Afraid My Snake Will Fall And Get Hurt

[Caprisaurus]

I just my corn snake and it's been exploring the tank. It pooped in it's water bowl and now it climbed up the thermometer wire and I'm afraid it might fall and get hurt. Is it okay? I don't have aspen or anything, just a few paper towels on the bottom so it's not really cushioned.

Also, when I opened the box it was really scared so I tried to be gentle with the container and I just put it in the tank and opened the lid and put the top on the tank. Is it okay to leave the container he was shipped in, in the tank?

Lastly, now that he pooped in his water I want to change it out but everyone said to try to not disturb him. Should I change it even though he's only been in his tank for like 30 minutes!?

I would really appreciate some help!

[Mikoh4792]

You are worrying too much and convincing yourself that the snake is overly sensitive. How tall is the enclosure? If it's only 1 foot tall the corn can't hurt itself from falling. Yes give it fresh water. It will likely be exploring it's new home at night and you wouldn't want it to touch water that has had feces sitting in it for hours.

EDIT: I just remembered you are using a 10 gallon tank. The snake can't hurt itself from falling. I hear my snakes fall all the time from 2 feet high while climbing their branches. Sometimes it'll wake me up at night.

Just to add, when your corn is a baby it will probably be scared more often than not, even if you are not doing anything wrong. They are so small most of them will feel threatened by everything. That's what hide boxes and burrowing substrates are for.

[Caprisaurus]

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. I'm just really excited and I like him a lot and want to make sure I do everything right. I almost had a heart attack when I saw him 12 inches off the ground. He actually seems pretty active and cool. He got a little defensive but I haven't touched him at all. I just put the container with him in it in his tank, took the lid off and secured the tank. He was really jumpy in the container and when I walk by the tank though lol. Now he's laying on the glass under the paper towels on the warm side.

My warm side is staying steady at 83-85 degrees. I'm almost temped to turn it down a degree but it seems okay. Hopefully that thermometer is accurate ...

[sharthun]

Where are the pics of the little guy?:D

[Mikoh4792]

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. I'm just really excited and I like him a lot and want to make sure I do everything right. I almost had a heart attack when I saw him 12 inches off the ground. He actually seems pretty active and cool. He got a little defensive but I haven't touched him at all. I just put the container with him in it in his tank, took the lid off and secured the tank. He was really jumpy in the container and when I walk by the tank though lol. Now he's laying on the glass under the paper towels on the warm side.

My warm side is staying steady at 83-85 degrees. I'm almost temped to turn it down a degree but it seems okay. Hopefully that thermometer is accurate ...

Don't worry I think most of us were like that with our first snake. Sometimes worrying too much can do more harm than good.

If you really want good readings of temperatures inside your enclosure, I would suggest an infrared temp gun. You can buy cheap ones and more expensive ones but generally speaking they should cost you around $50( Many are way cheaper around $10-20). Basically you point and shoot the infrared laser(sometimes visible laser like with the HDE heat gun) at any surface and it will instantly read the temperatures.

[Caprisaurus]

Don't worry I think most of us were like that with our first snake. Sometimes worrying too much can do more harm than good.

If you really want good readings of temperatures inside your enclosure, I would suggest an infrared temp gun. You can buy cheap ones and more expensive ones but generally speaking they should cost you around $50( Many are way cheaper around $10-20). Basically you point and shoot the infrared laser(sometimes visible laser like with the HDE heat gun) at any surface and it will instantly read the temperatures.

Yeah I would love one of those but I'm already up to $180 not counting food so I'm trying to hold off on anything else for at least a little while lol. At first I thought it would be $100, then I thought $150, and now I'm up to almost $200 :D

My next concern is that the pinky mice at petsmart/petco will be too big for him. He looks about 12" long and as big around as a #2 pencil. I'll try to get some pics soon but he's hiding and I don't want to disturb him or blind him with flash lol. He's an anerythristic corn snake though.

[Mikoh4792]

Yeah I would love one of those but I'm already up to $180 not counting food so I'm trying to hold off on anything else for at least a little while lol. At first I thought it would be $100, then I thought $150, and now I'm up to almost $200 :D

My next concern is that the pinky mice at petsmart/petco will be too big for him. He's looks about 12" long and as big around as a #2 pencil. I'll try to get some pics soon but he's hiding and I don't want to disturb him or blind him with flash lol. He's an anerythristic corn snake though.

