new corn owner/couple of specific questions

[measley]

I have a beautiful baby corn (bought at Petco, which may have been a mistake) but he's really sweet, very even tempered and friendly.

I have Melman in a 10 gallon with a 50W heating lamp on one side, and a water bowl on the unheated side. The temperature is showing 85degrees on the warm side and the humidity is at 52. He's very active and I've been handling him at least 15 minutes each day. I was told that he was fed the day I bought him (at petco) but this was a week ago and he has yet to defecate. Should I be worried? Is it maybe just that he's stressed from moving to a new home? Is it the humidity? I was told (by a friend that works at Petco) to force-feed him water and give him a warm bath. Should I wait a few more days or wait until his next feeding to see what happens?

Also, I was told to turn off his heating lamp at night but I'm worried that he'll get too cold so I've been turning off the heating lamp but turning on a heating pad under the tank (I never use both at the same time.) Should I turn off all heat at night time? or am I ok with the heating pad?

One more thing, when I first got him, the humidity was way up so I turned on my overhead fan and this has been keeping the humidity at 50 and the heating lamp keeps the temp on the warm side at 85. At night, like I said, I turn on the heating pad, turn off the heating lamp and then I turn off the overhead fan. When I wake up, the humidity is at 70 and the temp is at 75. Is this bad? or should I keep the fan on at night as well, even without the heating lamp on? Is this maybe why he isn't defecating?

I apologize for all these questions, but I just want to make sure I'm doing everything ok for Melman!

Thanks for any info you can provide me with!

 

[Rich in KY]

I have a beautiful baby corn (bought at Petco, which may have been a mistake) but he's really sweet, very even tempered and friendly.

I have Melman in a 10 gallon with a 50W heating lamp on one side, and a water bowl on the unheated side. The temperature is showing 85degrees on the warm side and the humidity is at 52. He's very active and I've been handling him at least 15 minutes each day. I was told that he was fed the day I bought him (at petco) but this was a week ago and he has yet to defecate. Should I be worried?

No, It is often very hard to see the poop. So you may not see it.

Is it maybe just that he's stressed from moving to a new home? Is it the humidity? I was told (by a friend that works at Petco) to force-feed him water and give him a warm bath. Should I wait a few more days or wait until his next feeding to see what happens?

I would feed him and see what happens. If you do anything, give him a bath in room temp water. Warm water to you may be too hot for him and can be dangerous. The water should only be about one-half inch deep.

DO NOT force feed him water! Make sure he has fresh water available everyday and keep it in the same place in his viv. He will find it and drink from it.

Also, I was told to turn off his heating lamp at night but I'm worried that he'll get too cold so I've been turning off the heating lamp but turning on a heating pad under the tank (I never use both at the same time.) Should I turn off all heat at night time? or am I ok with the heating pad?

I recommend using the under tank heating pad. But you must get a thermostat to regulate the temp. Some heating pads will heat to over 110 degrees which can be deadly to your snake.

One more thing, when I first got him, the humidity was way up so I turned on my overhead fan and this has been keeping the humidity at 50 and the heating lamp keeps the temp on the warm side at 85. At night, like I said, I turn on the heating pad, turn off the heating lamp and then I turn off the overhead fan. When I wake up, the humidity is at 70 and the temp is at 75. Is this bad? or should I keep the fan on at night as well, even without the heating lamp on? Is this maybe why he isn't defecating?

Having a high humidity doesn't hurt unless water spills in the viv and will not dry. This can mold and may create a scale issue with your snake. But actually a higher humidity will help your snake shed. Your temps are ok. But I do recommend using the heat pad more. This also aids with digestion by giving the snake belly warmth. Which now that I think of it, could help your snake poop.

Hope this helps.

 

[MegF.]

It is very easy to lose a small poop from a young snake in substrate. I would never force feed water to a snake unless it is in critical need due to dehydration and I'd soak it first before I'd do that. I'd dump the heat lamp and just use the uth with a thermostat...which you should have on the heat lamp anyway. I don't like heat lamps as they dry the air excessively (although you're dealing with fairly high humidity already) and they pose a fire hazard from getting knocked off the cage top. Cornsnakes are primarily terrestrial, and belly heat benefits them more than overhead heat.

 

[Spurticus]

Listen to these people here, they know what they're talking about.

When I first got my Corn, I had a concern with my snake not drinking. I had a wild caught Corn at one time, and he drank constantly. The one I have now, I didn't see her drink for over a week and was concerned about it.
I asked on one of the forums and was told to keep fresh water in the tank, they would drink. . and probably was at night when I was asleep.
I was still worried about it, but a week later, she crawled out of her hide box and went straight to the water dish and drank for four or five minutes. She does this pretty much daily now. My concerns were just from being a new owner and not being used to their habits. . . . . . We want to do everything perfect, but most of the time I'm guessing if you just leave them alone and do the basics, they'll be fine.

 

[measley]

thank you for your replies! I'm keeping an eye out and will definitely take your advice! thanks!

 

[MegF.]

What kind of cage are you keeping him in? Is it a 10 gl. with a screen lid? I'm surprised that it would have such high humidity if you have the screen lid on it. Make sure the water bowl is fully in the cool side. If it sits over the heat pad at all, that will cause evaporation and excessive humidity.

 

[Coty]

I live south of boston and the humidity has jumped over 70 in my 20 g long (zilla critter cage w/ screen lid) a couple of times this summer (in June, not really recently).

I mixed in some of the packaged recycled newspaper bedding on the side of the tank where the water is, it is supposed to be really absorbent so I thought it may help with the humidity. I also use a water bowl that is a little bit smaller than I used to. I also run my AC where my corn is - I don't make it cold, I keep it at 79 ~ on econ mode usually. From what I understand an air conditioner usually drys the air out a little bit.

The high humidity could be partially due to the heating lamp. The ambient humidity in my tank is never below 50, and very often in the 60-64 range.

I have actually looked into dehumidifiers, although they are a bit expensive this time of year.

 

[MegF.]

Here in S. Carolina, it's been very humid. To be honest, I've never used a humidity gauge in the corns cages so I haven't the faintest idea what the humidity is. The window in summer is open and the cages pretty much stay in the low 80's without any supplemental heat as the snake room stays that temp. My thermostats are loving the rest! They haven't had to turn on the heat mats or panels in months. The snakes are doing well though and shed perfectly, so I figure it's right...after all, they are found here and live in whatever ambient humidity exists then.

 

[measley]

What kind of cage are you keeping him in? Is it a 10 gl. with a screen lid? I'm surprised that it would have such high humidity if you have the screen lid on it. Make sure the water bowl is fully in the cool side. If it sits over the heat pad at all, that will cause evaporation and excessive humidity.

He's in a 10 gal with a screen lid, but i'm staying in the basement at my parent's house right now so that may have something to do with the temperature changes, it gets too cold in the basement so I have to use the heating lamp (the pad isn't getting it warm enough) and I think what someone else said was pretty accurate, that the heating lamp is probably what's affecting the humidity. The water bowl is in the far corner of the cool side, but the cool side is getting a little warm as well. I think I will move him to another room and see how he does in that room.

Thanks for all your replies!!