Wife let me get a baby corn

Hey all,

My wife and I went to the pet store today and she let me get a baby corn snake. I forgot to ask the guy when they were hatched so I think I'll run by there again tomorrow so I know for sure. After we left the store she asked me if for the substrate we could use cross cut shredded paper? (something about at her work and it's diamond shaped like confetti) I'll have to post some pictures tomorrow so someone can help me determine what morph it is. They guy said it was just a normal corn but when I goggled them it doesn't look like the majority of the pics I've seen. BTW this is my first snake and it just worked out since the store was having a reptile sale. Tanks were 1$ a gallon and corns were on sale for 30. I picked the 20L tank hope that was a good choice. When I was there I couldn't remember the substrates that were suggested so the kid there said that he used coconut fiber so we got some of that but I shredded up some newspaper tonight since I didn't realize you had to wet it down to get it to fluff up. It ate last friday so was thinking that Saturday would be a good day to try and feed that gives it 3days to get use to the new surroundings. Is there an easy way to figure out the sex cause calling it, IT is kinda weird since I haven't named it yet. Any suggestions on anything would I should do or not do would be appreciated.

Hi.......... Your viv may be a little on he large size, hatchlings like things snug for a while to gain security...... Kitchen towel is a great substrate to start them out on...... And let it settle for about 10 days or so before feeding......
I'm sure others will join this thread and elaborate more on how to keep your first snake, but that should start you in the right direction......
As for it being a normal, they come in all sorts of patterns.... Put up a pic and someone will ID it for sure for you.......

Hello and welcome! :wavey:

Getting a first snake is sooo exciting, isn't it? I'm a newbie here as well, but there is a wealth of information here to help you out.

Here is a FAQ regarding basic husbandry: http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28341

As for your tank, make sure you add a lot of hides such as toilet paper tubes, silk plants and things like that so your little one will feel secure.

Did you get a heat mat and thermostat? That's one of the most important things you'll need aside from food and water. It's covered in the FAQ, but snakes require belly heat, so a lamp on the top is not recommended.

Another great thing about using white paper towels is that you'll be able to see if there are any mites on the snake which can happen in pet store conditions. Look for tiny black specks that move.

Read over the FAQ and feel free to ask any questions you have. There are tons of breeders and experts here that can answer any questions you throw at them.

Oh, and sexing a snake should be done by professionals (not at the pet store) so unless you plan on breeding it, s/he really won't care what you call him/her.

Have fun, and congrats on your new pet!

Whoops, well it's all over now!
You just stepped into a new addiction, and you didn't even know it!
Welcome!

Congratulations on your new pet, and welcome to the forum - and yes, Beth's right; to the addiction. You're off to a good start. Shredded paper is fine, as long as there weren't any toxic dyes involved. And your current tank will work as well; just provide plenty of hiding spaces. Baby snakes do live in the great outdoors, after all, which is much larger than any viv. The secret is making them feel safe. A 20 gal will take your baby all the way to adulthood.
Again, welcome.

Baby normals don't look at all like adult normals- they change a lot!! I like aspen for the substrate, they love to burrow. I have a very small baby in a 20L- she's been in there since she weighed 7 grams. You just have to provide lots of hides, lots of vines, etc. She especially likes perching on the vines that are suctioned to the walls. Also, check any plastic branches for tiny holes a snake can get into, and close them up with aquarium silicone.

This is a 20L set up for a baby.

Looks like all the bases are covered, so I simply say, Welcome to the forum! Hope to see you around all the time and also hope to see pics of your little one.

Congrats!

Fred

Welcome and congrats on the new corn snake.

Hmm.. I wonder when he will get his second? It took me a whole week to decide to get my second corn. (3 weeks for the third

Leologan42 said:

Welcome and congrats on the new corn snake.

Hmm.. I wonder when he will get his second? It took me a whole week to decide to get my second corn. (3 weeks for the third

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I was only planning on getting two for my first, in November. It's still August and I have 4!

jenneses said:

I was only planning on getting two for my first, in November. It's still August and I have 4!

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LOL. I've been on other snake forums and had resisted purchasing others...

I only recently came here and all the sudden I'm + 7 Corns with 2 more coming after Friday (LOL... Jynx).

There's something about being exposed to everyone's pics!

To the original poster... beware late night surfing/lurking. Go watch some TV!

Fred

Congrats on the new critter. She Who Must Be Obeyed let me have a corn too! How cool is that?

wade said:

Congrats on the new critter. She Who Must Be Obeyed let me have a corn too! How cool is that?

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What after all the carpets....LOL.... Wade your such a wag.....

What's a wag????

A fun lover....

SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED - why has my husband never learned that title? *sigh*

The_Thunderer said:

LOL. I've been on other snake forums and had resisted purchasing others...

I only recently came here and all the sudden I'm + 7 Corns with 2 more coming after Friday (LOL... Jynx).

There's something about being exposed to everyone's pics!

To the original poster... beware late night surfing/lurking. Go watch some TV!

Fred

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Better post pics (especially of the hypo lavs). I agree with with you that late night lurking being dangerous to your wallet and determination.

snakewispera snr said:

A fun lover....

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I thought it meant something else?

SnakesRule1234 said:

I thought it meant something else?

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Fun lover, practical joker...etc
Recently it has stood for Wife And/or Girlfriend. Usually a model on the arm of some premiership footballer.