If hes as thick as a #2 pencil he's definitely able to eat pinkies. My baby speckled king and baby russian rat snakes are about that size and eat pinkies easily.

[DeadlyDesires]

my baby corns eat pinky mice :D and they are on loose forrest floor substrate its like shredded wood chips (moist) they borrow under it and chill there lol :D almost thought i lost one then found it borrowed :D

[Caprisaurus]

Here's a couple pictures of the setup. You can't see him though because he's under the paper towel on the right(warm side).

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/pokaslop3000/DSC00845.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/user/pokaslop3000/media/DSC00845.jpg.html)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/pokaslop3000/DSC00848.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/user/pokaslop3000/media/DSC00848.jpg.html)

[Mikoh4792]

Looks good. Although I would add a few things. Cover the three sides except for the front for added security and cover the screen top atleast 3/4's of the way to retain humidity.

Paper towel and screen top = low humidity


Here is a cage I don't use anymore but you can see how the sides are covered. You can use anything, I used chalkboard paper with an adhesive on one side

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a594/mikoh4792/20130613_214907_zpsf9bf3cdb.jpg

[nyx]

Looks good. Although I would add a few things. Cover the three sides except for the front for added security and cover the screen top atleast 3/4's of the way to retain humidity.

Paper towel and screen top = low humidity

I'm sorry, why would a corn snake need higher than ambient humidity outside ecdysis?

If higher humidity is sought for a North American colubrid, offer a humid hide (a small plastic box with a hole cut in the lid, filled with moist sphagnum moss).

[ErikBush97]

You are worrying too much While it is true that you're worrying too much, it's normal. I was full on paranoid that something would go wrong when I got my first snake! You'll learn to calm down a bit and enjoy your snake(s) even more than you do now :)

[Caprisaurus]

Is it normal for him to be hiding under the paper towel on the warm side the whole time?

[ErikBush97]

Is it normal for him to be hiding under the paper towel on the warm side the whole time?

Yup! He'll move if he needs to :) he probably just feels safer under there

[Caprisaurus]

I didn't see him for so long I worried that he might have somehow escaped without me seeing when I changed his water. I lifted the corner of the paper towel, saw a tail, and put it back down. I hated doing it because I don't want to stress him any more then he's already been, but I had to make sure he was under there. I also took the container he was shipped in out of the tank because he hasn't gone near it since he slithered out so I figure he doesn't care.

One other thing. When he pooped in his water I dumped it and rinsed it out with hot water and wiped it with a paper towel. Is that good enough? What do you guys do to clean the water dish? I'm hesitant to use any soap or chemicals but idk ..

[Mikoh4792]

I'm sorry, why would a corn snake need higher than ambient humidity outside ecdysis?

If higher humidity is sought for a North American colubrid, offer a humid hide (a small plastic box with a hole cut in the lid, filled with moist sphagnum moss).

Because ambient humidity inside a house is usually different than the ambient humidity outside. With the a/c or heater on, with the addition of light bulbs...etc. many things factor into this. In other words, ambient humidity inside the common home is not the same as the ambient humidity of a corn snakes natural habitat. My cornsnake for example, comes from a lineage from Florida, where it definitely gets humid.

If you don't think corn snakes should have moderate to high humidity why offer a humid hide? It's the same principle. Corn snakes require humidity.

A screen top and paper towels will not offer that.

[Caprisaurus]

I'll look into it. I don't know what the humidity is but it doesn't seem extreme in either direction. Couldn't he just soak in his water if he wanted more moisture though?

[Doug 351]

my baby corns eat pinky mice :D and they are on loose forrest floor substrate its like shredded wood chips (moist) they borrow under it and chill there lol :D almost thought i lost one then found it borrowed :D

I'm a carpenter and I have a planer that makes wood shavings so I use them for substrate. I have a 5' rat snake and I dug all around the enclosure and no snake. I couldn't figure out how she got out.I put the lid back on and after tearing up the house for 2 days, look over and see her roaming in the enclosure!

[Mikoh4792]

I'll look into it. I don't know what the humidity is but it doesn't seem extreme in either direction. Couldn't he just soak in his water if he wanted more moisture though?

I'm sure he could but I don't know how good it would be to force him to soak because the air is dry. When wet for too long issues like scale rot and blisters can come up.

[nyx]

Never mind. I forgot the axiom about arguing on the internet. Provide 80% humidity, do what you like.

