new snake

zachyg · 03-02-13, 01:14 PM

So on the 10th i will be going to the cleveland reptile show to get my first snake which will be a corn. tank is all setup up, warm hide is 85 cool side is 72 humidity is about 66%. i believe these are good temps just wanted to double check. and also that when picking out a snake they should have lot of tongue activity, no discharge from mouth or nose and should be alert. also i should ask the seller when last time fed and shed and get contact info from seller. Is this all correct or am i missing/forgetting something?

SnakeyJay · 03-02-13, 05:16 PM

Check for mites, if there is any they should be more prominent around the neck and head.. If your not sure what they look like then do a little research on them.. Goodluck

Gravelanche · 03-02-13, 08:40 PM

wow, dude did his homework, props, the only other thing normally might be quarantine but if it's your only reptile no need there

Corey209 · 03-02-13, 08:41 PM

Appears pretty good, especially for your first snake.

zachyg · 03-03-13, 12:08 PM

yeah ive read a bunch of care sheets and bought a book. I will try to get photo of him before he goes into cage

Terranaut · 03-03-13, 12:18 PM

Finally someone who did it right. Kudos to you.

aaron_cg · 03-09-13, 08:27 PM

Good job on all your research! Hopefully you find the right one for you, and can't wait to see pics of it once you have it

Chu'Wuti · 03-09-13, 09:37 PM

Love to read about someone who has not only done his research, but who also has already set up the enclosure and ensured that lighting, temps, etc. are correct!!! Might ask about last time the snake pooped, what it was fed (size/type--F/T or live, mouse or rat, pinky/fuzzy/pup or weight) and age. Also observe snake's general condition--a colubrid such as a corn snake should look like an upside-down U, not like an upside-down V. If it looks like the latter, it either hasn't been eating, it hasn't been fed adequately, or it has some health issue that isn't as obvious as some of the respiratory stuff.

Only one caveat to your list of things to observe--if you go late in the day, the snake may be pretty quiet/inactive if it was handled a lot before you got there.

Good luck!