I've finally caved

[MissC89]

So after years of thinking about it and months of planning, I am finally able to get my first corn snake. All I have to do is wait for the house repairs to be finished and then I can buy my very first herp!

Will definitely need a lot of help though!!

- is it better to buy brand new (freshly hatched) or something a little older?
- what do you house them in to begin with?

Just this for starters. If you think of any advice I am definitely willing to hear it!

Thanks!

[Toronto1977]

You'll find some good info in the Corn snake section.

In my experience hatchlings can be quite flighty. I prefer sub adults that have been handled regularly as they are generally calmer.

[Hurrok]

Corns as babies are also quite small so you really have to keep an eye on them and make sure they don't escape. They are fun to have and it is cool to watch them grow and change over time though :) Plus who can resist a baby face? :p

[MissC89]

Plus who can resist a baby face? :p

Gah I know! That's why I want a baby corn snake. I've been looking at all these pictures online and I don't know why I just keep teasing myself that way. ;-;

Soon!

[Hurrok]

All in all, go with what you WANT.

You are the one who is keeping it and interacting with it, and overall you need to be happy. So go with what you want :)

[MissC89]

Oh if I went with what I wanted I would walk in to a reptile breeders home and say "I'll take the lot!"

So I'm going to start with one corn snake and one blue tongue skink and see where my collection grows from there (hoping to get a BP too eventually)

[KORBIN5895]

If you get a baby make sure it is eating. I got seven last summer and one died because it never ate, two only ate live for several months and four ate f/t no problem. I also kept them in a 12"x6"x4" plastic tub until last month. It worked fine for me. I also never use any heat other than what they get from my boa enclosure which they sit on.

[Hurrok]

Haha, yeah I'm on the same boat there! If I had unlimited monies and had the space I'd be considered the crazy snake lady :p

Cornsnakes are so cute, Blue Tongues Skinks are cool, and BPs are awesome! (I have 7 of them :D )

Beware though, once the addiction starts it never stops!

[MissC89]

I've read that you can use paper towels as substrate instead of cypress mulch. How well does that work?

[KORBIN5895]

I just use news paper for my corns. They poop too much for me to want to use anything else.

[Hurrok]

I actually use paper towel as it holds moisture fairly well for humidity. Plus its cheap too and you just replace the whole sheet(s) whenever it is spoiled. I use it for my ball pythons and my corn too.

[MissC89]

If you keep them in a Rubbermaid container, what do you use for heating?

[Hurrok]

Flexwatt Heat Tape. I get mine from BeanFarm online, plus they have the connectors and wiring that you need to set it up. :)

[MissC89]

And that sound significantly less expensive than an under tank heater. You guys/girls are so helpful!!

Now I just need to figure out where to buy the heat tape in my area...

[Hurrok]

Anything to help! You will need a Thermostat to control the heat as well so it doesn't end up burning your snake as it can get quite hot. (Over 120 degrees F!)

I recommend this one as it is a good price and so far I've had no problems:

http://www.amazon.ca/Jumpstart-Digital-Thermostat-Heat-Mats/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363803400&sr=8-2

[Donnie]

Now you've decided your getting a corn the hard work starts, choosing what morph to get :)

[MissC89]

I've compiled a list of all the morphs I like. They're probably either really expensive or hard to find.

[Donnie]

I've compiled a list of all the morphs I like. They're probably either really expensive or hard to find.

There will be plenty of hatchies to choose from soon enough so if you are patient I am sure you will get on from your list

[KORBIN5895]

I actually don't use any heat on my corn snakes.

Where are you located?

[MissC89]

I actually don't use any heat on my corn snakes.

Where are you located?

Ontario. We have -40 in the winter and +40 in the summer and my boyfriend is a little cheap on the heating, but soon we'll be in an apartment and it won't matter because it will be all inclusive!

How are you able to not use any heat?

[MissC89]

There will be plenty of hatchies to choose from soon enough so if you are patient I am sure you will get on from your list

I agree. That's why I have decided to wait until I can get what I want because I am going to have it for life.

[KORBIN5895]

Ontario. We have -40 in the winter and +40 in the summer and my boyfriend is a little cheap on the heating, but soon we'll be in an apartment and it won't matter because it will be all inclusive!

How are you able to not use any heat?

They sit on top of my boa enclosure bit I know several people that don't use any heat at all. One is gungirl on here.

[Freebody]

I recommend buying a corn snake from Welcome to Triple-R-Corns! (http://triplercorns.com/) great lady and really passionate about her snakes. my old man and I went out to her place a couple years back and it was a real pleasure. and shes got next to every morph your heart could desire all under 1 roof, may end up breaking the bank with all the options :) GL

[KORBIN5895]

My blood red corns are from a pair purchased from her. I have heard amazing things about her.

[Aaron_S]

She seems to be okay. She's had a history of "run-ins" with other corn people. Lucky they are now out of the scene.