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Brand New First Time Snake Owner

gracierose9581

gracierose9581

New member
Hello,
I've owned a lot of pets in my life, but never a reptile. Today, after a lot of research, thought, consideration for several weeks, we purchased our first snake. We got him from a teenage girl who only had him for a month and decided she didn't want a snake. I became a member of this forum today, but I have been lurking for weeks. I appreciate any help, advice, anything you can offer.
So we brought him (I am saying him even though I have no idea if he is a she or not) home tonight and got him all set up. He ate a pinkie so well. These pictures were taken after his meal. After he ate he explored his new digs and then curled up in one of his hides and there he is (hopefully) happily digesting.

I don't know how old he is, what he is, nada. Like I said, I am brand new to the snake thing. I think that he is beautiful. He hasn't been held much so after he has digested I hope to start handling him. Any way, anyone know what he might be (color-wise), and any other suggestions I appreciate any. Thanks again and I hope to learn a lot! Oh, and he needs a name :)February 2013 (1) 1 (800x503).jpg
February 2013 (9) 1 (800x791).jpg
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February 2013 (11) 1 (800x560).jpg
 
Nice little amel! And I know it's too late now, but it's usually best to wait a week before feeding a new addition, sometimes the stress of moving can make them sick (but not always so don't stress it!). I'd give him five days to digest and settle in before handling him. Next time you feed him you can start handling after about 48 hours :)
 
and I"m not sure that's straight amel, so ask one of the breeders. I can't do it by sight, but mine is an amel and they look pretty different.
 

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There is a ton of variance within the "amel" classification.

Some have a bit more red, some a bit more yellow or white, but all are amels. Same thing with a good number of the morphs. They can have a little color swing toward lighter or darker, but they are still a certain gene.

That's the beauty of working with animals and fancy genetics. Nothing is set in stone and not every amel, lavender or caramel is going to look exact the same.
 
Hi Grace!
I'm also relatively new to reptiles, I've had our snake for just over a month now. I'm sure you'll have a few questions along the way, and by far this has been the best place to come for answers :)
When we brought ours home, she burrowed under the aspen for a few weeks, unless we dug her up for feeding. We only knew she was active because by morning their would be tunnels all throughout her viv. Our kids were super disappointed that they could never even see this snake they bought. I know corn's are ground dwellers, but as soon as we had a fake rock wall, this is where we find our snake all the time, unless she's digesting a meal. She uses the wall to go from one side to the other, she will not travel by ground lol.....Anyways, moral of my story: You may find that she doesn't do much at first but hide. But I'm sure it won't be long before you start seeing their little quirks and personalities. Cornsnakes are very easy maintenance, which I find a major plus. They don't smell like rodents, they don't require relentless pampering like dog's and cats (although dogs are my life) and they are relatively inexpensive. I think I pay $.80/week for meals right now and the only other expense is the 30lb bag of aspen which will last me many, many more months. You can make your own hides, you can buy cheap moss (for shedding) from a garden centre, and other than that you just need your thermostat and UTH, which may cost a few bucks up front, but then your set!

Enjoy your new cornsnake :) I'd love to know what you name him/her and see progression pics!
 
I too second waiting 5 days before you start your handling sessions. that way the little Guy/girl has some time to get used to the new smells, and sounds of its new home. :)

after that you can start you handling sessions, and will only have to wait 48 hours after feeding until you can start handling them again. ;)

Congrats on your new baby, their a lot of fun! :D
 
Thank you everyone for your help! I knew I should wait to feed him, but the girl said he should eat and I was nervous about not getting it right..... I'm like a nervous new mom. I didn't sleep at all last night worrying about if he was warm enough! This morning he was still on the cool side of the tank all curled up in his hide. I just checked to make sure he was still alive (see, neurotic new mom!) and let him be. My 7 year old daughter is ecstatic about having a snake, but disappointed that he's hiding. I have been explaining to her that he needs time to digest and adjust. Thank you also for the advice on not handling him yet. I want him to be tame, but I don't want to traumatize him either! I will wait the 5 days, feed him again, and then wait a few days more before we start that process.
Any suggestions about what to expect once I start handling him? Like I said, I don't think that he has been handled much in the last month.
Thanks again for the welcomes!! I look forward to learning as much as possible!
 
Hi and welcome :) that's one pretty snake!
Be careful though, I said I'd only get one, 3 months later and I have 4!
Congratulations :)
 
gracierose9581 said:
Any suggestions about what to expect once I start handling him? Like I said, I don't think that he has been handled much in the last month.
Thanks again for the welcomes!! I look forward to learning as much as possible!
Click to expand...

I was a bit worried at first, I got a tail rattle once but she's NEVER even attempted to bite. We have three kids (13, 11 and 8) who all love her to death and all want to hold her at the same time. She is SO good, a million times better than expected.
I allow the kids to quietly and gently take turns handling her, for about 15minutes in total. I try to remind them once she grow's more, they can handle her more but for now, it's very important she get's used to being held just as much as they get used to handling her.

When you do start handling her, remember to gently pick her up mid-section. Don't go near their head, that scares them. I've never been musked, but she did poop on our son lol
 
awe, I'm sure any new addition is always exciting for a child. :D
and I know what you mean about being a paranoid owner!

aha, im always watching the temps like a hawk. lol

as for your first handling, I would just recommended picking him up the first time and handling him close to the floor or if you have other pets close to the bottom of his tank, just for the first few minuets.
they can be squarmy little guys, flailing all over the place if their not used to being handled, and this way if you don't drop him/her by accident the fall wont be soo far.

once they have calmed down, (they could even be calm right from the start!) you can then start to lift them up and keep them out for longer periods of time. :)

I hope this helps a bit$ :eek:
 
snakes should come with a warning lable about that-
"snakes are addicting, please keep responsibly"
I have only one, and was determined to only ever have one, but now.....
 
twinblades- aha! this is VERY much true! I got sirius thinking; "I only want the one, and I mean how could you NEED more than the one?" but here I am now looking for a Hognose hatchling to add to the family.. :eek:

My boyfriend has given me the limit of 3, but I quickly changed that number to 4 plus the one he plans to get!! ;) mwahaha he agreed! :dancer:

oh lord, I can tottaly see how people go from 1 to 6 in all of 3 months.. its kinda scary:uhoh:
 
When ever I go to the local reptile shop the owner has to show me a new snake they've had in. It's not good, I've got to go again tomorrow.
 
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