New owner in the UK

[dyls1]

Hi Guys/Girls,

I have just joined the forum as I think I will be using it (your brains) a fair bit in the coming years.
I have just brought a CB13 caramel today for my daughters (12&4).
Although I (40) think I'l be doing most of the looking after him/her (don't know what sex he is but we don't really care) .
We haven't named snakey yet but we're leaning towards "Chewy".
He is due a feed today but I want to leave him alone as much as possible to adjust to his new home.
He is hiding under his bedding at the moment.
He had a good look around his faunarium on placing him then hid.
I want to try to feed him tomorrow but the feeding box/arena I have for him may be to shallow.!?

Anyway I'm sure I'll post more tomorrow once I get to do something with him.

Cheers Dyl

 

[dyls1]

I'm full of it.

I just couldn't wait.
I feed him.
He took it really well.
I put him back in his terrainium straight away.
He's now curled up against the side of the terrainium with his belly/head on top of his warm cave.
He's not hiding like I thought he would.








I think he's ready to go 5 days between meals and not 7 days(*) as he has been been for at least the last 4 weeks.(* so said breeder)
What do you guys thinks?

 

[smigon]

Hello, and welcome to the site! Have you done any reading on corn snakes? There are tons of information here, I have typed up some of the info that is most important for you now.

As for feeding, go by their weight. The older and heavier they get the less they need to be fed. Corns will eat almost every time you offer them a mouse, but they really need to be on a schedule that will keep them at a healthy weight. Too often and they will get fat, too far apart and they won't grow at a healthy pace.


Here is a good guide for feeding corns, when to move up in size of prey. Most of us here use it, some think it is a little aggressive for younger corns so there is room to wait until your baby gains even 5g more than the chart says. It is known as the Munson Plan.
http://www.medusa-corns.webs.com/feedingchart.htm

I suggest getting a digital scale if you don't already have one, you need to weigh your corn and the prey. Almost all corn info is taken in grams, this is one I recommend.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

On every topic on this site are "stickies" at the top of each page; they are extremely helpful hints and knowledge from the moderators or breeders who are on or run this site. Read them all.

Have you done any book reading about corns? If you haven't, take the time to get at least a couple of books on corns. Two of the best were written by members of this forum, and will get you in the know on everything corns.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...kathy+love+corn&rh=n:283155,k:kathy+love+corn

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...derberg+corn&rh=n:283155,k:don+soderberg+corn

I keep a journal on all my corns, I weigh each before feeding, look them over for any injuries or anything out of the ordinary, then feed. I record the date, the weight, what they ate (or didn't), when they are blue, when they shed and any other things to note.

In some books on the topic of heating your tank (which is a must since you don't live in the tropics!), they might mention heat lamps. This is a debated subject here, but I would not waste time or money on a heat lamp, go with a UTH (under tank heater). This will cover 1/3 of the bottom of your tank, and you MUST have a thermostat to regulate it, otherwise the UTH can reach temps that can harm your snake. Along with the UTH and thermostat you need a probe thermometer or infrared thermometer.

Corns use belly heat to help digestion, so a UTH with a thermostat is recommended over the lamp. It also costs less in the long run and is easier to maintain temps. It will help keep your humidity levels up too, since the lights tend to dry the viv out. You want to set the thermostat to about 87° so the top of the substrate on the warm side is 85° and the cool side (where you would keep the waterbowl) is around 75°.

I truly hope that this helps, and DO NOT be afraid to ask any questions. No stupid questions, only stupid owners who don't care enough to as the question. Also, the "search" button is awesome, it will lead you to links of questions already asked and you might find more information there as well.

 

[dyls1]

Thanks for the welcome smigon..

And thanks for all the helpful things I'll take from your post.
The main one is to weigh "Severus"..
I have some digital scales so I'll get onto that ASAP cheers.

I have read shed loads.
On here and other internet sources and I have a mate with a corn snake.
She was a great help as well.

His only history I have is that he has been feed one pinkie on Fridays.
That I know, is below what is stated everywhere.
I shall change that to every 5 days, and adjust that once I know weight of him and his feed. Thanks for the link on weight of snake versus feed etc.

I have started a little journal on him.
I am recording tempretures of his 'Viv' at the moment as well.
Also going to log when he poo's and wee's and get cleaned out.
But I will do what you say as well most derfinatly thanks.

I have a heat matt on a thermosat and a thermomter in the warm side and one in cool area so I know its calibrated to what he needs.
I agree with the 'no need for lamp' group of people so don't have one.

I am looking at a couple of books.
Your amazon links don't work for me but no worries I can get a couple for reading, no problems.

