Greetings from Wisconsin

[RavenWolf]

Even though I registered way back in Nov of 2005, I think I only posted a couple of times. So I thought I should stop in here, reintroduce myself and say hi before starting to post again.

Back in 2005 I decided I would like to get a pet snake. I have always thought they were interesting animals and remember fondly the little Garter snake my brothers had for a few weeks when I was very little. (Before it escaped from the cardboard box they kept it in.)

After much research I decided on getting a Corn Snake as I wanted one that would stay on the small side and wouldn't mind being handled. I even almost bought one. However since I had several pet rats at the time and live in a small apartment. I decided that rather than risk causing stress to the new snake or my ratties by having to keep them in the same room, I would wait a few years before getting a pet snake. (My last little furry guy just passed away a few weeks ago.)

So here I am nearly 2 years latter picking up where I left off with the pre-purchasing a new pet research. I think at this point its fairly safe to say that my wanting to get a pet snake isn't a spur of the moment decision or passing whim. LOL I think I'm still a few months away from actually purchasing my first (and really hope I can manage to keep it my only) Snake. I admit that with all the cool colors Corns come in its going to be really hard to pick which 'one' to get. I also still need to get some of the equipment and sort out a few issues.

Like well lurking and reading a bunch of posts here the past few days I've seen a number of people mention that they like watching their snakes eat, or were so proud the first time their snake constricted. I am kind of worried that I'm not a good candidate for snake ownership after all as I would really rather not watch them eat. I mean of course I'll make sure they are eating OK and don't have any problems especially when little but its not something I would enjoy or look forward to. :shrugs:

Not to mention that I am still a bit iffy about the whole feeding part. I want to be 100% sure I can handle it before buying a snake. Rationally I know that its natural for snakes to eat mice and is just part of the whole ecological cycle of life. Emotionally however its another story. I think I could do the F/T food (if I can buy it from a place that raises and 'handles' the mice humanely.) I'm hoping feeding F/T food will be something that you just get used to. Like washing and cooking a chicken. The first time I cooked a chicken I could barely touch it, now its nothing to wash and cut one up. But then store bought chickens don't have cute furry little faces. I promise I'm not crazy, At least I don't think I am. LOL

So anyway I'm from Wisconsin and have a tendency to be long winded. (as you could probably guess) LOL I just hope I don't end up annoying anyone with a bunch of silly newbie questions.

 

[Dave123]

Hello and Welcome to the Forums!!! (Even though you have been here a LONG time! Haha).

Sounds like you have done your research and I think you would be great with a snake!

We will be glad to answer your questions...its better to ask then to guess.

See you around!

 

[dionythicus]

You'll get used to handling F/T mice. You don't have to watch your snake eat. Just put the mouse in and walk away. Check on it every 15-30 mins and take the mouse out if the snake doesn't eat it within a few hours (or overnight).

I make comments on the F/T mice that I get, like "Oh, that's a nice black and tan" or "You're a cutie" because I can appreciate their beauty as an animal and I appreciate their life going to feed my snake. I love pet mice and rats. I get my mice from the breeder so I know how they are treated and euthanized. The first time I brained a pink for a stubborn hatchling, I was all, "Eeeww!" Now its nothing.

I think you're on the right track.

 

[Cat_Eyed_Lady]

hello from another person in wisconsin

 

[Msterry]

Hi and welcome RavenWolf. Its seems strange that our storys are a bit alike. I found this site after ordering my candy cane from Rich in july or aug of 05. I too to did'nt post until recently.
I also had concerns if i could handle feeding a snake. The mice sure can be cute but my snake needed to eat to live so i had to get use to it.
I also could not look at them feeding. I am a bit better about that now but still prefer not to watch. I just ck quick to see if they are done.

My story is diff in the fact that i was absoulty petrefied of snakes. I mean that literally not figureity. I froze stiff til someone shook me out of it. Daughter had snakes so slow but surely i became desentized. Only took about 20 years. lol
I know you will be able to handle the feeding. Like me just don't look. lol It does get easier with time.....Good luck from a felllow wisconsinite

 

[Cat_Eyed_Lady]

Just be glad you dont have to lug home a dead 20 pound rabbit and try to explain That one to little kids in the store when you are at checkout... :eek1: atleast mice are small and you can kinda hide it or put it in a little baggie to get it home

 

[Eremita]

Long-winded but a lurker, eh?

Though we may sit forty years underground without speaking, when we do come out into the light of day and break out we talk and talk and talk ....​

(Notes from the Underground)

Just kidding . Congratulations on your upcoming hobby! Having just posted a feeding photo thread, I feel a bit self-conscious after reading your post. I will say that I was not particularly focused on feeding when I ordered my corn. However, my wife made a point of watching him eat, and so it became a ritual for us, and I admit there is something fascinating about the whole process to me. I know Dean (Roy Munson), who is one of our more prolific authors, never watches them eat either, and he is not alone in that.

As for the mice, I think if you stick to FT it is pretty mundane. And while I admit I've never kept pet rodents, we have all kinds of folks on the board here and I haven't seen anyone who didn't adjust immediately when the time came. You could always buy a pinky at your local pet shop and thaw it to see how it went before you got a snake. It may seem wasteful, but if you ever have a food refusal you'll wind up in the same boat.

Anyway, welcome to a long-time member and please post pictures when you get your new snake!

-Sean

 

[jazzgeek]

Hey, 'Sconsin, represent!!

Greetings and welcome (or welcome back, as the case may be) to the forum from another Badger.

If you can hold off on your purchase, you'll find a huge selection of corns to choose from at the NARBC show in Tinley Park (suburban Chicago) in October. There's a whole slew of us corny folk who get together for dinner on Saturday evening, and hilarity ensues, usually at my expense (the hilarity, not the dinner

).

Are you interested in any particular morph at this time?

regards,
jazz

 

[rolandslf]

Back

Hi, Welcome back.
After reading your post I see you as a lover of all animals. I breed mice and rats for my snakes and have learnt to see them as food and not cute or pets.
You will eventually get used to seeing your snake eat, my 5 year old grandaughter always watches my snakes eat but then again she has been exposed to the hobby from birth virtually. When walking into a Pet Shop she will get to the Rodent section and innocently and often to the horror of other people in the shop ,ask, " Pappa are you going to buy food for the snakes ".
Enjoy the Forum.

Ciao