Corn snake as a class pet...

[Lolo]

I'm a high school librarian here in San Francisco, and just got permission to introduce snakes into the library (actually the teen center behind the library). Yay! I've already gotten some good advice on my BP forum, but thought I should ask for help here too. I have a write-up I've given my boss, which outlines the "reptile program" as I envision it... also wrote my own caresheet on corn snakes, since that's what kind of snake we're getting. I'll attach them to this post, and would appreciate advice on the documents or whatever else is applicable.

I found an adult female corn on craigslist, btw, whom I'm planning to go purchase this Sunday. She's a 3 year-old female Amel, ignored by a child who was given the snake by a friend - so now his dad is selling it for only $20. Figured an adult snake would be best, since babies are squirmy and delicate (not to mention easily lost). And because of the stupid legislation in this city, I'm pretty much limited to colubrids. Anyway, assuming she looks nice and healthy, I'll get her on Sunday & bring her into school next week. TIA for any input, experiences from other educators, etc etc.

P.S. I also picked this female Amel is because I have a male Okeetee... so hopefully this can turn into a breeding project, once my boy is big enough.

 

[Floof]

That sounds great! I wish my school would do something like this... I think the librarian tried to get a "class pet," but she must have gotten shot down--one of my classmates ended up with her 10 gal tank, and stuffed it full of anoles. =P

I'm seeing a couple discrepancies on the caresheet, if you don't mind my pointing them out... "Creamsicle" is the trade name for Amel Emory's rat x corn snake hybrids, not a morph on its own, and Candy cane is a selectively bred version of Amel. On temps, 90*F is (IMO, at least) a bit high. Corns can handle somewhat higher temps, yes, but 80-85 is the more recommended range. (I do know, recently, my UTHs were on the high side at 87-90, and most of the corns have been keeping off the heat because of it.) Other than that, the care sheet is very well done! =)

 

[Shiari]

One thing to add is that corn snakes are not basking snakes. They very much prefer belly heat so bulb-heaters aren't a good idea. Those also tend to dry out vivs and can result in shedding problems.

Also, snakes don't create urine. They secrete, at the same time, fecal material and urates, like birds do.

 

[Lolo]

Thanks to both of you, and I'll fix those errors now. I wasn't sure about the temperatures, since I've noticed discrepancies on that... most caresheets say 90 degrees for the warm side, but people here recommend 80-85. I keep mine around 82-86, which seems to work fine for my corn - but I'll write what you suggested!

 

[Lolo]

P.S. Here's the snake I'm going to see on Sunday... bad picture, but it looks like a good deal! http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/pet/1457269400.html

 

[medusacoils]

Thanks to both of you, and I'll fix those errors now. I wasn't sure about the temperatures, since I've noticed discrepancies on that... most caresheets say 90 degrees for the warm side, but people here recommend 80-85. I keep mine around 82-86, which seems to work fine for my corn - but I'll write what you suggested!

To clarify just a bit. 70-90F are acceptable temps for corn snakes. Temp variations in this range are considered good. It's when you get outside of these temps that you begin to run into problems. The "nominal" temps are 75F - 85F.

Hope that helps?!?!

Wayne

 

[Lolo]

Yes, that does help... thanks!

 

[Shiari]

Hey! If you can convince them.... I've been wanting to re-home Joxer, my 06 ghost male.....Just think of the fun contrast you can create between their tanks?

 

[Lolo]

Hey! If you can convince them.... I've been wanting to re-home Joxer, my 06 ghost male.....Just think of the fun contrast you can create between their tanks?

I'd love a ghost male! If I have any money left over, I might want that boy...

 

[Teddy Roosevelt]

I'm studying to be a math teacher and considered bringing a corn in as a school pet... Though I'd have to lock it twice and I probably wouldn't put an expensive morph or a snake I'm especially attached to in it. Kids, especially teenage boys, can be needlessly cruel in the stupidest ways.

 

[Feanturi]

Just a thought, it sounds like this snake may not be used to a lot of activity, and going direct to a busy environment might be stressful under the best of circumstances....

Corns can be great ways to get to kids, especially those same boys referenced above - they are cool enough to not break the machismo and interesting enough to inspire. Sounds great, best of luck in all your endeavors!

 

[Asbit]

I think the snakes in school is a great idea, I run a daycare and have 5 snakes and 2 geckos...they make the best science lessons, the kids learn about predators, prey, habitats, environments, carnivore, herbivore, nocturnal, etc. All this learning is done in the most fun and interesting way and they never know we are learning.

I am going to approach my Gr.5 son's teacher and see if we can do a science lesson on one of the corn snakes at the school and I will take our biggest, she is so calm and loves to be handled.

