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Outside keeping.

D

dingodog

New member
Hello,

I am writing for the first time and am really glad that I found this forum.
I had a basic yellow rat and a red rat back in college in the Florida area (Tampa). Had them for the two years that I spent there, so when I moved back to Miami I returned both snakes back to the same pet shop that I bought them. I had a great time with them, and now from all the stories I tell my sun about college, he wants me to buy a corn snake like the one I had.
I've been licing in Puerto Rico for about ten years now and the temp here is from 68 degrees aprox to 95 degrees in summer time. It does not feel as hot as other places because we have wind from the east constantly blowing.
I also want the snake and know where to get one, but it will need to live outside. I have a beautyful garden full of trees and plenty shades and will prepare everything that is necesary to make the corn snake confortable.
My question is? Can the snake live outside without getting sick? My main concern is the temp. What tipe of temp are they cofortable with?

Thanks,
Alfonso
dingodog
 
No

No, a corn snake cannot live outside.

First off, if it is a baby snake it would be extremely scared because baby corns are prey for large birds like hawks. Any sort of insect would be able to get inside of your snakes cage, and irritate it while it is sleeping, ex. the insect would suck the moisture out of your snakes eyes, resulting in your snakes death.

The simple answer to this question is just,

No.
 
TheExpert said:
No, a corn snake cannot live outside.

First off, if it is a baby snake it would be extremely scared because baby corns are prey for large birds like hawks. Any sort of insect would be able to get inside of your snakes cage, and irritate it while it is sleeping, ex. the insect would suck the moisture out of your snakes eyes, resulting in your snakes death.

The simple answer to this question is just,

No.
Click to expand...

True, since wild corns dont live outside. They all have their special sterilyte box they crawl into at night :rolleyes:

In all seriousness, it's not best to keep anything "outside". A controlled temp shed might be a bit different, but you cant keep your snake like on the porch. It'd get too hot in the tank and you'd effectively fry your snake.
 
This may be a stupid question.....
You are going to keep the snake in a cage correct????? By the way I read the first post it sounded like he is going to let it go in the garden and hope it stays there?!?! Please correct me if I am wrong!
Scott
 
ok I'm glad I'm not the only one who read it that way. I have to ask too, Are you going to keep it in a cage or in the garden??

I would say a captive breed corn would not be able to stay outside.

Jean
 
In Florida it is possible to keep corns and rats outside as long as some common sense is applied. The cage should be sheltered, from direct sun and rain etc., fine screening to avoid "bugs" fresh water daily etc. Many people during the more temperate months sucessfully keep retiles, birds and amphibians outside with no ill effect. Case in point after all hurricanes we lost power my snakes have never been happier 80 degrees, 75-90 per cent humidity- nice breeze with screens......lets see..... rats and corns come from?? hope this helps I think Puerto Rico has a similar climate, in South Florida it rarely freezes so with some thought it is possible! Good Luck! :)
 
Come on guys! Of course it will be on a cage under a 12 x 20 canvas canopy which is over 12 feet height with great shade and constant cool breeze.
 
Slightly ranting

TheExpert said:
No, a corn snake cannot live outside.

First off, if it is a baby snake it would be extremely scared because baby corns are prey for large birds like hawks. Any sort of insect would be able to get inside of your snakes cage, and irritate it while it is sleeping, ex. the insect would suck the moisture out of your snakes eyes, resulting in your snakes death.

The simple answer to this question is just,

No.
Click to expand...


I'm really bothered by this so called 'expert' it doesn't seem that he/she realises that cornsnakes 'occasionally' have been known to live outdoors, in the wild, with insects, weather, etc and have done pretty well for many years...perhaps even longer than 'The Expert' has been keeping snakes. So yes, predation from other snakes, birds of prey, etc might be an issue, as might be road kill -but in your case, your snakie would be in an enclosure and would not be subjected to traffic.
I'm from Australia (but live in Sweden) and back there we have tough plastic mesh terrariums with a strong heavy duty zip closure to keep our reptiles in outdoors during the warmer months. Most snakes can be kept this way very nicely as long as you have a similar climate to their natural range and they have a large enough enclosure to allow an area for basking and a place to get away from the heat (ie, keeping in mind thermal gradients just like keeping snakes indoors). Being totally mesh (with a rigid aluminium frame) there is no 'greenhouse' effect like from a glass type terrarium and the humidity is governed by mother nature. I understand these are available in the USA too but I haven't seen them here yet.
My friend in Australia keeps Woma's, Diamond's and Childrens Pythons amoungst other reptiles with this method and has exceptional results with his animals both in keeping and breeding, so please IMHO, disregard what 'the expert' has to say, unless he/she is able to reply to this topic with a little more detail and facts to back it up.
I'm really stumped by the 'insects sucking moisture from your snakes eyes and causing it to die' thingie...it doesn't sound very realistic to me.

Good Luck, I'm not an expert but I have a lot of research behind me, a good dose of common sense and my snakes perform beautifully,
Adèle
 
The Mesh enclousers that you are talking about are available here in the states...they have hard PVC plastic tubes for the corners. You can purchase them in many different shapes and sizes from Pet Smart...
 
A little OT, but

Hey, if this Dilan guy is helping you out, and he's doing something illegal, the least you can do is not give his name and business name away!!!! :sidestep:
 
dingodog said:
OOPS! Sorry about that. I meant Nalid and his store is called Pit bull cutters.
Click to expand...

You ought to go and edit the origional post to remove his name and business name...that way he still can't be found... :cheers:
 
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