Thanks again smigon and thanks for my only welcome.

 

[hypnoctopus]

Sounds like you're on the right track! Cute little guy.

If you like recording things, you might like the iherp.com website. It has other features, but I mainly use it for recording feeds/sheds/etc.

 

[smigon]

Okay, I edited the books and Munson plan links, sorry about that! And weekends can be slow sometimes with the forum, this is getting into vacation time in the US so a lot of folks are out of town. Trust me, we love newbies and helping those who want help.

Enjoy!

 

[dyls1]

Thanks hypnoctopus I've book marked the site.
I had a little look at you snakes.. lots of cute looking babies.
I go back for more reading later.

Thanks again smigon the Munson link, it did work in your first post.
I will use that information to give me a more a better chance of giving Severus a the best life I can.
I have ordered a copy of 'Corn Snakes: The Comprehensive Owner's Guide by Kathy & Bill Love' and will get a copy of the other book soon. Thanks for the help.

 

[dyls1]

Which heat mat?

Quick couple questions.

1st
I have ordered a new home for Severus.
Its 24 inches long by 15 inches deep and 8 inches high.
Which heat matt would be best.
I have a
'Habistat Heat Mat 6x11 inch 7W' (almost 1/4 of his new home).
I have just ordered a
'Lucky Reptile Thermo Mat 15 x 11 Inch 20w' (almost 1/2 of his home).
I think I know the answer, I should have stuck with the 6x11.
I was just a little concerned that he wouldn't be able to get hot enough.
I have a thermostat and thermometers.

2nd
I have just weighed him and he's 23 grams.
The breeder was only giving him 1 pinkie every 7 days.
Going by the Munson scale above I think I'm going to give him 2 pinkies every 5 days until I get rid of the nine pinkies I have then move up to Sm. Fuzzie every 5 days.
Would this be right?

I only want what is best for the little fella.
Thanks in advance..

 

[Genlisae]

Hello!

I am still new to snakes myself and had a lot of these same questions! The 6w UTH (heat mat) will be fine, the 20w would also probably be fine just with a larger warn zone. Near as I can tell, so long as you don`t heat the entire bottom of the tank and there is a heat gradient, you are okay. I would stick with the 6w and put the 20w away for when you move him up to a bigger Viv ... or get a second snake

The Munson plan was developed to grow corn snake to breeding size quickly. Use it as a guide, a starting point, and adjust from there. Most adjust down (some by as much as 50% of the recommended mouse weight for their snake). That being said, you have come up with exactly the plan I would have so you are probably okay. I am told cutting slits in the back skin of the fuzzy for the first few feeds is helpful with digestion by letting the stomach acids get under the skin. Makes sense to me so we slit the first fuzzy and there were no issues at all.

You are doing fine. That little snake is in good hands

 

[Phruit Dish]

You want to keep the UTH spanning 1/4 to 1/3 of the bottom of your viv, according to everything I've seen. Stick with the smaller UTH. Believe me...it's capable of more heat than needed! You can keep the larger UTH for another snake, perhaps, or use it if/when you upgrade to an even bigger viv, as recommended above.

Bumping up to two pinkies every 5 days should pose no problem. Do make sure your corn has defecated before you feed again, though. Your corn will be digesting more food and you want to keep that in mind.

When I fed my corn her first fuzzy, I about had a heart attack watching her try to swallow it. It was bigger and it took longer. I was causing myself undue stress, however. Not only did she swallow it fine, she digested it without issue. The next feeding went smoother, and after that it was a non-issue. I would recommend slitting the first fuzzy or two to help the process along. I'll be doing that when I switch my corn to hoppers next week, for that same reason. I also make sure to keep stressors (extra noise, changes in routine) to a minimum in addition to the no handling rule during the digestion period as well, just as a precaution against regurges.

It sounds like you're on the right track! Good luck with the jump to feeding fuzzies, when you get there.

 

[dyls1]

Thanks to Genlisae and Phruit Dish.
I thought so (regards the heat matt).
Or well it was only a few quid, and Severus' health is worth shed loads more than £££.

I will take him onto a small fuzzy in a month then, (once the nine pinkies are used) cheers.
I will always leave him alone for the 48 hours after feeding.

He did have a little toilet after roughly 40 hours after feeding.
So I cleaned his viv' he seemed to like his nice clean home.
And my daughter (12) got to hold him for a few minutes (whilst I was cleaning) and he liked both her and I holding him much more than being weighed in his feeding arena/bowl.

I hear you about braining the food.
I read the thread on here about stabbing with a cocktail stick and slitting the head open.

