A couple of newbie questions

[MrMerlin]

I think I've pretty much exhausted the internet trying to find the answer to these questions (including stickies and search here before you get mad!) without finding a definitive answer - it all seems to be personal opinion.

So, the first question is heating. I.e. the choice of heat mats vs lamps. Some swear on heat mats, other say they can cause burns as a Corn grows larger (thus heavier). Some swear on lamps as naturally Corns get their heat from above, plus it's easier to setup a thermal gradient using a lamp. Downsides include a constant light in the vivarium that can stress the Corn.

I can see the argument on both sides but personally I'm leaning towards the lamp solution, I'd just prefer to hear some explanations from some experienced owners to put my mind at rest.

The second question is regarding vivarium size. I've read conflicting arguments saying a hatchling/juvenile would be stressed in a large vivarium due to anxiety, whereas others say a wild snake has an "infinite" sized viv without troubles and so it doesn't matter - and to make sure put plenty of hides in if you do put a young snake in a large vivarium.

The reason I ask is that I've inherited a 36" x 18" x 18" vivarium and don't want to shell out on a smaller one if I can arrange the larger viv in such a way as to keep the snake happy.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[wade]

You are not going to find a definitive answer to those questions. But I’ll tell you what I think and I’m really smart so listen up.

Wild snakes usually get their body heat from the ground they lie on, not radiant heat from the sun. They will bask on warm rocks and the like while lying in the shade. Heat lamps tend to dry out the viv and cause you humidity problems. Heat lamps are often too hot.

A heat mat under one end of the viv can be regulated so that the maximum temperature the mat reaches is 85 degrees. This is the warmest that your snake would want and no where near hot enough to burn him. Heat mats are by far the best way to go and are the choice of almost all serious herpers.

Size of viv. I know people will tell you that a big viv stresses the baby snake but that doesn’t make any sense to me. As you said, in the wild the babies are in a big viv and do fine. I would say if the big one works for you, go for it.

 

[speirsaaron]

i use a heat lamp in the day time and a heat mat at night (mainly because it gets really cold over here ) . the heat lamp shouldn't be on constantly if u go for it it should be turned off at night . the heat mat can be a bad idea for a long term heat source because a heat mat left on constantly will heat up the glass enough to burn the snake maybe even kill it.so in my opinion the lamp is best

and vivarium size u cud always make a wall in it and just take the wall away as the snake grows? and make sure theres lots of plants and hides and stuff for the snakey to go in and out of

just my thoughts hope it helps

 

[Cornsnake124]

So, the first question is heating. I.e. the choice of heat mats vs lamps. Some swear on heat mats, other say they can cause burns as a Corn grows larger (thus heavier). Some swear on lamps as naturally Corns get their heat from above, plus it's easier to setup a thermal gradient using a lamp. Downsides include a constant light in the vivarium that can stress the Corn.

1. Go with a UTH. it can not cause burns because it is not actually IN the cage. It is on the bottom. If you use a thermostat, you can regulate temps within 2 degrees, especially if you use a thermometer also to monitor temps. Heat from below helps digestion because they actually naturally get there heat from below because they are cold blooded. They will get on hot surfaces to get heat. And the heat gets to there organs better from the bottom so, better digestion!


[QUOTE =MrMerlin;942185]The second question is regarding vivarium size. I've read conflicting arguments saying a hatchling/juvenile would be stressed in a large vivarium due to anxiety, whereas others say a wild snake has an "infinite" sized viv without troubles and so it doesn't matter - and to make sure put plenty of hides in if you do put a young snake in a large vivarium.

The reason I ask is that I've inherited a 36" x 18" x 18" vivarium and don't want to shell out on a smaller one if I can arrange the larger viv in such a way as to keep the snake happy.
[/QUOTE]

I dont understand what you mean by your dimentions, but most people use 20 gallon vivs for adults. For the really big ones like this for hatchlings be sure to have LOTS of hides. For my hatchling, i used a 5 gallon and kept moving up as she got bigger.


Hope this post helps

 

[Cornsnake124]

woops the 2nd quote didn't work. I will just do it this way:

The second question is regarding vivarium size. I've read conflicting arguments saying a hatchling/juvenile would be stressed in a large vivarium due to anxiety, whereas others say a wild snake has an "infinite" sized viv without troubles and so it doesn't matter - and to make sure put plenty of hides in if you do put a young snake in a large vivarium.

The reason I ask is that I've inherited a 36" x 18" x 18" vivarium and don't want to shell out on a smaller one if I can arrange the larger viv in such a way as to keep the snake happy.

 

[Tavia]

And to add my personal opinion, I'd go with a UTH because belly heat is supposed to be better, it's less drying, (and here that's important as we have very low humidity) and while all heat sources carry the risk of fire, I worry more about a lamp, like it getting knocked off or it even burning me when I go to get into the cage, (I tend to be clumsy) if that makes sense. It is also my personal opinion that a bigger cage for a baby is not a problem as long as you have lots of things for it to hide under.

 

[marike]

My viv has heat lamps, too. They're in a protective cage, so no one (snake or human) can touch them accidentally. The humidity stays between 50 and 65% around the day (I've got one real plant in). Sure, in the nature, the sun warms the ground and after sunset the snake crawls over it. But in nature, they can also hide under dry leaves or bury themselves under the ground and then warmth comes from above for the day.
As for the viv size. I understood, that it's not the actual size that scares the baby. But when you want to feed it and pick it up, you have to look for it. You also have to find the poo and remove it. That takes way more time and moving stuff in a big viv and that's what's scary. The baby's instinct might say: be careful, a big animal is trying to find and eat you.
But I've no experience with baby corns myself, so I don't know for sure.

As Wade said, you wont get the one right answer. You know the facts and know you have to go one way or the other. Both lamps and UTH and both big and small baby vivs have been used by people successfully. It's up to you to decide, what you like better.

Good luck,
marike

 

[snakewispera snr]

All I'm going to add is, you can get ceramics that are heat lamps but without the light...
Connect them to a dimmer stat.
What ever you choose, if it works for you, is OK.

 

[bitsy]

I'm a lifelong UTH user, but I'll stick my neck out and say that ANY heat source is suitable *as long as it's regulated*. Once a thermostat is in place, there's no way a heat mat - or any other source - can get hot enough for a Corn to burn itself, even if it burrows under the substrate and lies directly on top of it. Just make sure you buy the right sort of controller for whatever heat source you use. One that's suitable for a mat is probably not right for a lamp.

I've kept hatchlings in large vivs before and they were fine. The only problem is making them escape-proof for something that tiny. I had one with sliding glass doors on the front and I watched one of my little tykes try to squeeze between the overlapping glass panes - a couple of weeks & 3 pinkies earlier, and he would have been able to. Make sure you block any escape routes very carefully.

I think you'll see what Wade means about there being no "right" answers! Sorry 'bout that!