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Corn Snake Newbie

TCHOP561

TCHOP561

New member
This will be the first Corn Snake that I own. I had lot of reptiles when I was a kid, turtles, iguanas, and other kinds of lizards, but no snakes. My mom was terrified of them. I also teach 8th grade science and thought it would be a cool classroom pet. I plan on taking him home on the weekends :D I went with an Extreme Okeetee from cherryvillereptiles. Thoughts? Just thought I'd stop by and say hi. I am lookin' forward to getting my Okeetee!
 
Welcome!!! I am still pretty new, but this place is great! If you have any questions, there are always amazing people with a lot of experience more than willing to help you. (And Okeetees are BEAUTIFUL!!)
 
Welcome! I'm new too, and so far this has been a great community, lots of helpful friendly people. I've seen pictures of extreme Okeetees and they're really striking. Congrats on the new addition.
 
Thanks. Would you recommend getting a hatchling, juvenile, or yearling/adult? I know the hatchlings require more care and work, but what would you guys recommend?
 
If you want a snake that is already handle-able, go with a yearling/adult. Hatchlings may be nippy and nervous, and since you are going to be a teacher, you might want a snake that doesn't get lost so easily! Extreme okeetees are indeed beautiful!
 
Thanks for the prompt reply anery. Would getting a hatchling be more beneficial in the long run in terms of knowing me better and thus allowing me to handle her easily?
 
I do not have much experience at all...but I got a hatchling and he/she is WONDERFUL! He/she was never nippy or hard to handle. I know we probably got really lucky, but it can happen!
 
Thanks. I asked for one just a bit bigger than a hatchling but not quite yet an adult (a juvenile?) I am expecting to get her on Tuesday. Are two thermometers, one for each side of the tank, really necessary or would one suffice? I bought one from Walmart but I am wondering if I should go back and get another. Thanks for all the help fellas. I really like this place.
 
I use two (one for each end) but I don't think its necessary. One for the hot end would probably be okay. :)
 
I live in New Mexico and use one thermometer per tank. I would've loved to have a snake in one of my classrooms when I was a kid. I have one snake since he was a hatchling on pinks and is about to start adult mice. He went to my son's school once last year for show and tell and did just fine with over twenty kids and their fingers. Some snakes do not take traveling very well so look for signs of stress and document his feedings.
 
Thanks Dream. I would be scared the snake would bite a kid if I took him to a class for show and tell. I plan on keeping this snake at home while I learn the ropes of caring for him. Once I get comfortable with him I might get a second tank set up in my classroom and just take him home with me on the weekends.
 
One more thing. What size UTH would you recommend? I am sure it depends on the size of the tank, but I keep reading on the forums how hot some of the UTHs get. Just wondering if I am better of going with a small one opposed to the medium sized zoo med I got.
 
The Zoo Med ReptiTherms have the tank sizes on the packaging to make it easier for you. I'm not sure what type of Zoo Med you got . :D

BTW, love your avatar! I haven't seen Sir Hiss in years. :roflmao:
 
Thanks. I know they have the sizes listed on the package, but I didn't know if I should go with a smaller one, despite my tank size, since they tend to get really hot.
 
No, you just need to get a thermostat or rheostat/dimmer switch to control the output. A good rule of thumb is that the UTH needs to cover about 1/3 of the bottom of your tank. A little more is alright but either way you need the above mentioned parts to control output. You are right though, the UTH's can reach 120 to 130 degrees without controlling them and can burn your snake very badly. :( This is true no matter what size you buy.
 
1/3, that's what what I was wondering. Already got my thermometer and a thermostat to control my UTH. Is there a recommended place in the tank I should put the thermometer? I know to put the probe in the center of the UTH on the glass. Would you recommend putting down some newspaper so there is a layer between the snake and the glass?
 
You definitely want to use some sort of substrate. It is up to you what kind tbh. I use aspen but you can use newspaper, papertowels, and reptibark. I know there are others but those are the ones I have used. :)

As for the thermos, I usually just put them in a corner in the back of the tank. The snakes usually don't fool with them back there too much (except my AP milk snake who loves to knock them over :D).
 
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