Is this a good setup for a baby corn?

[sketch1]

Hi there everybody.


I'm planning on getting my first corn snake pretty soon.
I've pretty much decided on a motley sunglow from the snakeroom. They're just goregous!

We already have a baby ball python who seems very happy, but it really belongs to my girlfriend.
She got me hooked and now I want a slithering friend of my own!

Anyway, This is what I have set up for the snake so far.

10 gallon tank w/ screened lid and locking clips.
Cobra 10-20 gal heat mat
Lights(just incandescents)
2 hide boxes
climbing branch
water dish
repti-bark substrate

When it gets bigger it's getting a bigger tank.
I'm just wondering if this is a good set up for a baby.

The temp in the heated end is about 76.
I'll need to set up a basking light, as this is not warm enough I think.

Attatched is a pic of the tank.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Snakelova4eva]

looks

Great I have two yearlings in a 35 gallon tnak a hide cave and a piece of bark for them to hide under ohh cant forget the branch

 

[poccodiablo]

red bulbs

Instead of a basking bulb.. since corns don't need them. Use a red heat bulb to raise the temp a bit. This light can be left on 24/7 since your corn can't see the red light. Plus you will be able to see you snake moving around at night.

Jeff

 

[Jay Mc]

Get more clips! I see only a clip at each end of that tank, if that's all you have you'll need at least two, if not four more (and maybe some weight). Trust me I learned the hard way they can get out real easy.

The heat might be all right on the hot side, don't trust a stick on thermometer on the side of the tank, mine also says 76 though though the substrate is 85+ measured with a laser thermometer.

 

[sketch1]

Thanks Guys!

Thanks guys, for your responses.

My new little girl is coming tomorrow, I can hardly wait!!

I went and got 4 more clips for the lid.

I'm still a little concerned about the temp. on the warm side.
I got a new bulb for the overhead lighting, once I realized one was burned out. That has brought it up a (very) little bit.
What would be the best way to check the temp?

Unfortunately, I can't get a laser therm. at this time, my fish's new filter is next on the list of expensive pet supplies..

I'm thinking of going and getting the red light, as poccodiablo suggested, I just don't want to fry her. It is only a 10-gallon after all.

Any ideas?

Once again, thanks to everyone who has helped me out and thanks in advance to anyone who will help me out in the future!!!

 

[13mur 6]

Just as a practice point of view, I would dump the bark chips into a nice plastic bag and set it aside and use paper towel bedding for a month or so. This hielps you monitor the snake more thoroughly (this may be a bit of a downside in the asthetics department). But it'll give you peace of mind knowing when you snake poops, what the poop looks like (don't forget to run that first fecal off to the vet), when (if) your snake regurges, also mites are more easily detectable. I'm assuming this is the only snake you will have, but proper quarantine measures are advisable no matter where the animal is from (saves you lotsa trouble in the long run and having a healthy fear of incoming pathogens is healthy for you pets/collections).

Also, not to scare you or anything, but small chips of wood type bedding can be hazardous to your snake if he happens to swallow even a small piece. A few people on this forum have lost their snakes to bark enjambment and GI tract perforation. From the looks of it, the bark chips you have are really big, so I don't think he'll swallow any of those as long as all of them are that big.

Hope that helps, good luck.

-13mur 6

 

[13mur 6]

Oh temps!

You can get a cheap temp probe from any hardware store or radioshack for $10 or less. They're fairly accurate and the nicer ones keep track of temps and have alarms even. They're almost like a big oversized digital watch with a wire sticking out, and you place the wire's end where you want to monitor temps.

-13mur 6

 

[wheeler78]

i personaly use a "night light" (it looks like a black light) for heating w/ a heat pad under the tank. also you can pick up a really cheap therm. at radio shack the one close to me sells really nice ones for like 10-15 buck not to bad. i wouldn't worry to much bout the new corn eating the substrate i use the same stuff for both of mine and they are fine but if a more experanced person comes and says that they arn't good the trsh the idea i like the idea of useing paper towel for a few weeks the moveing to rep. bark. other than that it looks like a wonderfull home. BTW you think up a name yet?

 

[sketch1]

Thanks for the help!

That's a good idea about the paper towels.

Actually, this is not my only snake.
I also have a young ball python.
So I will definitely use the quarantine procedures to make sure nothing is transferred between the two.

Luckily, the bark chips are fairly large, so hopefully they won't be a big problem when I put them back in!!
It's Repti-bark, if that helps you visualize the size at all.

I was planning on feeding her in a seperate container, is this a good idea?

Thanks for the tips on the thermometers, I'm going by Radio Shack after work!

What is a good temp. gradient for a baby corn?

Also, thanks for the "nightlight" idea, that sounds like it would work perfectly.

I was waiting to come up with a name until I saw her, but I'm always open to suggestions!!

Thanks again for all the help! You guys are great!!

 

[CrazyCorn]

I was planning on feeding her in a seperate container, is this a good idea?

note: make sure there is no bedding in the feeding chamber: that is the best thing you can do for a snake, it helps in more ways than one, such as it help prevent consuption of bedding and other objects and it teachs them to bite if you dont do this. as for heating i think the low 80's are good.

 

[13mur 6]

Yep feeding in a separate container is a definite plus as CrazyCorn stated.

Temp gradient of 75 deg F on the low end and 85 deg F on the high end is pretty good. I usually just heat the warm end to 85 and just leave the cool end be (which usually ends up around 75 anyway, or cooler or warmer depending on room temp, but make sure it doesn't approach the 80's). That 85 deg F target warmside is critical for new snakes, and old timers alike. Stressed snakes need warmer temps to heal themselves. Also you'll most likely find your snake hanging out on the warm side after a big meal (it really sucks to have a rotten mouse in your snake's stomach because temps weren't warm enough).

-13mur 6

 

[sketch1]

I think I will definitely stick with feeding in a seperate container, with no substrate. That's how I do it for my Ball python also.

Thanks for the tips concerning temps, Its about 78 on the hot side now, so I think a small "night light" should get it right about where I want it. (around 85)


She arrived on Tues. so I'll have to get busy!!
I'll post pics as soon as she stops hiding long enough for me to take some!! Attatched is a pic of her mother(or father, im not sure..) to tide ya over!!

Thanks to everyone for their help!!

 

[sketch1]

Hi again!!

Well, i went out this weekend and got 2 new thermometers, a hygrometer(sp?), a small basking fixture w/ a 60 watt "night light", and The Corn Snake Manual.

She seems to like it much better. She actually comes out at night now for a little basking!!

My temps are now about 75 on the colder end and about 86 on the hot side. Humidity is about 50-55%

She ate her first meal with me last night. in a seperate container.
She ate with no hesitation, so I took that as a plus!!

Thanks again you guys for the great tips and all your help!!

One last ? that I was wondering...What % of humidity is best for corns?

 

[sketch1]

It's been a while now, but she's doing great.

She's grown quite a bit over the past several months.

Her yellow is starting to come in, which is making all of her other colors bloom

She eats regularly for me, seems very happy.

Temps stay constant.

Thanks for everyone who helped me with this, thanks to you she's doing great.

BTW....I got a great deal on a $ 250 tank, I got it for 50, so she's in there now. Its a large Chamelon tank, but she's doing fine in there for now(Until i decide to get a chameleon...lol)

When I get the chance, I will post updated pics.

 

[clumsly]

yes thats a good cage setup.