Another New Coloradoan

[BorisSpider7]

Hi, I'm a Coloradoan, in the Fort Collins area.

I'm looking to buy my first snake right now - would love to have a natural Okeetee, but having a hard time finding one locally so that I don't have to deal with shipping. I'd like a 1-2 month old if possible.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed that I am going to be at the mercy of my local shop regarding pricing - not enough competition, and I cannot comparison shop. Not so much about the snake price but all the extras...

I was looking at accessories today. They were selling the aluminum shielding for a basking lamp for almost $20! The same sells at Home Depot for about $5 - is there any scientific reason to pay the higher price?

Can anyone say how much they pay for mice? For instance, how much is a pinky, live and frozen?

Has anyone in Colorado bought chicks? Despite that my family of women may seek to do bodily injury on me, I'd like to buy chicks sometimes when the snake is big enough.

Since I'm being heartless anyway, has anyone raised hamsters for their snakes? They birth a brood in about 21 days...

What is a reasonably-priced natural looking substrate? I don't want the astroturf because of the lack of aesthetics. What is recommended?

And for my really big n00b question, what is the definitions of the 1.0's etc. in the signatures?

Thanks in advance!

 

[zeeboismysnake]

I was looking at accessories today. They were selling the aluminum shielding for a basking lamp for almost $20! The same sells at Home Depot for about $5 - is there any scientific reason to pay the higher price?

Nope, none that I know of. Although I use an UTH (which I reccomend over a heat lamp, btw) so you might be better off asking someone who actually has a lamp.

Can anyone say how much they pay for mice? For instance, how much is a pinky, live and frozen?

In the pet store, my guess for pinkies would be about $1 each. There's tons of online breeder though that sell for a fifth of that. No clue about live ones :shrugs:

Has anyone in Colorado bought chicks? Despite that my family of women may seek to do bodily injury on me, I'd like to buy chicks sometimes when the snake is big enough.

Well I'm not in Colorado but...
Cornsnakes don't need any food other then mice.

What is a reasonably-priced natural looking substrate? I don't want the astroturf because of the lack of aesthetics. What is recommended?

Aspen is probably the most reccomended substate.

And for my really big n00b question, what is the definitions of the 1.0's etc. in the signatures?

1.0 stands for male
0.1 stands for female
and 0.0.1 stands for unsexed
for example, if a signature says 12.34.5, it would mean 12 males, 34 females and 5 unsexed. Don't worry about asking questions, we love 'em here

Thanks in advance!

No problem! Welcome to the forums & the hobby (I'm warning you, it's addictive!). Post pics as soon as you get your snake :wavey: