First Snake - Page 2

Nicky · 06-16-04, 09:16 AM

My first snake was a corn he's always been a sweety never bites did go off feed once for 4 months though which was a bit fusterating. I know i;m repeating what alot of people have said but corns truely are a re great first snake. Especailly if you have kids just because a ball python is much more easly stressed and since there nocturnal your kids will most likely never see him/ her out cruising around as a corn would. I"ve never worked with a king so I can;t comment on them but if you want a snake that is usually very docile,sweet won;t bite and has a high tolerance of handleing a corn is the way to go. Corns also come in tons of cool colors and are relativly cheap to maintain and don;t get to big.
Just my thoughts
Kayla

btw good luck with whatever you get and post pics

NewLineReptile · 06-16-04, 09:22 AM

Carpet python

Brandon

HighFlyer · 06-16-04, 02:58 PM

Thanks to all who responded!

I decided to go with the Corn Snake based upon all the advice and what I have read elsewhere. Also, I figured that the Corn would be more active during the day than the Ball Python which is nocturnal.

So, I placed an order today for a Corn Snake which should arrive next Wednesday. Now I just have to decide on a color!

I have a 10 gallon tank set up with a 10-20 gallon UTH, 2 small hollow log hides, a corner water dish, 2 thermometers (one for each side of the tank), a humidity gauge and a 100 watt heat lamp. The tank is 75 to 80 degrees without the heat lamp being on and 85 to 90 degrees (on the hot side) when its on.

Is this a good set-up? Should I replace the heat lamp with a UVA
lamp?

Thanks!

HighFlyer

sapphire_moon · 06-16-04, 07:03 PM

And as for kids or even anyone else for that matter.
If it has a mouth, it can bite!

Doesn't matter if it's a ball python, corn snake, or king snake.

Nicky · 06-16-04, 08:02 PM

The temps seem fine the basking spot seems a bit high i usually keep my warm end a few degrees cooler but it won't make much of a difference as corns thrive very well in a variety of conditions. Tank setup seems fine too. just out of curiosity what is the uth for? at night? because at night you can just let it drop to room temp so you don't really need the uth ( unless i read your post wrong and am just confusing you then forget what I just said lol). Two hides sounds great just make sure you have one on both side so your new snake can choose and thermoregulate(probably spelt that wrong sorry). Also i'm not sure if you have a copy but the cornsnake manual by kathy love is an excellent book which will answer many of your questions along with tons of cool pics of different color morphs you can pick one up at most pet stores or order a copy from her site at http://www.corn-utopia.com/.
Good luck with your new snake and don't hesitate to ask if you ever have any questions as theres tons of knowlagable people on these forums

have fun
Kayla

p.s pics pics pics everyone loves pics

Fishandsnakelov · 06-18-04, 11:56 AM

Even though no one has mentioned them Garter Snakes are a good beginners Snake also. They are pretty timid and grow to about 2 ft give or take a few inches.

HighFlyer · 06-18-04, 11:56 AM

I was told that the UTH was required in order to provide appropriate temperatures in the tank. I usually leave the UTH on at all times and only keep the heat lamp on a few hours at a time and never overnight. Also, I keep the air conditioning relatively cold in that room at night in the warm weather and in winter, I let temperatures drop to about 62 overnight.

Based on this, my thinking is that the UTH is the best way to continuously maintain adequate temperastures. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

HighFlyer

Cake · 06-18-04, 12:13 PM

I love it, someone who has actaully thought everything out and asked the right questions before they actually purchased a snake. I congradulate you Highflyer, I wish there was more people out there like you.

As for keeping the UTH on overnight as a heat source, just check your temps whithout the lamp on and if they are within tollerences then you are fine..

Simon Sansom · 06-18-04, 04:29 PM

Why does everyone "freak out" over being bitten by even small colubrids...? I mean, it's not like a dog-bite, for cryin' out loud!
I know folks who will happily rough-house with dogs or cats and allow themselves to be playfully nipped/scratched, yet they get upset over even a tiny snake-nip, lol!

Always wondered why...?

Cheers!

Simon R. Sansom

MouseKilla · 06-20-04, 10:03 PM

Snakes just look scarier that's all. lol!

It's true though, a pet hamster is capable of a worse bite than most colubrids.

I was bitten the other day by a 5 foot pine snake and all I got was four little scratches, and that's from a bite that included him coiling around my arm and gnawing on my hand. It bled a little but it was really nothing. I've had much worse cat scratches.

Corns and cal kings don't get as big as pines and are totally incapable of causing any significant injury.

Simon Sansom · 06-21-04, 04:31 AM

LOL, 'Killa!

Snakes really don't have much jaw-power, so a bite's basically just a pinch.

Yes, hamsters are vicious little S.O.B's aren't they?

Cheers!

Simon R. Sansom

jjnnbns · 06-21-04, 07:00 AM

HighFlyer-

I would suggest IMMEDIATELY getting a temp gun or else a digital thermometer instead of your circular stick on ones. THere is one at Walmart for under $15 and it also tells you the humidity.

This is because the "stickies" only measure ambient air temps and I would guess that the surface temp is going to be too hot where the UTH is, as they nearly always need a dimmer so that they don't cook corn.

I don't want to be rude, as I was impressed that you have done so much research ahead of time (Congrats!) but I do want to help you to take the best care of your new favorite pet!

Any other questoins just ask,
Brent Strande

PS
Have you decided which color morph to go with?

rwg · 06-23-04, 01:21 PM

People freak out about colubrid bites because they've never been bitten before. The first time our cat scratched my daughter she was freaked out too. She has gotten used to it. Several of our snakes have struck at or bitten my wife and I, and our daughter has found that very off-putting. It's natural and instinctive to be scared of being bitten.

A corn is a great decision. I agree that kings are hungry more than aggressive, but a bite is a bite, and if your kids get traumatized by being bitten, they may be put off reptiles for a long time. I have to warn you though...once you get used to your corn, you may find yourself handling every snake in the pet store every time you go in. Next thing you know you're like me...15 snakes living next to my bed, and my father-in-law wont visit anymore.

rg

Beardonicus · 06-23-04, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Snakes really don't have much jaw-power, so a bite's basically just a pinch.

Get bit by an ETB, or boid over 6 feet and then tell me they don't have any jaw power LOL.

But yeah, most colubrid bites aren't anything to freak out over....I get nailed on a daily basis by my pissy female Yellow Rat.

Also, good luck with your Corn, highflyer, I think you made an excellent choice!