New to snakes from AZ!

Hello! I recently started my search for my perfect corn snake and have been doing a TON of research and yet still have so much to learn! Any advice you have would be great

For starters.. I have a 60 gal tank (4ft x 1 ft x 2 ft) that I would like to use (the only other option is a 10 gal), but some sources say that the tank is too big while others say the bigger the better.. What are your thoughts?

Also.. where do you guys get your mice from?

Hello and welcome!
It really depends on the age and size of the snake you get, the 60 gallon is going to be way too big for a hatchling and probably a yearling too. A half to full grown corn will do great in there though, say probably a two year old on up. Snakes don't all grow at the same pace, and how much they are fed is a big factor in their growth too, so those ages are approx.
The 10 gallon would be fine to grow up a hatchling snake in to begin with and then you could move it to the 60 later, once it's bigger and won't get lost in the tank, if you end up with a younger snake.

We get our mice online, in bulk, because we have enough to feed that makes it worth the shipping. Usually use either Rodent Pro or Layne Labs.

For a baby snake or yearling the 10 gallon tank will probably be fine. I think that 60 gallons may be a lot of space for a corn snake but then again maybe not. If your snake turns out to be pretty active then it would probably be cool. But it would kinda erk me if I had a 60 tank and a snake that did nothing but hide unless it was pooping or drinking.

Thank you Tavia!

It looks like I'll probably be getting a baby, I may have just found my snake! ^.^
I am glad to hear you have had good experiences with Layne Labs, as that was the one I was most tempted with. (Even with shipping it's cheaper than my local pet store!)

I like the quality of Layne Labs best but am not unhappy with the quality of Rodent Pro and Rodent Pro has sales and coupons quite often, so we usually end up going with them. Not on sale, RP's prices are usually lower for their mice but their shipping is higher, so if no sale is going on, we go with LL and usually come out the same or a little less. LL is also nicer for people with a smaller number of snakes, as they let you buy less of the smaller mice in an order. At RP, up until weaning size (I think) the mice are only available in hundred lots, way more of one size than one snake will need.

That's a good point Cammy. I am definitely going to start out with the 10 gal for the little one, and if they are active and have been living comfortable with me for a few months maybe I'll move him/her to the big tank.

I do have another question now.. HEATING
I live in AZ where my house NEVER goes below 75 degrees. In the winter (this time of year) the house is between 76 and 78. In the summer it is usually 82 during the day and 78 at night.
I know that the cold end of the tank should be around 75 (no lower than 70) and the warm end should be around 85.
Thus, how should I heat my tank?
I have heard that under the tank heaters are best, but that a light bulb during the day is sufficient for climates like mine.
I know that heat is particularly important for digesting food. Would only using a under the tank heater for the day of feeding and 48 hours following be a good/bad idea?
If using an under the tank heater, what do you use to create a barrier between the glass and the snake? (As the snake could just bury under the substrate and be against the glass that is directly being heated and over heat.)

Tavia said:

I like the quality of Layne Labs best but am not unhappy with the quality of Rodent Pro and Rodent Pro has sales and coupons quite often, so we usually end up going with them. Not on sale, RP's prices are usually lower for their mice but their shipping is higher, so if no sale is going on, we go with LL and usually come out the same or a little less. LL is also nicer for people with a smaller number of snakes, as they let you buy less of the smaller mice in an order. At RP, up until weaning size (I think) the mice are only available in hundred lots, way more of one size than one snake will need.

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That is what I noticed. Honestly, we just don't have the freezer space for 100 mice and that would be enough for a full year! With having to open the same bag causing repeated air exposure, even if we had the space I don't imagine they would be 'good' for the full year anyways.
Thank you so much! I think I'll go with Layne then ^.^

Go with a UTH and make sure you also run a thermostat. A lamp will dry out our already dry air here in the desert. Good luck.

HoneyHawthorne said:

I do have another question now.. HEATING
I live in AZ where my house NEVER goes below 75 degrees. In the winter (this time of year) the house is between 76 and 78. In the summer it is usually 82 during the day and 78 at night.
I know that the cold end of the tank should be around 75 (no lower than 70) and the warm end should be around 85.
Thus, how should I heat my tank?
I have heard that under the tank heaters are best, but that a light bulb during the day is sufficient for climates like mine.
I know that heat is particularly important for digesting food. Would only using a under the tank heater for the day of feeding and 48 hours following be a good/bad idea?
If using an under the tank heater, what do you use to create a barrier between the glass and the snake? (As the snake could just bury under the substrate and be against the glass that is directly being heated and over heat.)

