roman955 said:
I am trying to convince my dad to let me get a corny for my birthday. What are some good qualities of the corn snake that i can tell my dad?
Most corn snakes have very sweet personalities and make very SAFE pets. It is almost impossible for a corn snake, especially a young one, to hurt a child or an adult.
and also any things i need for the corn snake.
You will need to provide a heat source to part of the snake's home. Specially made heating pads for reptiles are probably the best to use, but should have a thermostat (a device that turns the heat off if it gets too hot, back on if it gets too cold). You will need a water dish that is big enough for the snake to crawl all the way into if it wants to soak. You will need some kind of cave for the snake to hide in when it feels shy or afraid. The house doesn't have to be fancy: it can be a macaroni and cheese box with one end open, or even the empty tube from the toilet paper. A branch is nice, since corn snakes like to climb on them.
I'm thinking of getting a baby to start with, Or should i get an adult?
Babies can be very delicate, and, if it is your very first snake, you might want one just a little older. A one-year-old corn is still pretty small and has a lot of growing to still do, so you might try finding one that age. An adult is good too; my first corn, Lucius, was an adult when I got her, and I love her to death. She is very sweet and gentle and easy to take care of.
I have a 30 gallon, How long will that keep my corn snake?
A 30-gallon tank is probably big enough to last your snake its whole life. My adult is in a 30-gallon tank, too. Make sure that you get a top for the tank that is specially made to keep snakes and reptiles in. A snake can sneak out through holes you didn't even think they could fit in, so a regular aquarium top isn't safe enough.
What can i feed it besides mice?
Although mice are the easiest to find and what most people feed their snakes, you can try other things as a treat. Newly hatched chicks are nice for an adult, but probably way too big for a younger snake. In the wild, corn snakes will also sometimes eat bird eggs, so some small quail eggs could be a treat. They will also eat lizards and frogs. Mice should be its diet most of the time, but trying other things is okay, too. Just make sure that, if your snake doesn't want to try anything new, you have some mice on hand so it doesn't go hungry. Most people feed mice that were frozen and then re-warmed to give to the snake, but some snakes, especially older ones who weren't raised that way, will only eat live mice. Frozen and then thawed mice (usually referred to as "F/T") are, by far, the safest way to go.
I need to know EVERYTHING!!! So if you guys could give me the run down id appricate it thanks
The best thing you can do is read about corn and rat snakes. Your public or school libraries should have books that can answer all of your questions. Also, many of the members here have websites for their snakes, and you can find loads of useful information there, from what to feed and how to set up a safe and comfortable home to what to call the different colors and patterns.
Good luck with convincing your dad. I haven't had my corn snakes for very long, but I think they are great pets.
