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Need some major help, I'm a noob!

A

Astros4Life

New member
Hi all, I've decided to get me a corn snake and I am a total rookie with caring for snakes. I've been doing a lot of research on this forum and other sources about care and things I need for the habitat/etc.

I have several questions I hope I can get answered before I pursue any further, and forgive me if these are totally silly questions to you all, but for me, it's things I need to know that I don't know.

1. I've been searching around for over an hour and still can't find an aquarium that is suitable for the snake. What I would LOVE is for someone to find one they really like and use and just post the link to it for me so I can get an idea.

2. I'm planning on getting a baby snake, so what do I need to keep him in and for how long? I have heard that I should not keep him in the 20 gallon tank (the tank I hope someone posts is 20 gallons) because it's too big and they get scared in them. So what do I need to buy to keep him in and for how long do I need to keep him in it? Also, do I need heating pads/etc in that as well?

3. I was planning on getting the aspen bed stuff, but I should NOT feed the snake inside the cage with this stuff in it right? Since I'm new, should I just use newspaper? Also, if I do feed the snake outside the tank, I read that you aren't supposed to handle your snake for 2 days after they eat, well how am I supposed to get him back in the cage? Is it okay to do that?

4. I cannot find the right hide or water bowl. I've searched for an hour and can't seem to find any, can someone post a link to some they really like and would be good for a corn snake?

5. The heating thing worries me, I am ordering the Zoo-Med Reptitherm pad http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyID=6353 but I am unsure if I should. I live in Houston,Texas, so it gets warm down here, my house stays around 80 degrees. Is there a way to control the heating to get it just around 90 or should I not use one or what?

6. The frozen mice. I don't have a pet store close to me, so I'll be ordering all the mice on the internet. Is this a normal thing to do? How do they ship frozen mice? Also, I only have 1 freezer, do you just stick the mice in the freezer with all your food???? Seems like it would be kinda nasty and unsanitary to do that. How exactly do I thaw the mouse out and how long does it take to thaw? Also, how long do I need to use small mice? How will I know when to get bigger mice/etc? This is my most important concern.

I think there are more, but these questions will really help soothe my mind if you can help me out with these. I appreciate any help. Thanks.
 
Hey Astros. Congrats on doing research! While you're at it, have you picked up a copy of the cornsnake manual by Kathy and Bill Love? (actually, I guess the new editions are called "Corn Snakes : The Comprehensive Owner's Guide") Most any decent store or show will have copies somewhere, though you can also buy it through their site http://www.cornutopia.com/

1) As far as I know, the only requirement for housing is that it be escape proof. An aquarium with a locking lid is fine. If you can find one that's supposed to be a terrarium, fantastic, if petsmart ought to have mesh lids and clamps for the standard sizes. If you can find the cool front-opening custom cages, even better, but I've had little luck finding any that weren't 4x the price of an equivalently sized aquarium. I've heard the minimum size for adults is a 20gal long, I personally prefer 50 gals, when possible.

2) I don't see any problem housing a baby in a big tank. If appropriate hides are provided the baby shouldn't get scared. The only problem I can see is finding the bugger, but it should be possible!

3) Aspen bedding should be fine. Make sure it's not pine; that stuff is sticky and can clog up their nose. There's one that's toxic, too, cedar I believe? It's always a good idea to feed in a separate container, if only so your snake doesn't associate opening the lid with food! Also to prevent them from accidentally eating the substrate and getting digestion problems. It's totally fine to move them back to their home when they're finished; just don't *play* with them for a few days!

4) I use creme brule dishes from walmart for a waterbowl XD And cut up kleenex boxes for hides (or, with babies, smaller boxes and cardboard tubes). The only things that matter are that the waterbowl be fairly wide and hard to tip over (also, not so shallow that all the water evaporates within a day or two!), and that the hides be fairly easy to extract the snake from and cleanable. A hide with lots of loops and inner crevaces the snake can wedge itself into is probably a bad idea! Beyond that, it's up to your personal aesthetics.

