Haven't gotten the cornsnake yet...

[Joofus]

...But I'm going to this week! I've been visiting PETSMART for several weeks now and holding the snakes to try to get to know them and I've picked one out. I've already got a 10 gallon tank, but the person at the store told me that when they got older they'd need a 40 gallon, which kind of surprised me seeing as the forty gal. is flipping humongous.

This is my first reptile, and I'm extremely excited. I've had only rodents before, and I love them dearly but I'm terribly allergic and it reached a point where I just couldn't breathe near their cage anymore, let alone give them the attention that they needed.

I think I've done a fair amount of research, but as a new corn snake owner, what would you say are some of the things that I need to know for sure?

Thanks so much!
Dy

 

[The_Thunderer]

I've had only rodents before, and I love them dearly but I'm terribly allergic and it reached a point where I just couldn't breathe near their cage anymore, let alone give them the attention that they needed...

Well, you do know that Cornsnakes usually eat a diet of rodents, right? You'll definitely want to feed your snake frozen/thawed rodents to limit the exposure to them - since you're allergic. However, you may want to see if even that type of exposure would set off your allergies.

As for what else you'll need... there are several websites to go to, but I'd start here on this forum at this thread...
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28341

That should be plenty to get you started!

For a variety of reasons (which I won't get into here), you really might want to reconsider buying your snake from PetSmart. I know that some people have found real GEMS there, but you really might want to start out with a corn from a breeder who is usually NOT mainly motivated by the "bottom line" (like PetSmart - rightly as a business is), but also motivated by a love for them. You can find some really good deals in the classified section here and on some of the banner adds around the edges of the forum.

Good luck with your choice and in your preparing to have a lovely corn!

OHHH... and WELCOME to the forums!

Fred

 

[Ruderacer]

I don't recommend Petsmart. There are many, many options out there. Unless Petsmart is having a really great sale, they tend to be much more expensive than even Petco. Check around your area there are bound to be reptile stores. They will have better prices and a lot more knowledgeable people and a better selection of snakes for you to choose from. By the way $39 is the usual price at Petco, if Petsmart is more than that go somewhere else. Good Luck.

 

[Joofus]

Well, you do know that Cornsnakes usually eat a diet of rodents, right? You'll definitely want to feed your snake frozen/thawed rodents to limit the exposure to them - since you're allergic. However, you may want to see if even that type of exposure would set off your allergies.

Yeah, I know. But I also know that everything has got to eat whether I like what they're eating or not!
I think my allergies should be okay unless I physically insert the mouse into my nose (which--don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's lots of fun--I'm not planning on doing).

On the Petsmart note, I know the people at our branch of the store pretty well. The manager breeds snakes, so the cornsnakes there are kept in very good condition. I'll look for breeders near me as well, so I can compare pricing and condition.

Thanks so much for all of your help! I'm incredibly excited at the prospect of finally sharing my home with one of these beautiful creatures!

 

[susang]

I'll add an adult cornsnake can live in a 20L tank very well. If this is the only adult cornsnake ever a forty is nice. Chances are this will not be your only cornsnake. Can't wait to see pics of your new baby when you get it.

 

[Joofus]

Thanks, susang! I'm always saying "This is the only [insert animal here] I am ever going to get!" And then I fall in love and set up a menagerie in my room.

 

[LBoz]

I think my allergies should be okay unless I physically insert the mouse into my nose (which--don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's lots of fun--I'm not planning on doing).

:roflmao: And now there's cola all over my screen! LOL!

I'm excited for you. One of my local chain stores actually has a very knowledgable person working there who has a lot of experience. I'm actually rather impressed that s/he told you a 40 would be better as opposed to someone who said "Oh, they'll be just fine for life in that little 5g tank!" I agree that there are other options that may be better, though. What city are you in? Someone here may know a breeder in your area.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum! I think you'll really like it here, and you've obviously got a whacky sense of humor, so you should fit right in. :wavey:

 

[BlueDolphins]

I've had only rodents before, and I love them dearly but I'm terribly allergic and it reached a point where I just couldn't breathe near their cage anymore, let alone give them the attention that they needed.

I suffer with you. I'm deathy allergic too small animals too. I feed one of my snakes live, and the rest f/t. The f/t ones, don't bother me at all (even the f/t medium rats I'd feed to my python), the live doesn't bother me too much I learned to drop them in, watch from a distance (clear feeding container helps for this), and leave as they're eating them. (I feed my snakes outside, I find I have less allergy attacks, with a slight breeze, it quickly blows the odor away.)

My largest corn bothers me at times, being she eats two small mice a week, she begins to smell like mice (doesn't help she eats live also.)

:cheers:

 

[Maize411]

Welcome aboard! Though I also say check for breeders in your local area..I'm not going to fully bad mouth petsmart as that is where I got my first corn snake Maize..and she is turning out great! But I have heard tales on here of very bad condition snakes and corns and pythons coming with parasites and many other things from big name pet stores..but all is up to you in the end..you say the manager breeds snakes and that the snakes there are well cared for so I'm sure things would be fine in the end. But I do know that breeders usually always tend to have better prices then pet stores...best of luck to ya in whatever you choose :0)

 

[dpreston66]

Welcome to the forum! Good luck with your selection!

:wavey:

 

[Joofus]

I live in a depressingly small town in the Midwest, but I've been searching for breeders in my state and next with no luck *shakes fist at cornfields*

Thanks for all the warm welcomes everyone! I'm going to be buying the setup for the terrarium today, and maybe welcoming the corn snake into my home tomorrow. Wish me luck!

 

[alan]

Luck, and welcome. Plenty of the breeders here ship snakes. Check Serpenco (host's site).

 

[Caryl]

Welcome to the forum and the addiction! Your sense of humor will be much appreciated here. We're a quirky lot, in general. If you've suffered menagerie-developing-disorder before, you'll have a triple dose with corn snakes. It happened to me.....and I'm delighted with the whole thing.

If you don't find what you want locally, don't hesitate to order online from reputable breeders. I've done it twice so far, and it's been totally satisfactory. Again, good luck and welcome.

 

[Rich in KY]

Hi :wavey: welcome to the forum!

As alan said, many breeders will ship to you. Check here Site Breeders for a list of people that belong to this site and breed and sell snakes.

If no one else has said it, make sure to post pics of you new snake when you get it!