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New Member and Snake Owner// Care Questions

I

ironicallyheda

New member
Hi! I am a new member, I joined because I have a love for snakes and will soon be getting a corn snake of my own. I have already purchased a 30 gallon tank but now I am wondering the best way to heat it.

I have heard that under tank heating pads can get too hot and burn the glass, but yet they are ideal for belly heat and digestion help.

What is the best way to properly heat the enclosure while maintaining a day/night schedule? I understand that there need to be a gradient with a warm side around 85 degrees F and a cool side around 75 F.

Also,I've also heard that feeding in a serperate enclosure is better. What should this enclosure consist of? (Heat wise, size, etc.)

I am extremely eager to learn and grow as a snake owner.

Thanks!!
 
Welcome to the forum!

Most people use a thermostat to keep the heat mat around 85-87 degrees. The cool side can just be room temperature. You don't really need to have a day/night schedule.

You do not have to feed in a separate container, but you certainly can. I prefer to feed my snakes in separate containers so that I can clean tanks and refill water while they're eating. The container does not have to have its own heat. For babies, an 8 ounce deli cup is perfect. You do not want the feeding container to be much bigger than the snake, especially if it's a baby. As the snake gets larger, you can move up to a sandwich container or other Tupperware. My adult corn snakes get fed in shoebox sized plastic tubs with lids. Just make sure to put air holes in your feeding container. A soldering iron is a great tool for that.

Are you going to be getting a baby or something older?
 
Congrats on wanting to get yourself a cornsnake, they are awesome little buddies. Hypnoctopus is right, you don't have to feed them in a separate container, but most people do because they fear the snake may ingest the bedding and get compacted. There are many ways to provide heat to your tank. The cheapest being just a heat lamp, also you can get a double heat lamp with day and night bulbs on a timer to assimilate day and night. Getting a thermostat is kind of pricey for a good one, but if you are worried about the heat mat burning anything then you'll need one. Also I have had bad experience with under tank heat mats falling off the tank and then there are some that get too stuck and crack the tank if you ever need to take it off. I used flexwatt to heat my tanks and still use it now that they are in their bins. It has a flame retardant coating as well and is cheaper/easier to replace if need be, this you definitely will need a thermostat for.
 
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