I am planning on purchasing a young corn snake and I would like to be completely prepared for the animal before I actually buy it. With that in mind I have a few questions. To begin, I have a 16x16x30 glass enclosure with a screen top. I believe that this should be adequate but I'm not sure what kind of heating source I should use. I've read that corn's need a UTH to aid in digestion and that a UTH should be sufficient. Should I also get a heat lamp instead or should I use both? Will the screen top present issues in retaining heat/humidity inside the enclosure? To maintain the proper humidity 45-55% I was planning on just using a spray when needed. Is that ok? Also, do I need a fluorescent light or some kind of UV enriched light over the tank?Finally, what should I use to clean the enclosure. It belonged to my friend who had an iguana and is a bit dirty. I don't want to harm the snake using windex or something like that. Thanks in advance for any replies.
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New snake questions
- Thread starter Slynig
- Start date
TripleMoonsExotic
I <3 Stripes!
I love to use clorox wipes to clean my tubs out. It has made my cleaning days go much faster. I wipe down good with the wipes, scrub the corners and whatever might be sticking...Then wipe down with a damp papertowel. Haven't ever had a problem. UV lighting is not necassary for cornsnakes. If the UTH does not supply enough heat, then get an additional heat bulb to place over the same side as the UTH.
I am planning on purchasing a young corn snake and I would like to be completely prepared for the animal before I actually buy it.
- Good idea, some people don't do that ...
With that in mind I have a few questions. To begin, I have a 16x16x30 glass enclosure with a screen top. I believe that this should be adequate but I'm not sure what kind of heating source I should use. I've read that corn's need a UTH to aid in digestion and that a UTH should be sufficient. Should I also get a heat lamp instead or should I use both?
- For the heat source i use both for my two snakes, UTH is good for digestion and giving the snake a warm place in the night. I use the light to have ambiant heat, not only belly heat, you don't neceraly need a red heating lamp, but a 75w or 100w reptile light bulb should be enought to keep the temp at the right place (depends if you live in a cold or hot place, maybe you would need a bulb at all if it's alway hot outside)
Will the screen top present issues in retaining heat/humidity inside the enclosure?
- I have a screen top on one of my snake and it's pretty good, just make sure it's solidly in place so that the snake can't push it and escape. Since corns don't require a lot of humidity there wont be a problem, i just keep the water bowl under the light and the evaporation does the job
To maintain the proper humidity 45-55% I was planning on just using a spray when needed. Is that ok?
- Yes you might spray if needed, but i never did and my snakes never had a shedding problem (a bad shed is a sign of low humidity)
Also, do I need a fluorescent light or some kind of UV enriched light over the tank?
- No
Finally, what should I use to clean the enclosure. It belonged to my friend who had an iguana and is a bit dirty. I don't want to harm the snake using windex or something like that.
- Hmm, i only used water, but i don't really know what to use if the tank is really dirty, maybe some other people can have a better answer
Thanks in advance for any replies.
- No problem, welcome to the club
- Good idea, some people don't do that ...
With that in mind I have a few questions. To begin, I have a 16x16x30 glass enclosure with a screen top. I believe that this should be adequate but I'm not sure what kind of heating source I should use. I've read that corn's need a UTH to aid in digestion and that a UTH should be sufficient. Should I also get a heat lamp instead or should I use both?
- For the heat source i use both for my two snakes, UTH is good for digestion and giving the snake a warm place in the night. I use the light to have ambiant heat, not only belly heat, you don't neceraly need a red heating lamp, but a 75w or 100w reptile light bulb should be enought to keep the temp at the right place (depends if you live in a cold or hot place, maybe you would need a bulb at all if it's alway hot outside)
Will the screen top present issues in retaining heat/humidity inside the enclosure?
- I have a screen top on one of my snake and it's pretty good, just make sure it's solidly in place so that the snake can't push it and escape. Since corns don't require a lot of humidity there wont be a problem, i just keep the water bowl under the light and the evaporation does the job
To maintain the proper humidity 45-55% I was planning on just using a spray when needed. Is that ok?
- Yes you might spray if needed, but i never did and my snakes never had a shedding problem (a bad shed is a sign of low humidity)
Also, do I need a fluorescent light or some kind of UV enriched light over the tank?
- No
Finally, what should I use to clean the enclosure. It belonged to my friend who had an iguana and is a bit dirty. I don't want to harm the snake using windex or something like that.
- Hmm, i only used water, but i don't really know what to use if the tank is really dirty, maybe some other people can have a better answer
Thanks in advance for any replies.
- No problem, welcome to the club
WhiteLips
New member
Welcome to the forum! 