[Mikoh4792]

Never mind. I forgot the axiom about arguing on the internet. Provide 80% humidity, do what you like.

You said that cornsnakes don't require humidity before you edited your post. What a daft thing to say, as you say. Even 1% humidity is humidity.

And I can spot your cheekiness a mile away. I never said 80% humidity is required. I said screen top and paper towels = low humidity and you start to attack me. Does that mean I am advocating 80%? Why make the jump?

Again, there is no need for a humid hide if the proper humidity is provided. Talk about half learned.

[Mikoh4792]

Never mind. I forgot the axiom about arguing on the internet. Provide 80% humidity, do what you like.

Arguing on the Internet? Oh the irony, I was actually trying to have a conversation with you before you deleted your asinine post filled with insults. It seems I have threatened your dogma about keeping corn snakes. Please keep it civil if I have not wronged you.

[DeadlyDesires]

they dont need high humidity right? i was told somewhere around 40-50% is good.

[ErikBush97]

I keep mine at Room Humidity. Usually 58%-61%.

[Mikoh4792]

they dont need high humidity right? i was told somewhere around 40-50% is good.

They don't need the humidity levels of a Brazilian rainbow boa or green tree python but given that the ambient humidity in the average household is usually drier a screen top and paper towel would not be ideal.

As Nyx mentioned, you can always provide a humid hide. What I am saying is, if you retain humidity by covering some of the screen top there is no need for one. It can work either way, just give your snake access to a little more humidity than is provided by the air in your house. It will help with hydration and shedding.

[Caprisaurus]

I have another question: I just checked the tank and it looks like he did his business on the paper towel. Should I leave it or replace the paper towels? He's hiding under them and I don't want to scare the crap out of him and disturb him because everyone says to leave them alone since they were just shipped and are acclimating.

[Mikoh4792]

I have another question: I just checked the tank and it looks like he did his business on the paper towel. Should I leave it or replace the paper towels? He's hiding under them and I don't want to scare the crap out of him and disturb him because everyone says to leave them alone since they were just shipped and are acclimating.

You are worrying too much again lol. Just replace the paper towels. You will still need to go into his enclosure every day or every two days to change the water anyways. Just do what you normally do for maintenance, I think when people say "leave him alone" they are referring to taking him out and handling him. You should still proceed with regular maintenance of the enclosure. Spot cleaning, providing fresh water...etc.

[Doug 351]

I have another question: I just checked the tank and it looks like he did his business on the paper towel. Should I leave it or replace the paper towels? He's hiding under them and I don't want to scare the crap out of him and disturb him because everyone says to leave them alone since they were just shipped and are acclimating.

I would much rather see someone go in the direction of overly cautious than the other way around. But what the advice about letting them acclimate really means is don't take it out every 5 min. just to look at it or play with it, because that's what a lot of people will do. Going in to take care of business won't hurt a thing. Even if you startle it in the process, as already stated, they are afraid of everything at this stage and personally I think a little interaction helps trains the snake to discount the fear from that imput.
What you are looking for is when the snake is out actively exploring it's surroundings and then stays out- just chilling. Then he (it) is acclimated to it's surroundings and will spend the rest of its life trying to change that. LOL.

The most important thing is to acclimate it to you. The biggest reason to let them acclimate is that you want the bonding to take place under the best of circumstances. Either way-don't ever sell these guys short, the fact that they tolerate us at all is one of my great mysteries of life. I have all the faith in the world that you and your new baby will be just fine.

[Mikoh4792]

I would much rather see someone go in the direction of overly cautious than the other way around.

But I would much rather see someone not go in either extreme directions =]~

[Caprisaurus]

I would much rather see someone go in the direction of overly cautious than the other way around. But what the advice about letting them acclimate really means is don't take it out every 5 min. just to look at it or play with it, because that's what a lot of people will do. Going in to take care of business won't hurt a thing. Even if you startle it in the process, as already stated, they are afraid of everything at this stage and personally I think a little interaction helps trains the snake to discount the fear from that imput.
What you are looking for is when the snake is out actively exploring it's surroundings and then stays out- just chilling. Then he (it) is acclimated to it's surroundings and will spend the rest of its life trying to change that. LOL.

