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Heating and Cooling

C

cloudburst00

New member
Hi,

I haven't purchased my snake yet. I've bought an aquarium and stuff. I haven't been able to find a breeder in my area and I'm afraid of shipping because I live in a rural area that doesn't receive mail. (USPS provides a post office box in the nearest large town.) Sometimes fedex can find my house, sometimes they cannot. Any advice there is welcome as well ;)

I have a question about heating. I'd like to keep my snake in my office. It is warm, usually around 80 during the day and 72 at night. Do I still need to provide heating? Won't that make my snake too hot? Is humidity going to be a concern? I'm not trying to cheap out by not buying a heater, I don't want to over heat him.

During the summer, my office runs around 90-100 degrees with a drop to 80. What will I do for cooling?

Thank you,

Megan
 
That temps seem pretty OK, maybe a bit cooler than they should, but you still should get heating. What if there is some problem and temperature severely drops for a long time? If your snake has eaten recently it could cause a regurge, which is pretty complicated for any snake. Is your office at home?, because if not, problems may happen when not there.
In order not to burn your snake you should use a thermostat along with the heating (it's a must have), so, if for the most part of the day the temps are OK, the thermostat will prevent the heating from turning on, and it will not consume power anyway.
For corns, room humidity is usually OK (between 40-60%). If for long periods of time it's higher you should ventilate more, and if lower you can slightly mist the vivarium.
About cooling that is more of a concern. AC is usually used or the full tank is moved to a cooler place, but if you don't have one or can't move it, as me, you can use frozen water bottles protected with and old sock. Of course, you'll have to change them regularly, so it's something you want to consider well. Maybe take snake home in summer?

Can't help you with shipping, though, sorry. I'm not from the USA.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new snakey you'll get.
 
He or she is going to live in my home office. I bought thermometers and humidity gauges already.

Second question. What's the difference between small animal aspen and snake aspen? (I just noticed bought the wrong one).

I have a cermamic cat bowl that is almost identical to the water dish I bought. It's got a slow incline, I don't think would be possible for him or her to get stuck in it. I was wondering about it just in case I break the one I bought and can't make it to town in a timely manner.
 
A thermometer and a thermostat is not the same. Thermometer and hygrometer measure heat/humidity, and the thermostat regulates the temps of the heating system. You need one, or it'll get too hot and could burn your snake. Dolly'sMom (another user) said on another thread this thermostat is widely used by some folks here, is pretty cheap and works well. Maybe you wanna take a look at it: http://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-ETL-Ce...6708268&sr=8-1&keywords=jump+start+thermostat

I think the difference is that the small animal aspen are big but flat pieces that curl somewhat, and the snake aspen is more like small splinters and is usually dust free. IDK about the dust in the other, but I think it's OK anyway. The snake aspen holds the shape of the tunnels when the snakes burrow, but the other one won't. Not a thing to worry, you can use this bag, then try the other and see which one you like more.

Bowls should depend on the size of your snake, but they can climb anywhere, you'll se in time. If the bowl is big and you fear of it drowning, just put less water. It should be able to soak, but tha'ts all. When he grows you put more water, that's all. But anyway, anything will make a good bowl. Lots of people use dog bowls, ashtrays, small deli cups, etc, so you can use anything you have in an emergency.
 
your office is 90 to 100 in the summer? That could be too hot for a corn snake. In the wild they will search out cool areas to hide out when it gets that hot. A snake in a cage can not do that, he will have to endure it.

The ideal temps for a corn snake are about 82 to 88 degrees for proper digestion of their food. (Most of us split the difference and opt for about 85). But then they also like a cooler spot. It's better to give the snake a choice. If he wants to warm up he can crawl over to the heat pad and feel the 85 degree heat. And if he wants to cool off he can go to the other side of the tank away from the heat pad and cool off.

To put a corn snake in a cage and expose him to 90 to 100 degree temps is cruel in my opinion.

If you can't do it right, maybe you should wait a while until you can.
 
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