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Anyone seen this corn care video?! (link)

I was led to believe that corn snakes do not require any special lighting needs, but that ultra violet lights could be harmful to the snake.

Also...did you happen to see the piece of substrate that was stuck to the mouse as it fed?
 
Yeah, that was another thing I noticed...As well as the viv size, and the handling BEFORE feeding being bad...
Any other opinions?
 
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Let's point out the things that were wrong in this video:
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1.) Feeding on substrate.
2.) They say that if your corn snake is looking for more food afterwords, then feed it again. This is NOT true. Corn Snakes, along with other snakes are opportunistic feeders. They will feed as much as they possibly can at a time because they don't know when there next meal is. They will always act hungry afterwords, thats just they way they are..
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Corn snakes do not need a UVB light, but it has not shown (that I know of) to be harmful.
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Also, I have heard not to handle before feeding snakes. I have done it before and It didnt change the feeding response at all.
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Ryan McCullough
MC Reptiles
 
As a general guide, I didn't really think it was too bad. OK, they don't need UV, but UV in small amounts like they recommended isn't really harmful. The tank size is bigger than necessary, but it doesn't hurt to have one that big. Bottled water isn't really necessary, as they do fine with dechlorinated tap water, but it doesn't hurt anything.

The thermometer they show is crap, but they got the temps right at least. AND they said the heat mat needs to be regulated. How many times does a US pet store tell you that?

I don't advocate feeding in the Viv, but they didn't recommend crickets, and they did say not to handle for a few days after feeding. OK, they didn't get the reason right, but they got the recommendation right. And I don't agree with feeding more if your snake appears to be still hungry, but they also said not to overfeed as it will cause obesity.

My conclusion is, it had its faults, but most of them were rather minor.
 
If I were to get a UV bulb, would affect my ghost? He is not albino at all right? I use a black light as a night light...Is this alright...? If not what should I use as a night light, without it, it would be pitch black...
Dustin
 
dusterdust said:
If I were to get a UV bulb, would affect my ghost? He is not albino at all right? I use a black light as a night light...Is this alright...? If not what should I use as a night light, without it, it would be pitch black...
Dustin
Click to expand...
Flourescent black lights are harmful to your snake, if I remember correctly. I have a book on the color morphs of corn snakes and I seem to remember the author saying that displaying your snake under a flourescent black light was harmful. I can't remember the book or author's name off the top of my head, and I am at work, so it isn't handy...sorry.

I use a red incandescent light for night viewing, BTW.
 
(wish I could edit my posts)

It is a low wattage red incandescent light...25W, so it doesnt produce a lot of heat, just provides a low visible light so I can see my snake doing her thing.
 
Oh, it isn't for night viewing...I use it because I was told that corns couldn't see in the dark and require some light...If the black light is actually harmful, I'll stop using it...
Red you say? How does that work for you?
Dustin
 
Snakes in general have a very acute sense of touch. They don't need to see to be able to get where they want to go. My snakes are fine with what light manages to filter into their cages from outside during the night.
 
I like the red incandescent bulb at night. It doesn't appear to bother my snake, as she is definately much more active at night, even with it on, and it allows me to view her night activities.
 
I've put a UV bulb in my tank and run it in the afternoon. The humidity is high in our house (and in the local area in general) - around 75% in the room and the bulb brings it down in the tank to the 60s (still high i guess but better than in the 70s). The ventilation on my 2ft tank comprises of a mesh measuring 12 inches by 8 inches (approx 1/3 of the lid) and I've only a small water bowl on the cool side so I don't see what else I can do really
 
The thing about black lights is that they have associated with seizures in snakes. Personally, I wouldn't risk it.

The snake doesn't need any light. What light we put on them is for our benefit, so that we can see them. I use flourescent aquarium bulbs on mine for daytime viewing and 25 watt red bulbs for night time viewing.
 
RachelS said:
Can you not edit posts til you have a certain poats count?
Click to expand...

You have to be a contributor to the site to be able to edit posts.

BeckyG said:
The thing about black lights is that they have associated with seizures in snakes. Personally, I wouldn't risk it.
Click to expand...

Becky, do you have a link to any articles on this topic?? I remember reading about the harmful effects of black lights on living animals (I think it was fish though) and can't seem to find any information one way or the other now.
 
I found several things wrong in the video, but rather than focus on that I'd like to comment on the concept. We have so many gifted and knowledgable people on this forum, I'm sure some of our tech savy members could do a better job. I think such a video would be a great companion to the FAQs.
 
I don't have any links to articles, other than what Lenny posted. I got the information from some people I used to be on e-mail groups with. They stated that they had used black lights and the snakes were having seizures. Someone on the group cited an article. It may be the one Lenny linked, but it was so long ago I don't remember the URL.
 
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