miamamma21
New member
Hello, everyone! I've used this site for research before, and it was very helpful, so I thought that I would come to ask for some advice on getting a new snake. (Just a little apologetic note: I write a lot, and I know that Internet people don't always like to read big, long descriptions, so if you want to skip the background, I've put my main questions in bold ^^ )
Up until recently, I was the proud owner of a baby amelanistic corn snake. I've always loved snakes, and the opportunity to own one was a dream come true. I researched corn snake care thoroughly, and I did everything I possibly could to make her healthy and happy - I kept her temperatures and humidity constant and within the right ranges, I gave her the right amount of substrate and cleaned it monthly, I changed her water often, I gave her places to hide and climb and bask, I fed her one pinky weekly, and I left her alone during shedding periods and for two days after she ate. She did vomit up a meal once during the early days, but I followed all the recommended treatments, and she was fine for the next few months.
However, I came downstairs one day to find her dead. As far as I can tell, the only thing that I did wrong was to buy her from PetSmart. There are no breeders in my area, and while many things I read warned against buying from retail stores, there were others that assured that it would be fine, so I bought from what appeared to be a good facility. Apparently, it wasn't enough - now I know that she may have been weak or sick since the start.
I was absolutely devastated after I lost her. I would still like to try keeping a snake again, though - I just need advice on how to proceed.
I was leery about the idea of ordering a snake offline when I was looking the first time, so I didn't consider it. Now, I recognize that's how most people get their snakes, including a friend who has had hers for many years now. Do you have any suggestions on reputable websites where I could order a snake from?
Another thing that I considered was going to a reptile show. Does anyone have experience with the Hamburg Reptile Show, and would it be a good place to find a breeder or buy a snake?
I would really appreciate any advice on getting a new snake that you lovely snake experts can give me. Thank you in advance!
Up until recently, I was the proud owner of a baby amelanistic corn snake. I've always loved snakes, and the opportunity to own one was a dream come true. I researched corn snake care thoroughly, and I did everything I possibly could to make her healthy and happy - I kept her temperatures and humidity constant and within the right ranges, I gave her the right amount of substrate and cleaned it monthly, I changed her water often, I gave her places to hide and climb and bask, I fed her one pinky weekly, and I left her alone during shedding periods and for two days after she ate. She did vomit up a meal once during the early days, but I followed all the recommended treatments, and she was fine for the next few months.
However, I came downstairs one day to find her dead. As far as I can tell, the only thing that I did wrong was to buy her from PetSmart. There are no breeders in my area, and while many things I read warned against buying from retail stores, there were others that assured that it would be fine, so I bought from what appeared to be a good facility. Apparently, it wasn't enough - now I know that she may have been weak or sick since the start.
I was absolutely devastated after I lost her. I would still like to try keeping a snake again, though - I just need advice on how to proceed.
I was leery about the idea of ordering a snake offline when I was looking the first time, so I didn't consider it. Now, I recognize that's how most people get their snakes, including a friend who has had hers for many years now. Do you have any suggestions on reputable websites where I could order a snake from?
Another thing that I considered was going to a reptile show. Does anyone have experience with the Hamburg Reptile Show, and would it be a good place to find a breeder or buy a snake?
I would really appreciate any advice on getting a new snake that you lovely snake experts can give me. Thank you in advance!