The most important thing is to acclimate it to you. The biggest reason to let them acclimate is that you want the bonding to take place under the best of circumstances. Either way-don't ever sell these guys short, the fact that they tolerate us at all is one of my great mysteries of life. I have all the faith in the world that you and your new baby will be just fine.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[Doug 351]

But I would much rather see someone not go in either extreme directions =]~

Me too-point of my post.I deal with wild animals. One thing you never want to emminate is fear."Oooh your such a nice baby..." means nothing to an animal that's deaf and little to those that aren't. But sensing fear seems to be a universal language among all animals.

Even so, these snakes seem to get past that pretty easily. So what I'm trying to say is-don't shortchainge the snake. Not only is it extremely tough but inconceivably forgiving.

This advice is only for this OP in this instance! !!!!!

[Caprisaurus]

I just looked around in the tank and I see him in the empty paper towel roll on the cool side. Yesterday he was laying under the paper towels on the warm side. I've heard that if they're on the cool side too much the warm side might be too hot, but I've never seen the thermometer go above 85, so hopefully it's fine?

Also, now that I know he's in the paper towel tube, I don't know how I can swap the paper towels for clean ones. I don't want to take the paper towel tube out with him in it ... Should I just wait until he goes somewhere else?

[ErikBush97]

sensing fear seems to be a universal language among all animals

This is random but; Animals don't sense any emotions/feelings. They smell them. Basically your body let's out different odors through your sweat glands dependent upon what you're feeling, and animals with the ability to pick up those odors (Dogs, Snakes, etc) can 'sense' what we're feeling.

[ErikBush97]

I just looked around in the tank and I see him in the empty paper towel roll on the cool side. Yesterday he was laying under the paper towels on the warm side. I've heard that if they're on the cool side too much the warm side might be too hot, but I've never seen the thermometer go above 85, so hopefully it's fine?

Also, now that I know he's in the paper towel tube, I don't know how I can swap the paper towels for clean ones. I don't want to take the paper towel tube out with him in it ... Should I just wait until he goes somewhere else?

Lol you really need to relax a little. Your snake KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT IT NEEDS. If it wants to be warm, it WILL go to the warm side. If it needs to cool down, it WILL go to the cool side. Use one hand to pick up the tube, with him in it, use your other hand to pull out the paper towels, set him down, grab new Paper Towels, pick him up again, put them under him.

[ErikBush97]

If he's on the cool side for a month... You should be worried. Not for a day, though.

[Abraxxos]

This is random but; Animals don't sense any emotions/feelings. They smell them. Basically your body let's out different odors through your sweat glands dependent upon what you're feeling, and animals with the ability to pick up those odors (Dogs, Snakes, etc) can 'sense' what we're feeling.

... Smelling is a sense. So by smelling the difference they are sensing the difference.

Yeah I would love one of those but I'm already up to $180 not counting food so I'm trying to hold off on anything else for at least a little while lol. At first I thought it would be $100, then I thought $150, and now I'm up to almost $200 :D

Mwuahahahahahaa, you have now been sucked into reptile keeping and the many expenses of it. This was totally me with my first snake explaining to my boyfriend why a 300$ bill magically appeared on his credit card statement. I remember him saying 'I thought you said this was only going to be 50$!?' And I said something like... 'Yah. For the snake itself' I wouldn't worry about the falling.

[Mikoh4792]

... Smelling is a sense. So by smelling the difference they are sensing the difference.

http://i.imgur.com/1i0NH.gif

[Abraxxos]

http://i.imgur.com/1i0NH.gif

Alright god dangit. I have seen this gif twice tonight what is it from?!

[Mikoh4792]

Alright god dangit. I have seen this gif twice tonight what is it from?!

Tbh I don't know, I just googled "clapping gif" in google. It's awesome, must have posted it in several threads now. Never gets old to me.


By the way

http://i.imgur.com/1i0NH.gif

[Snowshoes]

Lol you really need to relax a little. Your snake KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT IT NEEDS. If it wants to be warm, it WILL go to the warm side. If it needs to cool down, it WILL go to the cool side. Use one hand to pick up the tube, with him in it, use your other hand to pull out the paper towels, set him down, grab new Paper Towels, pick him up again, put them under him.

Oh My God. This reminds me of the first night after I brought my Snake home. My boyfriend was so afraid of everything when it came to her. She crawled inside a paper towel tube and didn't come out for several hours, so Chris freaked out thinking she was stuck. He ripped open the paper towel tube, and dropped her like 18 inches in the process. Luckily she was okay. I think we freaked out every time we didn't see her. I don't know, seems like snakes are pretty hardy. I mean, most ( if not all) the snakes we keep as pets still exist in the wild right?