Chicago, about to purchase.

Hi there! I'm Dazzles and I'm from Chicago.

I'm going to be purchasing a baby corn snake soon.

I've found this site to be amazingly helpful thus far.

8+ hours of research on the internet last night, and I still don't know everything I need to know about being a good snake owner.

I will be utilizing the search function in a bit, but, in case it doesn't wield the results I'd like....I thought I'd ask here.

What is the general consensus on the vertical Exo Terra vivs with the swinging doors? Is it impossible to reach the proper temperature gradient in one? I find them more aesthetically pleasing than an aquarium, but if they are unsuitable I would have no problems purchasing a correct home.

Thank you in advance,
Dazz

Welcome! The Exo Terra enclosures are not suitable for corn snakes because they are, for the most, part terrestrial. I always recommend a 20 Long with a screen top that is secured with clips or part of the aquarium's top as a sliding clipped lid; like Zilla Cages. UTH is the best way to heat snakes but a dome lamp on top of the cage works as well.
If you come out to the Wheaton All Animal show stop by and say "hi".

Terri

I have one that I have a lizard in. I pretty much hate it. I wouldn't trust it with a snake, either.

PS- I would highly recommend Terri for buying a snake from, if she has any right now!!

Hi there! I got my snake! I love him/her.

I took your advice and got a zilla with a sliding/snapping lid.

I got a 10L for now (2-3 months) so that I don't have a huge aquarium to haul when I move.

I actually DO plan to go to the SS Wheaton show!! I'm gonna see about getting more pinkies from there, and checking out the cool setups.

I'm so excited and happy right now I'm practically crying.

Here are some REALLY terrible pictures, I just don't want to bug him/her too much for awhile, though I did play with him for 2-3 minutes while I took these.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/curryc/0315102002-00.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/curryc/0315102004-01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/curryc/0315102005-00.jpg

Oh also!

I have no idea which morph I have, only that he's albino, and the pet store labeled the box "2 amel".

He's probably amelanistic. Is he dark and light orange and white? With light red eyes?? Amelanistic means "without black."

Yeah, there is no black on him at all. Just the varying shades of orange and he has dark orangey eyes.

Usually albino species of animals creep me out with their bright red eyes, but his are not like that at all.

(I have hamsters and used to have bunnies, albino hammies and buns are scary )

I took more pictures, not exactly BETTER pictures, but more!

I'm uncertain as to the snake's gender. And since this snake will be my only one, with no intentions of breeding, I think I may just pick a neutral name, or just go with whatever I like. Suggestions are very much welcome!

I also understand what the above poster meant by amel vs. albino. I wasn't clear before, but spent a few hours reading stuff over. The pet store sold the snake as "albino". But they get the snakes from a local breeder, a woman, who had it marked as amel. The poor pet store person was helpful, but not entirely knowledgeable. Me being less knowledgeable, well...I just went with albino. Amel explains why his eyes are a light color and not a beady red color!

I love my snake. More than I've liked any other animal. I sit and watch him, he's so pretty!

Here are the pictures:



This may seem like a silly question, but, as you can see in the picture I am wearing nail polish. Should I stop doing so in case the snake nips at my finger? I don't want him to get into anything toxic.

I've named him Betelgeuse!

Actually, I've decided to go with the Orion.

I casually mentioned Betelgeuse to a friend and she named her snake that before I decided!

Oh well, Orion suits him fine.

Love it!! <3

Welcome & congrats on the new addition! I don't think you really need to worry about the nail polish. Does your snake have belly checks? Orion looks a bit like a Motley Amel to me, but I could be wrong. If there are belly checkers will tell us whether or not it is. You might find this thread helpful, it describes how to candle sex a young corn. Candle sexing is the most accurate non-invasive method.
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?p=752431#post752431

Thanks so much for the reply!!

I'll check his tummy for checkers.

Also, one of the things I love about him is that towards his head he looks like he is red with orange circles, but around his middle it switches to look like orange with red circles. He's such a cutie.

Finally got to look at his belly, and it is solid white/cream.