 

[Lolo]

I'm studying to be a math teacher and considered bringing a corn in as a school pet... Though I'd have to lock it twice and I probably wouldn't put an expensive morph or a snake I'm especially attached to in it. Kids, especially teenage boys, can be needlessly cruel in the stupidest ways.

That is true! This snake will be living in a separate teen center, which is locked except during open hours (3:30-6pm) - so hopefully nobody will gain access when staff isn't present.

 

[Lolo]

Just a thought, it sounds like this snake may not be used to a lot of activity, and going direct to a busy environment might be stressful under the best of circumstances....

Corns can be great ways to get to kids, especially those same boys referenced above - they are cool enough to not break the machismo and interesting enough to inspire. Sounds great, best of luck in all your endeavors!

Thanks! If she seems nervous or unsure when I get her, I'll keep her in my home until she's settled in... at least a week or two. But if she's acting cool I will bring her in right away, and just hold off on letting anyone hold her for a little while. They have to get parental waivers signed first anyway, so that will give me a good excuse to hold off.

 

[Floof]

Thanks! If she seems nervous or unsure when I get her, I'll keep her in my home until she's settled in... at least a week or two. But if she's acting cool I will bring her in right away, and just hold off on letting anyone hold her for a little while. They have to get parental waivers signed first anyway, so that will give me a good excuse to hold off.

You know, the best excuse for holding off is a lesson in itself--they need time to settle in.. If the kids get their waivers signed quicker than you expect, you can point that out and use it as the first "lesson."

Don't forget to quarantine her from your established snakes if she goes to your home, and to treat the school (or, at least, the student center) as a "quarantine area" for the snake for at least a few months/until you can be sure the snake is healthy. =)

 

[Feanturi]

Don't worry, be corny....

Thanks! If she seems nervous or unsure when I get her, I'll keep her in my home until she's settled in... at least a week or two. But if she's acting cool I will bring her in right away, and just hold off on letting anyone hold her for a little while. They have to get parental waivers signed first anyway, so that will give me a good excuse to hold off.

Good idea. She'll probably settle in pretty quick. Corns are great at adapting from what I've seen with here. She'll be thrilled with all the interaction coming her way. Mine all seem to enjoy the out time, and do great with kids. As long as they maintain some sense of cool.....Sounds like you have it together. I think sometimes we worry a bit too much about these critters. They seem awfully easy to deal with. Could teach my BP's a thing or two. :angry01:

 

[Lolo]

Good idea. She'll probably settle in pretty quick. Corns are great at adapting from what I've seen with here. She'll be thrilled with all the interaction coming her way. Mine all seem to enjoy the out time, and do great with kids. As long as they maintain some sense of cool.....Sounds like you have it together. I think sometimes we worry a bit too much about these critters. They seem awfully easy to deal with. Could teach my BP's a thing or two. :angry01:

LOL, totally (on the last comment). I just fed all of my snakes, and two of the BPs refused their meals - typical. The corns, on the other hand, were MORE than happy to eat! The new girl took two adult mice without any hesitation, and little Scout just ate his first live pinkie... he wasn't sure what to do at first, since he's only had f/t, so he just squeezed the poor mouse's head until it stopped squirming. Yuk.

 

[Lolo]

so he just squeezed the poor mouse's head until it stopped squirming.

I meant that he squeezed it with his mouth... he had no idea about striking/coiling, apparently, so we'll stick with f/t from now on. :nope:

 

[Lolo]

You know, the best excuse for holding off is a lesson in itself--they need time to settle in.. If the kids get their waivers signed quicker than you expect, you can point that out and use it as the first "lesson."

Good point. I talked to the principal about the waivers today, but he was pretty clueless... said he'd come talk to me later, so I'll harass him tomorrow if he's still not saying anything. Either way, it looks like I will have to compose the waiver myself - greeeaaaat.

Don't forget to quarantine her from your established snakes if she goes to your home, and to treat the school (or, at least, the student center) as a "quarantine area" for the snake for at least a few months/until you can be sure the snake is healthy. =)

I have her in a separate area, but unfortunately I'm limited to one room for all of the snakes (the others are in a rack across the room)... I'll make sure to use lots of hand sanitizer, separate tools, etc. She seems pretty healthy, though, aside from a weird little bump on her tail - I'm guessing it's either a small abscess, or just a hard urate waiting to be expelled. If it doesn't go away in a week, I'll post some pictures and possibly take her to the vet.

 

[Floof]

Same room situation should be okay so long as you practice good hygiene.

Just an "FYI", though: No amount of hand sanitizer can ever beat a good hand washing. A recent health... Disaster... proved that to me. I lost 4 snakes (all of whom, luckily, were in quarantine as they were new additions) because I was only using alcohol-based hand sanitizer between them and one ended up having an illness that was "immune" to the effects of the hand sanitizer. Not trying to scare you at all, of course, just educate.

Also, if you don't already, don't do anything with her until you've finished everything with your established snakes...