Great debate - housing a baby snake

[Deb Johnston]

Greetings and good morrow folks!

I have had snakes since I was a kid (garters, wild caught back then, as an adult I've had corn snakes, a red tail boas and a king snake). I have a young king snake atm and just acquired a gorgeous little Blizzard corn. He has had a couple sheds since hatching, but is very small. She is my first baby snake (Don't know the sex so switch pronouns back and forth).

I have been arguing with myself what size habitat to set him up in for nearly two weeks so thought to get advice from those more experienced with babies. I currently have her in a medium sized critter keeper because I know she was in a very small tote at the breeders. It is set up with what she needs but too small for any length of time.

So, is a 10 gallon actually too big for this tiny guy? I have a Fauna plastic vivarium about the size of a man's shoe box, which was my original plan, but I really prefer to have them in glass (I have cats). I want to get a set up with opening front doors but I can wait until she is a bit bigger.

Am I over-thinking this? What is the best size habitat compared to snake size? I don't want him to be overwhelmed but don't want him in too small a space either. I have never worried so much about a snake before lol. My King (Domino) is in a 20 gallon and doing well. Tamwyn (my Blizzard) is tripping me out because she's just so small (my husband said she looked like a worm! Yup put him in the doghouse, that did)!

I welcome suggestions as I am talking myself around and around! Thank you for your time.

Deb

 

[Dragonling]

Babies in the wild aren't overwhelmed by their environment. A better reason to use a smaller viv is simply so your tiny baby is easier to find. I've heard setting an appropriate heating gradient in a larger space as a reason as well, but adults in big enclosures don't seem to have any issues so I'm not sure that's really a problem.

 

[Jitt]

I'm not a pro, but if it helps you, my current viv for 3 month old corn snake is a standard adult size (namely 100cm x 40cm x 50 cm) and even if he loves to hide A LOT (most favorite place is in the 3D background which forces me to disassemble shelf in order to get him out ) I never had problem with finding where he currently is. Hides included of course, no problem with the gradient at all (offering even more than "advised" temps and can't say he's complaining, though sticking most of the time to the warm side).

As mentioned, I agree on the same logic ... in wild the little corns are not owerwhelmed by vast world either, they just choose to hang in a limited space and as they grow, they explore more and more of it. My little one is curious enough to slither through the entire viv almost every night so far and definitely doesn't mind it being so big

 

[Deb Johnston]

Thank you for the replies. I admit it crossed my mind as to who keeps wild snakes from being overwhelmed by the big bad world, but I have read that too big a viv for them is a no-no.

Maybe I will just start with the 10 gallon and be done with it (safer with the cats) then move him up to the adult home when I have my "dream" setup.

Thank you again

 

[daddio207]

I've heard setting an appropriate heating gradient in a larger space as a reason as well

Yes, Picking the size tank that you can provide the proper heat gradient is most important.

Thank you for the replies. I admit it crossed my mind as to who keeps wild snakes from being overwhelmed by the big bad world, but I have read that too big a viv for them is a no-no.

Maybe I will just start with the 10 gallon and be done with it (safer with the cats) then move him up to the adult home when I have my "dream" setup.

Thank you again

The big bad world does overwhelm most wild snakes. Few hatchlings make it their first year due to predication, weather, collection, accidents, etc..
To small or to large of a tank makes providing the proper heat gradient harder to achieve but with the large size selection of UTH's available for 5 to 40 gallon tanks it's easily done. The larger the tank and the smaller the occupant then more hides are required.

For your situation I think that the 10 gallon is the best choice.

 

[Zimmer]

I think lots of "clutter" helps them feel more secure. And not just choices of hides, but ground cover, like leaves, debris, etc. To have enough "stuff" to fill a bigger tank is more of a chore. They are all alone in the big wild world, but the big wild world also offers a lot more options in the way of hiding and security than a 40 gallon tank even with 4-5 hides. I got my snake as an adult, and got a 40 gallon tank. It's just right for her. Keeping that in mind, with a tiny baby, I think a 10 gallon is what I would use.

 

[Rigby & Marcy]

I have always kept my babies in 10 gallons until just over a year old, depending on growth rate. A guideline is once the snake is as long as the front plus one side of the viv, it's time to move up.

 

[MysticExotics]

Some babies do well in larger enclosures with lots of places to hide.
I start with babies hatching from the egg, and I have found greater success in getting them to become established eaters, if I start them out in small bins.
I use the rectangular Rubbermaid sandwich containers until they are ready to move up to double pinkies, then they go to 6qt bins, and move up as they grow.

 

[Mette]

Just remember that your tank needs to be very very snakeproof, before releasing a baby snake into it They can escape through the tiniest gap or hole and will squeeze between slide doors if there's any space at all.