MelRoxUrSox
New member
Hey my name is Melissa and I live in Newfoundland. I just bought my first corn snake today. He is a little Hypo corn and I named him Gimli. I will post a picture of him soon!
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hi everyone!
- Thread starter MelRoxUrSox
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MelRoxUrSox
New member
I am bringing him home today! Had to get the terrarium set up first.
How do you guys defrost the frozen pinky mice? All I know is that they shouldn't be microwaved hahaha
How do you guys defrost the frozen pinky mice? All I know is that they shouldn't be microwaved hahaha
juliegarner
New member
hello and welcome. I defrost mine in a cup of boiling water,
it only takes a few minutes
it only takes a few minutes
Joba
New member
I defrost in warm water for a half-hour or so, depending on the size of the rodent. Then I dump it and add very hot water for a few minutes right before feeding in order to present a warm body to the snake.
Also, many around these parts believe it best to leave them alone and not try to handle or feed for a week to ten days after bringing them home.
Also, many around these parts believe it best to leave them alone and not try to handle or feed for a week to ten days after bringing them home.
Justine66
Cuddling with Colubrids<3
hello and welcome from a felow Canadian! 
joba^^^^^ just gave you some of the best advice you could ask for when it comes to keeping snakes!
I 2nd Letting the little one settle in for 7 days before any handling is attempted, that way theirs a smaller chance of them refusing to eat for you, it makes a bug difference!
Congrats on the new Baby, but ill warn you now.. corns are a gateway snake.. you can't just have one!
joba^^^^^ just gave you some of the best advice you could ask for when it comes to keeping snakes!
I 2nd Letting the little one settle in for 7 days before any handling is attempted, that way theirs a smaller chance of them refusing to eat for you, it makes a bug difference!
Congrats on the new Baby, but ill warn you now.. corns are a gateway snake.. you can't just have one!
MelRoxUrSox
New member
I <3 my little cornsnake!
Finally managed to upload pictures of Gimli!
He hasn't been moving around very much but I assume that this is normal because he is probably a bit scared?
I haven't been handling him so hopefully he will become more comfortable.
I have been using a 100W red light bulb in his heat lamp. I thought maybe a heating pad might be better but I have heard a lot of negative feed back on them.
Also, online it says to use aspen chips for substrate but when I was buying stuff at the pet store the lady helping me told me it was good to use plantation soil, which comes in big dried blocks that you add water to. What do you guys find is best?
Thanks for all of the advice so far!
Finally managed to upload pictures of Gimli!
He hasn't been moving around very much but I assume that this is normal because he is probably a bit scared?
I haven't been handling him so hopefully he will become more comfortable.
I have been using a 100W red light bulb in his heat lamp. I thought maybe a heating pad might be better but I have heard a lot of negative feed back on them.
Also, online it says to use aspen chips for substrate but when I was buying stuff at the pet store the lady helping me told me it was good to use plantation soil, which comes in big dried blocks that you add water to. What do you guys find is best?
Thanks for all of the advice so far!
Attachments
Justine66
Cuddling with Colubrids<3
and I also recommend using a UTH regulated by a thermostat, instead of the heatlamp..
for a few reasons-
1. a regulated UTH wont over heat in anyway, and fires and short outs are extreamly rare!
I read that one person on here has used over 50 of them over the years, and only had I think one break on her.. If i remember corecctly.
2. corn snakes are crepecelular/nocturnal by nature, and having a bright light be their only means of getting heat really doesn't make any sence, your corn will be much happier and he may even venture out more if that bright light were gone, you can always just put in a white light that doesn't give off any heat, on a timer.. that way you can still see your tank if you wish, but most corn keepers don't use any type of lighting at all.
3. and finally heat lamps dry the air out in tanks so you will find that your snake has problems shedding, removing the heat lamp again also helps a lot with humidity problems.
I hope all of this makes you feel better about using a UTH with a thermostat.
for a few reasons-
1. a regulated UTH wont over heat in anyway, and fires and short outs are extreamly rare!
I read that one person on here has used over 50 of them over the years, and only had I think one break on her.. If i remember corecctly.
2. corn snakes are crepecelular/nocturnal by nature, and having a bright light be their only means of getting heat really doesn't make any sence, your corn will be much happier and he may even venture out more if that bright light were gone, you can always just put in a white light that doesn't give off any heat, on a timer.. that way you can still see your tank if you wish, but most corn keepers don't use any type of lighting at all.
3. and finally heat lamps dry the air out in tanks so you will find that your snake has problems shedding, removing the heat lamp again also helps a lot with humidity problems.
I hope all of this makes you feel better about using a UTH with a thermostat.
MelRoxUrSox
New member
I changed the substrate today to aspen bedding. It looked like some sort of mold was growing on the plantation soil. So I thought it was best to just play it safe and change it. I felt bad disturbing my little corn because he seemed to be gettipng more relaxed.
Do you guys use a separate tank to feed your snakes? I bought one of those $10 plastic beta fish tanks with a latchable lid to put my corn in while i changed the substrate. I suppose that would also work for feeding?
Thanks for all of the great replies!
Do you guys use a separate tank to feed your snakes? I bought one of those $10 plastic beta fish tanks with a latchable lid to put my corn in while i changed the substrate. I suppose that would also work for feeding?
Thanks for all of the great replies!
Joba
New member
Yes and yes. I've heard credible people argue against the whole separate-feeding-bin-to-avoid-cage-aggression theory. But I figure, as long as I'm only feeding a few snakes, why risk it. Plus it avoids the potential problems that could arise if your snake(s) ingests aspen. One thing I've learned is that there seems to be nearly as many different opinions and theories about snake care as there are snake keepers. Evaluate the credibility of your sources, distinguish fact from opinion, and make the best decision for your animals that you can based on what you find and what you know. It sounds like you're off to a good start!