mines a mini at the moment :\

cinnabunbun said:

It's no problem, it was my first time shopping for a reptile, so I was really nervous and stressed myself. I tried to keep my composure and stayed strong though. I really liked his cinder though, and there was no doubt that his information is helpful. I get to feel his snake, and that was probably the best thing about it. I really wish I had more time to go around the Expo, everything looked really fun! And coulda bought more stuff to fill up the cage.

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My girlfriend loved the cinders as well. She loves grey snakes. I had to remind her that we already have 6 corn snakes and that we were there looking for a crested gecko, not another snake.

Hey, How ya Been??

Glad people jumped on the bandwagon!! I actually shouldn't talk since it took me almost a year to even come out of the shadows from just lurking! But one thing I do know about this site is that you will get some really great advice from people who really care about their reptiles and who talk from experience!

In terms of escaping, just remember (and keep it in the back of your head at all times!) that it is in a snake's nature to get out! If there is a gap in your security, they will find it! Just take it from those of us who have lost them!

But as long as you've got that covered (pun definitely intended!), I think you'll be fine!!

Later!

axis1 said:

Hey, How ya Been??

Glad people jumped on the bandwagon!! I actually shouldn't talk since it took me almost a year to even come out of the shadows from just lurking! But one thing I do know about this site is that you will get some really great advice from people who really care about their reptiles and who talk from experience!

In terms of escaping, just remember (and keep it in the back of your head at all times!) that it is in a snake's nature to get out! If there is a gap in your security, they will find it! Just take it from those of us who have lost them!

But as long as you've got that covered (pun definitely intended!), I think you'll be fine!!

Later!

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I'd have to thank you for that xD; I am starting to feel more comfortable here. Anxiety is rough. I am clearing all my bases for the potential chance of escape.