Corn Questions

Dark_Angel_x322 · 07-11-03, 01:49 PM

Ok so I am thinking of getting a corn snake sometime soon. Maybe when I go to the North American Reptile Breeder's Conference & Trade Show in Chicago on Oct 11th & 12th, but maybe before then if I find one I really like. So on to the questions...

1)What is a good size enclosure for an adult corn? My mother may be giving me her 45 gallon fish tank. Is this an okay size?
2)Can you house more than one together without stressing them? if so what size enclosure?
3)What is a good price range for a corn (most expensive to least)? I need to know how much I should save.

4)Is there a good site for corn morphs?
5)I like the pewter from the morphs I have seen on websites. How much does one of these generally cost and how hard are they to find?
6)I have never owned a snake (I have lizards now), is this the right snake to choose? I seen a nice snake at Petco that I liked, i think it was a Ball or a Boa (it was brown & black) and the tag said it only gets to be 6' but I don't think I am ready for either of those since I have no snake expericence and also I am a small woman (5'3") and would be the sole handler of the snake.
7) How do you tell a healthy corn when buying?
8)How hard are they to care for?
9)Do you have any reading suggestions or helpful books that you use for reference?

Ok I think that about does it...for now.

Really any suggestions would be great! I just know I want a snake.

Thanks in advance!

07-11-03, 02:01 PM

a 20 gal. long is fine for adults, so the 45 will be great.
best to always house seperately, better record keeping, no stress, less possibility of cross transmission if something happens.
a normal can be as little as $20 USD up to some of the more rare like striped laverders at possibly over $500 USD
Rich Zuchowski's serpenco site, and Kathy Love's cornutopia are both really good as is south mountain.
Rich I think has pewters.
Buy from a breeder.
Corns are great pets.

Matt · 07-11-03, 02:15 PM

everything you need to know is in this book

its an awesome book, and a mut have for the first time cornsnake owner......pick it up!!!!!

Corn Snake Manual

Dark_Angel_x322 · 07-11-03, 03:04 PM

I think I will get that book and I was just looking at the vendors for the show I am going to and Kathy Love is going to be there with her snakes. So I think I will try to wait to get my snake from her since she and her husband wrote the book. Any other info would be great!

Thanks!

Dark_Angel_x322 · 07-14-03, 09:51 PM

Any other reading selections just incase i can't wait until Oct to get my first corn?

I definently plan on one from kathy love but I might get one before then as i have "the itch" for a snake.

Which snake is better for a beginner a Corn or a Ball python? How big do each of these get? I want a snake that will be easy for me (a small 5'3" woman) to handle and tame.

Katt · 07-14-03, 11:06 PM

Both corns and balls are easily handable.

However, I say corn. PRETTIER! But why not get one of each, hehehe.

Dark_Angel_x322 · 07-14-03, 11:21 PM

I would buy both but I am still learning herps and it would be my first snake and I don't have the money to do 2 whole setups at the moment. I just read a post on balls and i am not sure they are the best snake for me cuz I just read that they can be troubled eaters, especially from a petstore and that is the place I seen the ball I liked.

This it kind of confusing...I think I will make another post...

vanderkm · 07-14-03, 11:36 PM

Although ball pythons are passive and easily handled, in my opinion, they are more readily stressed and require a more specialized environment than cornsnakes. They also have a habit of fasting during winter months and it is enough to drive you nuts. Just check out the ball python forum for how many posts there are on non-feeding ball pythons.

I think corns make an ideal first snake - nice size, eat readily, active and gentle. There are many colors to chose from and they do well with a wide variety of housing conditions. The only disadvantage we have found is that they tend to be nocternal, so are not out as much during the day as something like a kingsnake. The kings are also a fun snake, but may be a bit more active, and more likely to mistake your fingers for food than cornsnakes are!

good luck with your choice,

mary v.

enso · 07-14-03, 11:59 PM

Good choice going to Kathy. She has some vivid corns. Plus meeting her will be a bonus. Good luck.

drewlowe · 07-15-03, 09:42 AM

another good book suggestion. "What's wrong with my snake". It's not on one particular snake, but i love that book. I belive it is a must have for anyone just starting out with snakes. sorry i forgot who it is by and the book is at home.

Darlene · 07-15-03, 12:05 PM

There is a corn versus ball thread going on already. I believe it is in the general discussion forum. Corns are very adaptable. They are my first (now have 3!!). They are nocturnal but mine come out in the daytime now due to being in a darker spot of the livingroom, my kids getting them out in the morn/afternoon & having been fed in the daytime sometimes. I think they are absolutely marvelous & have 3 to 4 more coming !! I'm sure you'll be happy with yours.
Darlene.

Dark_Angel_x322 · 07-15-03, 01:39 PM

Yeah I started the ball verus corn thread in the general area because I had originally made this thread to find out about corns and did not think the debate would work on here because this is the corn forum and the title is corn questions so I would probably not get a fair vote on here. I have decided to get the corn so now I just have to push my mom to get her new fishtank so I can have her 45gallon and then I can begin to set up for my new baby.

So any info, links, or book titles on corns would be appreciated.

Thanks!

tai_pan1 · 07-15-03, 05:56 PM

My opinions:
Read the Cornsnake manual first.

Get a Corn rather than a Ball.

Set up your enclosure first, after reading the Cornsnake manual.

Go to the show in October ( I went to the Philly show last year and it was great) There will be a lot of snakes to choose from and you can go hands on to see if your comfortable with a particular snake. Also, snakes often look different in person than they do in a photo. Kathy should be at that show, so bring your book and she'll sign it for you. At the Philly show she probably had a hundred corns to choose from (or more).

Good luck and happy herping!

Mike