Odd questions before I start

[OldDetroit]

Hello. I'm making a vivarium and have read several DIYs, but I still have a few odd questions, but they're easy I've just never had a snake so I have no clue. If you want to know why I'm making a vivarium click here for my introduction and explanation of my total lack of snake knowledge.

The snake I'm making this for is (as described to me) average size around (this means nothing to me) and about 3.5' to 4' long.

For several rodent cages I've made multiple "levels" which they seemed to like. Would a corn snake appreciate this? A two inch high area below where the water dish and hides are kept that spans the whole vivarium. Is two inches too narrow? Several places with holes to climb in or out. How big a hole would be good, 2"x3"? If I do this should I use an under tank heater for the bottom and one on the "main" floor with a tile or something over it (same side of the vivarium with a thermostat on each probably)?

For decor I've read quite a few DIYs, most involving polystyrene or sculpey. But I've been looking for something to do as a molding/casting project using polyester resin. Its nasty, toxic stuff to work with, but it becomes inert and non-toxic when it cures. The problem: I have no idea how big to make things. How big is good for a hide for an adult corn snake, 6" cube? And how big is good for a perch? Basically, I need to know how much room an adult corn snake takes up when it wants to sit somewhere.

And lastly decor design, I've seen a cityscape and a castle and all sorts of things. Do corn snakes care or is hiding in a cardboard box just as entertaining as a castle tower? I think it seems like the design is for the owner and the function is for the snake. Which makes sense since the owner gets the satisfaction of cleaning it all. Are there any colors snakes find more visually appealing like dogs and cats do?

This is a long post. Summary:
?"x?"x?" estimate on hide size?
?"x?" estimate on hole in hide (and between levels)?
?"x?" estimate on perch size
Any reason to not do crazy decor, besides cleaning?
Since I'm being excessive, anything else a corn snake would appreciate?

Thank you and if this works I'll post a full DIY with pictures. Or as someone else said one picture of the fail if it doesn't work.

 

[bitsy]

For several rodent cages I've made multiple "levels" which they seemed to like. Would a corn snake appreciate this?

Unfortunately, that's an individual preference - some Corns love to climb about, some don't. I have two multi-level vivs and I've had Corns in them that have never ventured off ground level. As I have a lounge-full, I just swapped them round until I found Corns that took advantage of the extra space. If you just have one Corn then it's a gamble. It certainly won't hurt to have different levels available, but be prepared for them to not be used.

A two inch high area below where the water dish and hides are kept that spans the whole vivarium. Is two inches too narrow?

It might prove a bit awkward to clean out. Are you confident that you could reach underneath to scrape out poop right at the back? They seem to have a good sense of which is the most inconvenient spot to make a deposit!

Several places with holes to climb in or out. How big a hole would be good, 2"x3"?

I learnt the hard way that holes in permanent materials should be larger then an adult Corn that has just eaten a large mouse (cue embarrassing trip to vet with Corn wedged into an earthenware flowerpot hide....). 2"x3" should be fine. Just make sure that the edges are smooth so that they can't catch/scratch themselves.

If I do this should I use an under tank heater for the bottom and one on the "main" floor with a tile or something over it (same side of the vivarium with a thermostat on each probably)?

I'd just stick with the one on the main living level. As long as you have one warm area at the right temperature (85-ish) then the snake will always have somewhere to warm up. If yours turn out to be anything like mine, they'll spend most of their time in the unheated areas anyway. It shouldn't inhibit their movements or use of the space.

How big is good for a hide for an adult corn snake, 6" cube?

That sounds about right as a general guideline. They like hides they they can squeeze into and feel the sides against them.

And how big is good for a perch? Basically, I need to know how much room an adult corn snake takes up when it wants to sit somewhere.

Generally Corns don't tend to spend time hanging around in the open (although I know a couple of folks here have Corns who do this!), so the size of perch isn't really an issue. They don't tend to curl up and hang over a perch like a Tree Python but will use them for climbing between levels and exploring.

I tend to use small branches from fruit or hardwood trees - one inch in diameter seems to be strong enough to hold an adult Corn when it's climbing around. Avoid soft resinous woods such as pine as the sap is said to give off fumes that affect a Corn's breathing.

And lastly decor design, I've seen a cityscape and a castle and all sorts of things. Do corn snakes care or is hiding in a cardboard box just as entertaining as a castle tower? I think it seems like the design is for the owner and the function is for the snake. Which makes sense since the owner gets the satisfaction of cleaning it all.

I think you have it. A Corn is just as happy in an old cereal box or kitchen paper tube, as it is in fancy confections.

If you go for something elaborate make sure there are no places that the Corn can get into, that you can't get them out of in an emergency. The easiest hides are ones you can just lift up - no nooks and crannies for them to wedge themselves into.

 

[xreinx]

I know this seems strange, but I cleaned my cage some months back, and had a small ... it wasent drastic but issues with a family member and had to quickly leave, I left a folded papertowel in the tank, when I put my paper towel tubes in the tank, they seem to favor the folded paper insted of the roll.

the bigger snakes cant fit under it, but they try, the babies, thats all they hide under. I still have the paper towel rolls but 9 out of 10 times, you can find them under the paper towel, so I got cardboard and wetted it until it was flexable, then layed it on a lumpy surfice, (dont get it sopping, they fall apart when you do that) and let it dry, it gets hard again, but is mostly flat, and dropped it into one of my tanks, my old female Loves it, she wont hide in anything else.

so you might try that in your new tank, and a FYI, how much space are you willing to take up with this DIY project? I had 6 feet I wanted to use.. and ended up not having that space when I was halfway done. make something you can shift around and move from one spot to another.. I didnt, now im stuck with a DIY project that isnt going to be used for my snakes.
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104069

 

[OldDetroit]

Thank you for the suggestions. And I forgot one thing, how much venting will a 4'x1.5'x2' tank need? Will 3 or 4 of the puck vents be okay?

 

[xreinx]

Id think 3 would be fine.. but thats just me, im terrified of my snakes beingable to push out the pucks. they have 1/4th drilled holes along the top of the plexie glass in my front loading tanks, all the way across, and that seems fine for them, but I mess with the tanks every day, changing water, making sure temps are fine, opening the cages and touching them to make sure they are alright.

 

[OldDetroit]

Thank you.