5) The heat pad should be fine... you can add a rheostat (aka "dimmer switch" - you can buy one at any hardware store) for extra control. It won't automatically adjust the temperature, but you'll have to look at a thermometer and figure out if you want to up and reduce the juice. However, as long as the pad doesn't burn to touch, and you have a cool place (with a hide!), the temperature specifics shouldn't be too much of a problem. The snake will not sit on the hot spot if it's too hot!

6) I buy mice online! Shipping is expensive, so you want to buy enough to last a few months (I usually feed 2-3 properly sized prey a week). They ship overnight in a box with dry ice. I do just stick my mice in the freezer... it's not any more unsanitary than any other raw meat, to my knowledge, and they stay in bags. However, I am going to get a separate freezer soon since I usually have *a lot* of mice, and I may have roomates soon. (you could also wrap them in foil to keep from squicking people out)
I like to thaw in warm/hot water in a plastic bag. I usually let them thaw an hour, but that's cuz I like to run off and do stuff. THey're done thawing when you can squeeze the prey and not feel any hard or cold lumps.
What size food? The rule of thumb I know of is not more than 2x as thick as the body. A baby snake should get pinky mice!
 
first of all.... relax :) I am new to the threads and I am sure you will get lots of answers but I will put in my 2 cents :)

first.. for little ones I use either a 5 or 10 gallon tank but the most important part is that you get one with a locking top because little ones can get out of spaces we cant even see. a 10 gallon tank is abit better in my opinion because they do grow fast but a 10 will last you quite awhile before you need to get a 20 (lock top there too). for babies I use either aspen or pine (if I can get some that isnt too dusty) they love to crawl around in it and burrow into it. I do NOT feed inside my snakes homes.. reason? I have anywhere between a hatchling corn to a 16 foot burm so I always take everyone out to feed. I used glad wear type for most of my smaller snakes (makeing sure the tops are on well) and have them in a room where I can always keep an eye on them (but not bothering them) I usually wait about 30 minutes After they have the prey down to Gently scoop them out and put them away. The older they get the easier it is because they are used to you. Little ones... handle as little as possible as you put it away. As for a hide... just about anything can work. Papertowel rolls, clay pots, 1/2 wooden logs (boughten), even a small kleenex box can work... doesnt have to be something fancy, just needs to be a place they feel secure. What I use is 1/2 coconut shells and then the 1/2 logs. for water you can use just about anything too... for my babies I use condiment cups (walmart) and as they grow I use heavy glass or crock bowls (dog section at pet store) so they cant tip them over. for heat? hmmmm your house seems pretty warm already but you might want to try some heat source on one end for helping in digestion but not over 90... For my larger snakes and lizards I usually use an over head heat source but for babies (since they like to burrow to the bottom) I use a heating pad on low (always keep an eye on temps, dont want anyone getting a burn). I have been raiseing my own mice but now that my collection is growing by 13 snakes.... I will be ordering online and there are alot of ppl who order Frozen mice. They ship them in insolated boxes with dry ice. Some have seperate freezers for their mice.... me? I just have them in double freezer bags in my freezer or ice cream containers (keeps ppl out of the ice cream ;)) You thaw mice (for me) in a small sandwich bag and place them in a cup of hot (not boiling) water and place another cup of hot water on top.... pinkies take about 10 minutes and adult take about 20 minutes. Make sure they are totally thawed out and warm before you give it to your snake. The size mouse depends totally on the size of the snake but the rule of thumb is you can feed a prey item that is 1 to 1.5 times the size of the biggest part of your snake. Any other questions just ask because there are Many ppl around here to help :) Hope I helped you in some small way :)
 
Astros4Life said:
1. I've been searching around for over an hour and still can't find an aquarium that is suitable for the snake. What I would LOVE is for someone to find one they really like and use and just post the link to it for me so I can get an idea.
2. I'm planning on getting a baby snake, so what do I need to keep him in and for how long? I have heard that I should not keep him in the 20 gallon tank (the tank I hope someone posts is 20 gallons) because it's too big and they get scared in them. So what do I need to buy to keep him in and for how long do I need to keep him in it? Also, do I need heating pads/etc in that as well?

3. I was planning on getting the aspen bed stuff, but I should NOT feed the snake inside the cage with this stuff in it right? Since I'm new, should I just use newspaper? Also, if I do feed the snake outside the tank, I read that you aren't supposed to handle your snake for 2 days after they eat, well how am I supposed to get him back in the cage? Is it okay to do that?

4. I cannot find the right hide or water bowl. I've searched for an hour and can't seem to find any, can someone post a link to some they really like and would be good for a corn snake?

5. The heating thing worries me, I am ordering the Zoo-Med Reptitherm pad http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyID=6353 but I am unsure if I should. I live in Houston,Texas, so it gets warm down here, my house stays around 80 degrees. Is there a way to control the heating to get it just around 90 or should I not use one or what?

6. The frozen mice. I don't have a pet store close to me, so I'll be ordering all the mice on the internet. Is this a normal thing to do? How do they ship frozen mice? Also, I only have 1 freezer, do you just stick the mice in the freezer with all your food???? Seems like it would be kinda nasty and unsanitary to do that. How exactly do I thaw the mouse out and how long does it take to thaw? Also, how long do I need to use small mice? How will I know when to get bigger mice/etc? This is my most important concern.

I think there are more, but these questions will really help soothe my mind if you can help me out with these. I appreciate any help. Thanks.
Click to expand...

A ten will work for a couple years, agree it is advice to buy one a locking lid, little snakes love to climb and try to escape.
The snake does best with a gradient temp 80-85 warm side 70-75 cool, so may not need the pad right now. The goes under the tank on one side.
Water bowls I use dog water bowls from wal-Mart, the ones with the hand openings on the side, this seconds as a hide as the snake can crawl under there to sleep. Other hides caves made stones scrubbed and baked, the I buy vines at dollar store to cover, upside down clay pots even if they are broken, tp tubes. /aspen is a good bedding.
 
Thank you both for your answers. I just ordered the book you mentioned and will read that as soon as it gets here. The reason I'm doing so much research and kind of racking my brain a bit with this is because the last thing I would want is to hurt the snake because I didn't do my homework. Snake doesn't deserve that.

Thank you for your help.
 
I'd recommend a thermostat to control the heat source, snakes can and will sit too long on a high temperature and get thermal burns if the temp isn't regulated
 
diamondlil said:
I'd recommend a thermostat to control the heat source, snakes can and will sit too long on a high temperature and get thermal burns if the temp isn't regulated
Click to expand...

I was going to buy a digital thermometer with probe, as was mentioned in a care guide I read. Is that good enough?
 
Not really, the thermometer measures the temps, a thermostat controls them, you really need both
 
Fizzlefry22 said:
Hi and welcome to the forums! Out of curiosity, have you read the FAQ here? :
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28341

If not, you will find a ton of useful information here... :cheers:
Click to expand...

Hi and thanks! Yes I have read the FAQ at least 5 times. Learned a lot from it and some great info in it. I still cannot find an aquarium to use online. For some reason it's really difficult to find one without all the fish stuff with it.

Since people mentioned I would only need a 10 gallon tank for a couple of years, I think I will go with that, but it's been impossible for me to find one online.
 
I'll tell you something that should also make you feel better.
I am a 16 year old little girl and have had my corn for over a year now perhaps even closer to two, and I have had close to zero problems even before I found this forum! Stick with the cages you feel are safest. Mine is one with two locks on it, one slides back and locks in the back and the other is simply sticking a nail through a whole that holds the lid from being able to slide. I've gotten no problems what so ever out of it. I started with a 20 gallon but by the time I got my little love she was already 2 years of age so perhaps smaller? The watering dish and hidey hole were both bought with the fake plants and tree limbs at the same pet store, since you said you had none around you can defenitely order them from places like petland (bad with their other animals but their birds and reps are very healthy) or petsmart (all animals bought there have lived long healthy lives). now onto the bottom, I'm not an expert but I do use small wood chips that my snake seems to really enjoy to crawl around in, it's also though not as easy to pick up the droppings she leaves behind as much as I heard aspen is. As for heating, I also live in Texas only in Dallas, our temps get up to around 95-99 degrees here but you don't want to hurt yourself by keeping your house that temp just for the snake, the lamps do fine and its easy to move it farther or closer to the cage as the heat is needed. Have you also thought about buying a gage for heat and humidity? because as much as they need the heat they also need to humidity for easy and healthy sheds. I buy frozen mice but mine come from a store(petsmart) and they come in these little containers so you see nothing, perhaps if it bothers you you can look to hide them in a small box or something.
As I stated I'm far far from being an expert but my snake seems very happy and healthy and hasn't had any major problems at all with these things. You also very much need the corn snake book already suggested written by Bill and Kathy Love, I found their books helped me greatly over the year/s and I don't know what I would have done without it since I had yet to find this forum.
Good luck with everything and please feel free to post pictures(hinthint) of your new baby when you get it. I'd love to see what you choose!
 
 
Hello and welcome! I think everyone else has given you pretty much some great advise! So good luck getting your first baby and enjoy the forums!
 
Astros4Life said:
1. I've been searching around for over an hour and still can't find an aquarium that is suitable for the snake. What I would LOVE is for someone to find one they really like and use and just post the link to it for me so I can get an idea.
Click to expand...

http://www.pets-warehouse.com/Vpasp/shopexd.asp?id=91465

Astros4Life said:
2. I'm planning on getting a baby snake, so what do I need to keep him in and for how long? I have heard that I should not keep him in the 20 gallon tank (the tank I hope someone posts is 20 gallons) because it's too big and they get scared in them.
Click to expand...

I've put a few small (couple months old) snakes in 20Ls and they've been fine. IMO, a 10 is a waste of time. The snakes outgrow the tiny hides you can fit in there _so_ fast. You can only put in a small water dish. There is not much room for creative branches and vines and plants. Just go with a 20 an put in lots of cover.

Astros4Life said:
3. I was planning on getting the aspen bed stuff, but I should NOT feed the snake inside the cage with this stuff in it right? Since I'm new, should I just use newspaper? Also, if I do feed the snake outside the tank, I read that you aren't supposed to handle your snake for 2 days after they eat, well how am I supposed to get him back in the cage? Is it okay to do that?
Click to expand...

Use aspen. They love burrowing in it and it is super easy to clean. To feed the snake, put holes in a small plastic container. You don't want it to be too roomy- the point is for the snake to have nothing to think about except the prey he's stuck in there with. Feeding in a separate container gives you a chance to spot clean the viv and change the water without the snake being there.

Astros4Life said:
5. The heating thing worries me, I am ordering the Zoo-Med Reptitherm pad http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyID=6353 but I am unsure if I should. I live in Houston,Texas, so it gets warm down here, my house stays around 80 degrees. Is there a way to control the heating to get it just around 90 or should I not use one or what?
Click to expand...

AS others have suggested, you need a thermostat and a thermometer. A thermometer with a probe is ideal.

Astros4Life said:
6. The frozen mice. I don't have a pet store close to me, so I'll be ordering all the mice on the internet. Is this a normal thing to do? How do they ship frozen mice? Also, I only have 1 freezer, do you just stick the mice in the freezer with all your food???? Seems like it would be kinda nasty and unsanitary to do that. How exactly do I thaw the mouse out and how long does it take to thaw? Also, how long do I need to use small mice? How will I know when to get bigger mice/etc? This is my most important concern.
Click to expand...

I keep my mice in ziplock bags, in a square Tupperware container. This stops freezer burn. Just divide them into baggies of say 10. They take up hardly any room at all. Only takes a minute or two to thaw the mouse in a bowl with running hot water. Feed a mouse that is 1 to 1.5 times as big as the widest part of your snake. When it no longer leaves a lump, and the snake is out prowling for food within 24 hours, increase the size. The frozen mice are (should be!) just as clean as anything else you have in your freezer. For sure much cleaner than raw chicken!!

Nanci
 
Sounds like you have gotten some great advice already!

I wanted to add that there is usually a nice medium sized show in Houston in early Sept. I won't be able to go this year (I went last year), but Don Soderberg (South Mtn. Reptiles) usually goes, and there will probably be lots of cages and other supplies there too (and lots of live herps too).

Even if you get most of your supplies before then, it will be a great education on what is available for the future. And you can always go to drool over Don's beautiful corns even if you are not still in the market for one by then. Looks like he will be giving a talk about corns too. Corns are addictive, so you will probably want another one before you know it.

Here is the link to the show:
http://www.eths.org/septemberconference.html

Good luck!
 
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