Thanks for the kind words

 

[smigon]

Thanks to Genlisae and Phruit Dish.
I thought so (regards the heat matt).
Or well it was only a few quid, and Severus' health is worth shed loads more than £££.

BLESS YOU for saying that. We have people who go to the extreme to save a buck, usually resulting in disaster. If you can't afford it, don't get a pet!

I hear you about braining the food.
I read the thread on here about stabbing with a cocktail stick and slitting the head open.

I think "braining" has also changed meanings slightly, I call it braining but I just make slits in the skin (back and sides) so the juicy smell attracts the snake. I don't think exposing the actual brain is necessary, but please, more experienced folks chime in here!

And the mental picture of a pinky on a cocktail stick in a martini just came to my (sometimes sick) mind. Thanks for the laugh!

 

[dyls1]

If you can't afford it, don't get a pet!

I so agree.
But in more mays than just shear dosh/wonga/money there's time and effort etc.
People often say about looking after their kid (meaning dog or cat etc) I think that's rubbish I look after my kids with my life,.. much deeper in everyway.
A pet is a pet not ones own child, nothing like the same.
But in one sense yes the same as in if you haven't got time, care, £$£ etc don't bother BUYING a pet.

Severus was really nice and active last night (midnight), when he thought its night time and no-ones looking, he also looks like he likes climbing..

Cheers fella

 

[smigon]

People often say about looking after their kid (meaning dog or cat etc) I think that's rubbish I look after my kids with my life,.. much deeper in everyway.
A pet is a pet not ones own child, nothing like the same.a

Some of us who can't/don't have human children DO consider their pets as their children. Yes, they are animals, but I couldn't imagine loving a human child more than my animals since I never got the chance.

 

[Aurora314]

I'm a little late chiming in, but I thought I'd say welcome to the forum, dyls1!

 

[dyls1]

Thanks for the welcome Aurora314.

Smigon if any offence was taken sorry but none was intended.
But what I wrote I stand by.
I wouldn't lay my life down for an animal, but for my kids,.. it would be a 'no brainer'.
But I will care for almost all living animals.

 

[smigon]

Thanks for the welcome Aurora314.

Smigon if any offence was taken sorry but none was intended.
But what I wrote I stand by.
I wouldn't lay my life down for an animal, but for my kids,.. it would be a 'no brainer'.
But I will care for almost all living animals.

No offense taken, it is the path I was taken on. I was just saying that I can't compare the love I have for my fur and scalebabies to loving my own human child since I don't have one.

 

[Phruit Dish]

You're very welcome!

Personally, I hope to never be put into a situation in which I have to choose my own life or the life of one of my pets. Outside of actually being in that situation, I'm of the opinion that I cannot truly predict what I would actually do. I know how I would want to respond...but that's neither here nor there.

Life is fragile and precious. I do know that I do what I can to provide the best quality of life possible, and spend a lot of time with the pets I have. I wouldn't trade the bonds I have with my pets for anything.

 

[smigon]

You're very welcome!

Personally, I hope to never be put into a situation in which I have to choose my own life or the life of one of my pets. Outside of actually being in that situation, I'm of the opinion that I cannot truly predict what I would actually do. I know how I would want to respond...but that's neither here nor there.

Life is fragile and precious. I do know that I do what I can to provide the best quality of life possible, and spend a lot of time with the pets I have. I wouldn't trade the bonds I have with my pets for anything.

Jim and I have made plans for if disaster strikes at our house. His side of the bed is by the door out to the patio, so if someone comes in from the inside of the house (my side of the bed is nearest the hallway) Jim will hand me the golf club next to his side of the bed, then run to the neighbors for help with his phone which is always next to the bed.

If a fire happens, we decided who would carry whom as far as the cats go, toss them in the backyard which is surrounded by block walls and we can use a neighbor's house to hold them until everything is settled. Now that I have snakes, we haven't revisited the scenarios, but I would try to scoop into a pillowcase every snake I can (NO CHASTISING FOR COHABBING!!! :smash in the main snake room and take them to the neighbors too. Then the wedding album and any artwork that I really love or value. And my laptop if I can get it in time.

Now, if there is a zombie apocalypse...

 

[dyls1]

Good point there Smigon.
I/We do have a evacuation plan in place for me and the wife and our three kids, in case of fire etc.
Everyone can get out of the house by their windows.
Now we will have to add another animal to that plan.
I think its going to be the same plan but then someone can go back in the house for the pet if it is safe to do so.

Don't forget your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
And a fire blanket or two can come in handy too.
Stay safe...