Click to expand...

A UTH on a proportional thermostat set to 80 degrees will do the trick. You'll not have to worry about the snake getting burns as it will propabaly be turning itself off most of the time with your ambient temps and the thermostat will keep it in safe range when it is on.
One thing to remember is that thermostats can and do fail, usually in the 'on' position, so a digital thermometer set to alarm at high temps is a good investment

Welcome!

Glad to see another person from the Phoenix area joining the forum! There are several CS members who are in the area, and I am sure you will meet them soon!

I wanted to let you know that there will be a reptile expo in Mesa this weekend. I will be a vendor, and it might be a chance to meet other area herp keepers, too. And whether you already bought your snake or not, there will probably be good deals on supplies and frozen mice, too. Check it out: http://phxreptileexpo.com/

Also, there is a herp society with monthly meetings on the 4th Tues of every month. Bill and I are board members, and it is something I look forward to every month. This month will be a show and tell for members. Some will bring an animal to show off, but more will bring photos / digital images to share. Most members probably won't bring anything, but will just enjoy others' images and animals. There will also be a Christmas party next month. For more info: https://www.facebook.com/azreptiles. If you are not on FB, the AHA has a regular website, too. But it is not updated very regularly, so the FB is better. The group will also have a table at the show this weekend. So stop by to see them at the AHA booth, and say "hello" to me at the Bill Love Photography table, too.

Let me know if you have any questions!

kathylove said:

I wanted to let you know that there will be a reptile expo in Mesa this weekend. I will be a vendor, and it might be a chance to meet other area herp keepers, too. And whether you already bought your snake or not, there will probably be good deals on supplies and frozen mice, too. Check it out: http://phxreptileexpo.com/

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I am so glad you said that! I think I will check them out this weekend and hold off purchasing a snake until then.

Welcome fellow Arizonian!

Welcome to the forum! You're lucky in that you get to meet Kathy Love in person!!

diamondlil said:

A UTH on a proportional thermostat set to 80 degrees will do the trick. You'll not have to worry about the snake getting burns as it will propabaly be turning itself off most of the time with your ambient temps and the thermostat will keep it in safe range when it is on.
One thing to remember is that thermostats can and do fail, usually in the 'on' position, so a digital thermometer set to alarm at high temps is a good investment

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Thank you! That sounds like a very good idea. Any particular kinds of UTHs you prefer?

Yeah, the Mesa show is the best one, too. I really enjoyed it last year and am going again this year. You should certainly be able to find a baby there.

And, whichever kind of UTH you get, you might wrap it in the shiny, silvery duct tape so that you can remove it later and re-use it when your snakes moves to a bigger tank.

Welcome from Tucson area. Planning to attend the Mesa Expo too. This is a great site and everyone has been very helpful and caring.

Welcome from another Phoenician! There is a group of us in the east valley that orders mice together, thus saving on shipping and, if you don't need so many of one size, you can split orders. http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133650 is our most recent thread, we have already gotten them for this month, but post whatever you want when you need them and we will get you in for the next order.

Have you gotten your baby yet? I would definitely buy from one of the breeders here, great selections and great people! Welcome!

Thank you for the warm welcome everyone ^.^

smigon said:

Welcome from another Phoenician! There is a group of us in the east valley that orders mice together, thus saving on shipping and, if you don't need so many of one size, you can split orders. http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133650 is our most recent thread, we have already gotten them for this month, but post whatever you want when you need them and we will get you in for the next order.

Have you gotten your baby yet? I would definitely buy from one of the breeders here, great selections and great people! Welcome!

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Thank you for the warm welcome! I am in the West Valley, but the drive would be worth it! ^.^ I've already bought enough mice to last six months or so, but that is great to know.

My baby arrived Tuesday and I got him from Michelle's Candied Corns who I found on here! ^.^ He is such a sweetie. Once I can handle him (Monday) I was going to put up some pictures.