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Picking up first snake this weekend!

K

Katie779

New member
Hello everyone!

I finally decided to get my first snake, and I'm fairy sure it will be a corn, so of course I ended up here! I have experience with reptiles (bearded dragons and crested geckos mostly), but this will be my first snake and I have a few questions.

First of all, about quarantine, what exactly are the recommended procedures? Is it necessary to keep them on paper towel, or is it ok to still use aspen? Also, the new corn will be in the same room as my other reptiles, is this ok, especially during quarantine?

I was also wondering where everyone buys their mice. I know about RodentPro and similar bulk sites, but I'm not sure it's worth it to order online for one snake. Opinions? Petsmart mice are just so expensive for no reason, but if that's my best option thats ok.

I'll be going to an expo to search for my new addition so I'd appreciate any tips on picking out a healthy snake. I know that sometimes animals at expos don't act as they normally would at home, so is there anything specific I should look for?

Lastly, is there an age that's better for a beginner than others? Should I go very young or sub-adult or adult?

Sorry for such a long post!!
 
Not an expert in quarantine protocols, so I'll leave that advice up to someone else.

Since I just have one snake atm myself, I pretty much get f/t from PetCo. They're a couple bucks cheaper than Petsmart. The "local" pet shop we have here is even more expensive than both chain stores. If I had more mouths to feed, I'd definitely buy from someone online though. You get better prices, better selection, and often times overall better quality product (mass market brands don't really care much what they feed their mice/rats, they just breed em and freeze em).

There's a whole long list of things to look for or pay attention to when it comes to picking out a snake, too much for me to type right now. So I'll leave that one to someone else too :p

As for "best age for beginners"... For people very new to reptile and or snake keeping, something in the 6mo-1yr range is probably a good starting spot. At that point, they're established eaters, gone through a few sheds, and they're a little hardier than babies. But in all reality, as long as a person takes the time and care and effort, even a baby is pretty easy. My first snake (and reptile for that matter) was a baby corn and while it's definitely been a bit of "new parent worry", I haven't killed him.
 
What show? Some of them list what vendors/breeders will be attending; get an idea of what to expect. There's no "set" protocol on quarantining new animals. Most folks have an opinion one way or the other. Fwiw I do 30 days in another room on newspaper. I also like to know where my snakes are coming from, as some folks are more trustworthy than others.

With your experience with beardeds and cresteds find one you like, baby to adult. Welcome to Cs too...
 
Thanks for the advice! I already know I'm going to be SUPER paranoid. When I got my first reptile (bearded dragon) I took him to the vet 3 times in 6 months for literally no reason besides me just being an insane worrier. lol

I have heard that Petsmart mice might be of better quality, and that Petco mice are sometimes soaked with urine and broken/bruised, Have you experienced this? I don't even have any small local pet shops within an hour of me, so unless I buy in bulk online, Petco or Petsmart will have to do.
 
I'm going to the East Coast Reptile Super Expo in Oaks, Pa. They do have a vender list but I found that it's not really updated for each new show and there's always a lot more vendors than on the list.

Do you think keeping in another room is necessary? It might be hard for me because I have cats, and the only room they don't have access to is the room I keep my reptiles in. I've never quarantined in a separate room before, only was extra careful about disinfecting and washing my hands in between animals.
 
So far my pinkies have all been pretty good quality. The only real issue I've had is that they throw all sorts of sizes together. Not so much a problem, but since my little guy is on larger pinkies now, I have this surplus of tiny ones. Plissken is still a baby so I haven't bumped him up to anything larger yet. Thanks for the heads up on that though, I'll be sure to try and pay attention. If anything, *I* might be switching.
 
Katie779 said:
I'm going to the East Coast Reptile Super Expo in Oaks, Pa. They do have a vender list but I found that it's not really updated for each new show and there's always a lot more vendors than on the list.

Do you think keeping in another room is necessary? It might be hard for me because I have cats, and the only room they don't have access to is the room I keep my reptiles in. I've never quarantined in a separate room before, only was extra careful about disinfecting and washing my hands in between animals.
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Separate room helps, but isn't necessary. Other than washing hands regularly, I'd personally try to keep the quarantine container as far on the other side of the room from the others as possible. I'd also probably use a little petroleum jelly around the top of the quarantine enclosure, just in case of mites. Also, I know you asked about aspen, but paper towel really works better for a quarantine. It makes observation and detection of things so much easier. Also, you'll naturally want to use disposable hides and decor, tp/paper towel tubes, cardboard boxes, egg cartons, etc.
 
I've been storing up my paper towel rolls and tissue boxes for just the occasion! lol From what I've been reading it seems like mites are fairly common. Should I expect this, or is it more uncommon than I'm assuming? Should I pick up some mite spray or something just in case?
 
I get my mice and rats from a local pet store that breeds them. They're about 1/3 of the cost of petco.
My petco uses Gormet Rodent and they are of excellent quality, petsmart's pinkies were Artic Rodent and they were horribly small, not even 1 gram pinkies, not to mention they were about $2 a pinky!
If you can find a local store/breeder that would be the best route. Chances are, any pet store that sells snakes, probably also breeds their own mice/rats and sells them too.

It might be a good idea to have Prevent-a-Mite on hand, just in case, but be very careful, PAM could kill a hatchling if you're not careful.
 
I couldn't tell you how common or uncommon it is to get a new arrival with mites, I just know that sometimes they can slip past the initial in store/expo inspection of the animal and they can travel. Thus the pre-caution of petroleum jelly. I don't know if I'd invest in any preemptive PAM, especially if you're getting a baby. Other veterans here can give much safer methods of eliminating mites *if* you find there's actually a problem. As Kat_Dog said, PAM can be very harmful or fatal to a baby if not used very carefully.
 
You can probably pick up some feeders at the show for a better price than Petco/Petsmart.

At this time of year, as far north as PA, I think you'll mostly find '12s, which will be a nice size for a beginner. Well established and not so small and fragile as a new hatchling, but still enough growing and changing to do that you'll feel like you got to watch your baby grow up.
 
That's probably a good age to aim for, I'll probably do that.

I feel like I'm already worrying before I even have my new baby!
I've also been reading about things like "crypto". Is this something I should be seriously concerning myself about? I think I'm mostly worried about bringing something in and infecting my current animals.
 
I like the Oaks one. It's not so big that its overwhelming, but not as small as the same show in the Reading location. =]
 
Philly!!! :dancer:....Welcome to the forum katie779. I will also be attending the oaks show and possibly bringing a new baby home with me.I have a butter corn now but once you have one you want another then another then Another... Lol you get the point I just hope I don't come with too many home but then again when are you sure when enoughs enough...
 
Hello fellow Philly reptile lover!! I know what you mean! For me, I have trouble sticking with just one animal, I just love them all! lol I seem to get a new species or animal every other month, I just can't resist.
 
Katie779 said:
I've also been reading about things like "crypto". Is this something I should be seriously concerning myself about? I think I'm mostly worried about bringing something in and infecting my current animals.
Click to expand...

Crypto can be nasty, and is largely untreatable, but you can relax a bit knowing that it is fairly rare. To make sure, though, you should quarantine your new snake for 30-60 days away from any other reptiles that could be infected. It's not just crypto, either - you are far more likely to get mites, which are less lethal but almost as annoying to eradicate. :headbang:
 
How do they actually get mites? I wouldn't see them when I initially looked at the snake?

Thank you all by the way for answering my newbie questions!!
 
Also, I thought crypto could survive outside of the host for a long time, and it isn't killed with soap, hand sanitizer, or even bleach. So I'm not sure exactly what I should be doing to take precautions during quarantine.
 
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