a couple of newbie questions

[stefmc24]

within the next couple of weeks, i plan on buying my first corn. i've been reading this message board for about two weeks now & i think i'm addicted already (they're just so adorable)!!! i bought kathy love's the corn snake manual & it has pretty much answered all of my questions, but raised some as well. i'm just trying to have ALL of my questions answered before i bring the little guy home.

with that said, here are my questions:

1. snake steak sausages: are they as nutritional for snakes as actual frozen mice? i have no problem with feeding the frozen mice...but i live with a roommate. she will love the snake just like me, but having frozen mice in the freezer next to her hot pockets might take some getting used to. if at all possible, i'd like to use the sausages, but definitely not at the expense of a healthy snake. does anyone have experience with the snake steak sausages?

2. where to buy??? i have visited the local pet store twice in the last two weeks, hoping to get a good view of some of the different morphs of corn snakes. the shop had three hatchlings, one ghost-looking, one creamsicle & one normal. they were in tiny tanks with no hides & under one source of light (& i'm assuming one temperature). the creamsicle & normal were housed together & upon both visits, were laying in the exact same position as the previous visit. i noticed the feeding schedule was once every 5 days, with a couple of "refused food" written in on their chart. unfortunately, i was not able to hold any of the snakes (i waited for about 30 minutes on a slow night with no help from the salesperson), but i did notice that neither of the three snakes were doing ANY tongue flicking (don't know exactly if that is good or bad). i have also been looking around online & see that there are quite a few online breeders available. i wouldn't be opposed to ordering online, but i hesitate since i am new to the business & do not know who is reputable & who is not. some websites i have been to are: south mountain, bayou reptiles, cornsnakes.net, & kathy love's site. any suggestions of a dependable online breeder? i'm basically looking for a normal corn hatchling, male or female, & am willing to spend $15-$40 plus the cost of shipping ($20-$45). i'd much rather pay a little more for a healthy snake who will be shipped safely than risk injury or death of a snake because of someone's neglect.


those are pretty much the only two questions i have. once i figure them out, i'll be good to go & all set for a new addition to the family!

thanks in advance for any replies, it's really great to see so many knowledgeable people willing to lend their advice!!!!

and sorry for being so long winded! lol.

 

[cornman1979]

snake steak sausages are ground up mice then placed in a skin thats the same as normal sausages. They are nutritious, but i would recomend mice instead. I have used the sausages on the odd ocasion, but most snakes would take a mouse more redily.

As to suppliers go to the for sale section of this site. I haven't ordered from here being from the UK, but off the top of my head Rick Z, Hurley, taceas, skye, ecreipeoj and a few others are reputable dealers from what i have heard and read about them.
You could also try Kathy love as she ships overnight as well Kathys site

 

[fatalfx]

friend just gave me a cornsnake and it is white as paper no other flaw or color or anything. with red to pink eyes what the hell is it . its so cool looking under black light lol...........ps i got it for 10 bucks and its about 12 inches long......mabee hair longer.........

 

[oldhand]

sounds like a snow or blizzard to me

 

[fatalfx]

all the blizzards ive seen have some kind of color havent seen a pure white one yet

 

[cornman1979]

Most blizzards have saddles that are almost identicle to the rest of their body, but you can still see the saddles. Depending on the trait (amel or anery) some have a little yellow running down their heads and upper neck like an anery.

 

[Susan]

Stefmc24 - It sounds like you've done your homework and are ready for your first cornsnake! I have no experience with the sausages but will suggest keeping your frozen mice in an opaque container so your room-mate won't be able to actually see them when she goes in there for a hot pocket. They can't be any worse than the styrofoam container of worms my husband has in the fridge next to the childrens LunchMates!

Definately avoid buying a snake from a pet shop. Too many horror stories about pet store snakes. Either buy on-line or go to a reptile expo, if you can find one near you. Going to an expo will give you the opportunity to see what you're buying and talk to the breeder about the snake. You will also be able to save on shipping. Check out the For Sale section on this forum and also FaunaClassifieds (direct link available from this forum, just scroll down). You may have trouble finding an '04 normal since they tend to sell out quickly, but there are probably some still available. If you're not sure about the seller, check them out on the Board of Inquiry (BOI) located in FaunaClassifieds. Just put the name in the search.

I do know of an older normal corn, unsexed, that is available. It is a wild-caught, probably 2 yrs old. My nephew had it for about a year, then it was in my possession for a few months. It was going to be a gift for another forum member, but no one has been able to contact her since October. The snake is currently with Mike Beberman of MotherGecko and is now up for sale. Mike may also have a few other morphs available still. You can e-mail him at [email protected]. Tell Mike that Susan sent you.

You can also wait for the '05 breeding season to get into full swing. I know that Hurley already has some hatching, but most breeders will just be taking their adults out of brumation over the next month or so.

 

[stefmc24]

susan & cornman 1979-
thanks for all your help! it's awesome knowing if i ever have a corn problem, i can come to these boards and receive expert advice!!!

thanks again!

-steph

 

[JTGoff69]

For breeders, anyone here will recommend Rich Z, (Serpenco.com) he has great specimens (I've personally had one and regret selling it!) , Kathy Love is the Queen of cornsnakes, Don Soderberg at South Mountain has beautiful snakes and a great rep, Joe Pierce (ecreipeoj ) is a great guy to deal with and has great snakes (my 2 butter mots are from him), and my normal is from ChaosCat and is BEAUTIFUL! Hurley, as well, and Skye, Susan, the list goes on and on here ALL have wonderful snakes and are great people.
You have definitely come to the right place for help and guidance,,,,welcome!
As for the snake steak sausages......I've thought about it, but never used them. I have a separate freezer for my mice. I've told everyone in the house that the snakes have as much right to the freezer room as they do, and I would much rather feed a whole animal to them than parts.

 

[MegF.]

Reptile shows are a good place to get snakes too. That's where I got my first one. You can hold a variety of hatchlings and find the mellowest one. You'll also have a chance to see a variety of morphs in one place so that you can choose your favorite color.