Soooo Excited :)

[youngster]

I've just ordered everything for my first herp friend. A baby corn snake. I cleaned out the viv I'm using and it's drying now. I just wanted to say I'm sooooo excited! Also, any tips for a new owner? Just general things that have helped you.

[stephanbakir]

Don't touch the food item, then the snake.

[youngster]

yep. If my interpretation serves me well it will most likely trigger a feeding response? Because the herp will think your hand is food. Am I correct?

[stephanbakir]

Yep :P Most common reason for snakes to bite new owners lol. That I know of.

[NennaMeerkat]

Wait a week after getting the snake settled in its home before feeding or messing with the snake in ANY way. Snake has to "destress" and get used to its new home. Also once you find a food routine that works stick to it! And don't be afraid to move the snake's tank around to find a good non stressful spot. Even if it means the snake is in a room you don't go into or sit in often. Also see if you can find a bulk supplier of frozen food items for your snake. The stuff sold in pet stores are awful and more expensive compared to a local place that sells in bulk.

[youngster]

The stuff sold in pet stores are awful and more expensive compared to a local place that sells in bulk.

Yeah there's a good local herp place that I LOVE. I know they sell feeders but I'm not sure about how bulky.

[NennaMeerkat]

Yeah there's a good local herp place that I LOVE. I know they sell feeders but I'm not sure about how bulky.

Find out who supplies them with their frozen stuff and go from there.

[youngster]

Find out who supplies them with their frozen stuff and go from there.

What do you mean? Like find out who supplies them and buy from the supplier of the supplier? :)

[NennaMeerkat]

What do you mean? Like find out who supplies them and buy from the supplier of the supplier? :)

Ha ha pretty much. The guys your store is getting their frozen stuff from will sell in bulk for cheaper than buying from the store directly. Unless it is "boxed" frozen mice ect.

[youngster]

Okay thanks.

[Aaron_S]

Be patient and don't stress out over any small problems with your new friend! They are hardy snakes and if they miss a meal it won't kill them!

[marionsclan]

Also, look online for bulk food stuff. There are several places that ship frozen to your house and in bulk you only end up paying half or less than what the pet store charges.

And start networking with other snake owners so that you can buy stuff in bulk, like food, substrate or exchange things when you re-arrange your habitat. I've done that with friends or mine and we exchanged same size tanks except that I had a long and she had a tall which suited my needs much better.

And last but not least, check Craig's List and join Freecycle for your area. I've gotten my 55 gallon tank free that way.

[stephanbakir]

If taking reptile items like tanks and hides etc is something you plan on doing. Make sure to clean the crap out of it, nothing worse then accepting a gift and having it kill part or all of your hard earned collection!!

[marionsclan]

If taking reptile items like tanks and hides etc is something you plan on doing. Make sure to clean the crap out of it, nothing worse then accepting a gift and having it kill part or all of your hard earned collection!!

Agreed. She had snakes from the same clutch in there so I knew there was no big issue but all the other tanks I hosed them down with bleach and scrubbed them.

[youngster]

If taking reptile items like tanks and hides etc is something you plan on doing. Make sure to clean the crap out of it, nothing worse then accepting a gift and having it kill part or all of your hard earned collection!!

haha you don't have to worry about that. I got this little 10 gal for free and it was pretty dirty. I must have spent at least 3 hours scrubbing it yesterday :D Crystal clear now, sitting on a table next to my bed.