It's really great that you want to set everything up before you get your new snake! Your snake will thank-you
Glass enclosure if fine- just make sure you can secure the lid- snakes are VERY good @ escaping! The purpose of cleaning an enclosure is to get rid of waste material & disinfect- to avoid disease while... not injuring your snake with chemical residue. So usually you need to clean with more than water to kill any microbes (bacteria, fungus & viruses) but you need to use something that leaves no residue or that you rinse with copious amount of water. Most herpers use a bleach solution, followed by lots of rinsing (till there is no odor). I would suggest this approach to clean the tank before you put your snake in it. After that you can spot clean (no bleach) and do the "big" cleaning once a month. Many people buy novolsan (sp) it's the same cleaner vets use kills most pathogens, safe, and smells much better than bleach. Clorox wipes are not recommended for use on glass & is hazardous to animals (took that from the package).
You don't need a light for uvb but the snakes should have some light to mimic day/night cycles- if you need additional heat the "red" light bulbs are nice because you can leave them on 24/7.
under the tank heating is good & promotes proper digestion- most corns do not require additional humidity unless you have a really dry environment, occational misting is a good way to increase the humidity, a good size water bowl will increase the humidity as well as allowing the to soak when they choose to. I do not recommend placing the water over the heating pad unless, you have two water bowls because 1- most animals would prefer cool water (room temp), than warm 2- warm water will grow bacteria faster than room temp (so you will need to change the water & wash the bowl at least once a day).
well... I have rambled on long enough, and I'm quite sure you will get some more suggestions!
good luck, keep us posted
:cheers:
It's really great that you want to set everything up before you get your new snake! Your snake will thank-you
Glass enclosure if fine- just make sure you can secure the lid- snakes are VERY good @ escaping! The purpose of cleaning an enclosure is to get rid of waste material & disinfect- to avoid disease while... not injuring your snake with chemical residue. So usually you need to clean with more than water to kill any microbes (bacteria, fungus & viruses) but you need to use something that leaves no residue or that you rinse with copious amount of water. Most herpers use a bleach solution, followed by lots of rinsing (till there is no odor). I would suggest this approach to clean the tank before you put your snake in it. After that you can spot clean (no bleach) and do the "big" cleaning once a month. Many people buy novolsan (sp) it's the same cleaner vets use kills most pathogens, safe, and smells much better than bleach. Clorox wipes are not recommended for use on glass & is hazardous to animals (took that from the package).
You don't need a light for uvb but the snakes should have some light to mimic day/night cycles- if you need additional heat the "red" light bulbs are nice because you can leave them on 24/7.
under the tank heating is good & promotes proper digestion- most corns do not require additional humidity unless you have a really dry environment, occational misting is a good way to increase the humidity, a good size water bowl will increase the humidity as well as allowing the to soak when they choose to. I do not recommend placing the water over the heating pad unless, you have two water bowls because 1- most animals would prefer cool water (room temp), than warm 2- warm water will grow bacteria faster than room temp (so you will need to change the water & wash the bowl at least once a day).
well... I have rambled on long enough, and I'm quite sure you will get some more suggestions!
good luck, keep us posted
:cheers:
TripleMoonsExotic
I <3 Stripes!
WhiteLips said:
I have never had a problem using them with my reptiles for their monthly tear down. It is no different then bottled clorox. As long as you wipe them out well with a damp paper towel (until smell is gone), and dry them...Their should be no issues. I also do not use glass, only plastic (racks)...Which may in some way be a reason why it's different. I have been doing this for over a year without issues.
WhiteLips
New member
blckkat said:
Regular Clorox is sodium hypochlorite (household bleach)
Clorox brand disinfecting wipes are-
n-Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride 0.145%
n-Alkyl Dimethyl Ethybenzyl Amonium Chloride 0.145%
and some other ingredients they have no bleach in them
Since the wipes only kill Klebsiella & Staph aureus, the clorox company does not recommend their use for cleaning animal enclosures, they recommend household bleach:
1/2 cup in a gallon of water, apply & leave on for 5 minutes then rinse well & let dry.
hope this helps
WhiteLips
New member
Astro turf would not be my first choice- because it's hard to keep clean harbors bacteria), you need at least 2 pieces (one to wash, one to use) I like aspen, paper towels and newspaper.
you can buy aspen at any pet store, it's inexpensive, smells nice and enables the snake to burrow, you just spot clean it and change it completely once a month. just make sure it is aspen- pine looks similar but is not good for the snake.
:cheers:
you can buy aspen at any pet store, it's inexpensive, smells nice and enables the snake to burrow, you just spot clean it and change it completely once a month. just make sure it is aspen- pine looks similar but is not good for the snake.
:cheers: