Hi!

[Kaos]

Hey im new here and new to snakes, hopefully getting my first one very soon and hoping you guys can help me :D

[infernalis]

sSnakeSs.com - Rules (http://www.ssnakess.com/index.php?page=rules)

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[stephanbakir]

We will help you with anything you need, within reason :)
Welcome to the forums!

[DFowler]

Welcome! What kind you getting?

[Kaos]

Im looking to get a corn because its my first snake but theres so many colours O:
I also live where almost no one breeds so there is no babies unless i go to the pet shop but ive been told horror stories about them :/
Im looking into just getting the vivarium at the moment, Just enquired about a 4ft viv with heat mat and basking lamp for £50 :D partly because im going away in 3 weeks and no one i know likes snakes enough to look after it while im gone
Is it a good idea to get babies shipped? I would idealy get one from a reputable breeder, but i'd get a smaller temp viv while its little as i read too much space can stress them out :)

[Lankyrob]

Wherabouts are you in the UK? One of us Brits may be able to recommend someone.

[Kaos]

Aberdeen :)

[marvelfreak]

Hello and welcome!

[Kaos]

Thanks!
I am now thinking of getting a ball python, Would that be a risky move as a first time snake owner?

[Lankyrob]

If you get a ball - you DEFINITELY want the enclosure set up for a week or so before getting the snake so that you can guarantte the humidity etc is stable. With a corn they are much more forgiving so you COULD get away with getting the snake/setup all in one go - however, it is still better to have everything set up before getting the animal if at all possible.

Also depends what you want from the snake.

Corns are more accepting of handling, more active, more colours to choose from for your cash.

Balls are more shy, less active, less likely to be seen day to day, more likely to be finicky eaters and more expensive if you want a "designer" one.

[stephanbakir]

Not at all really.
May I ask what you want in a snake? BPs tend to be slow and lazy as adults, arboreals tend to be more energetic etc. We might be able to direct you to your dream starter snake!

[Kaos]

Just a pet really, Something that will tollerate being left long hours while im at college (Animal care NC) and would happily accept 10 - 20mins of handling a few times a week, I do like corns but i like the more pronounced "snake" on the ball, cause its bigger, I dont want something that has an off temprement and commonly strikes, probably prefer something with less energy but also something that requires being fed not very often (dont want a snake that i have to feed a few times a week, would prefer something that would need fed 2-4 times a month)
I would most definitely set the viv up before i got a ball if i did, it would probably be a little longer than a week though as i would want to make sure everything stayed steady as not to harm the ball
:)

[stephanbakir]

ALL reptiles do better when left alone. They do not generally like or need attention of any kind.
Age generally determines feeding regimen, more often for babies less for adults.
Bp sounds like something that would work well for you, they are generally not biters and slowish.

[Kaos]

I understand about the feeding :D I dont know why i didnt think about that part because thats pretty much all ive been reading about the last week lol
Are balls like corns in that a baby would prefer less space? Im looking into getting a 4ft viv which i understand is a great size for an adult ball? but is it too big for a baby? Im quite happy to get a rubbermaid tub to house it until it felt safe in the viv

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome

cheers shaun

[Kaos]

Thank you :D

[Lankyrob]

I put my baby ball straight into a 4ft viv BUT i put LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of hiding spaces in there for it so that it can basically cruise around 95% of the viv without being seen should it so wish.

It does need to feel safe which is why most people go with small tubs. Both can work just fine.

[Kaos]

I think the lots of hiding spaces is a better idea :D I dont like keeping animals in small spaces and i would worry about a smaller tupperware container melting/cracking with the temp of a heat mat

I found a 4ft by 2 by 2.1 i think but i also found a 4x1.5x1
Which one is better?

[Lankyrob]

Ball dont really climb so height isn't a major issue but whichever you fancy is your choice!

[Kaos]

Theres only a £10 difference so im going for the 2ft one, its deeper too so more room for hideouts, water bowls and slithering :3

[Kaos]

I have also decided to name my snake, "Puppet" hehe

[Morgan says]

Great name, and welcome ^_^

the first snake I obtained was a wild caught eastern king snake. I took him in for a little bit and he was great. I liked how lively he was and he only needed to be fed once a week, though he might have been able to eat a bigger mouse.
Due to me leaving on vacation we let him go and when I got back I bought a ball.
I LOVE HIM SOOOO MUCH.
when I went to the store I picked almost all of them up till i found the right one. Supper friendly, not head shy, amazing eater, and he shed fine for me yesterday. I have loved how slow he is and how I can walk around the house with him nestled around my neck. Though I love handling things.
Humidity levels have been a problem for me due to how cold my boyfriend likes to keep our room -.- and due to the cage size.
When I had the king snake it was nice not having to worry about those conditions at all and I liked how he would coast around the cage a lot more.
So eeeehhh really it comes down to you. ^_^

[Kaos]

I think im going to have to have the viv up for a good 10 days before i get this snake lmao
I have no idea how to make it humid so ill have to buy a reader, And it occurred to me last night when i got into bed (yep i think about this 24/7) the viv im buying was used to keep corn snakes in before, So will i be able to put a ceramic heat bulb in the light socket? Or will i need a new socket completely?
Thanks for all the help :)

[Lankyrob]

Check the socket - a ceramic bulb needs a ceramic socket. My corns have ceramic bulbs so no reason to think that it isnt already set up for them.

[Kaos]

Ah okay, ill ask them
Just been on gumtree and theres a Jungle carpet python and blood python for sale, Not really beginner snake though :P

[DFowler]

Just me. Tubs are so much easier to clean and keep humidity in. You can also use balled up newspaper to take up some of the empty space until he/she get bigger. I doesn't look pretty but it helps. Just my 2cents worth. Keep us posted. Also check to see if you have any breeders in your area instead of the pet store.

[Lankyrob]

Ah okay, ill ask them
Just been on gumtree and theres a Jungle carpet python and blood python for sale, Not really beginner snake though :P

Carpets are not too bad but can be nippy when young, wouldnt recommend a blood as a first snake tho!!!