• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

First snake, tips?

RedCloud

RedCloud

New member
I've always had a bit of a thing for snakes but was never allowed one cause of the whole "snakes are for boys" thing :( Now that I'm 18, I'm getting my first snake but I have no experience with em, so help is really appreciated :) I decided on a corn snake cause I heard their the friendliest and easiest to care for with the least feeding/shedding issues. We don't really have any reptile stores or conventions where I live, so I have to get mine from either a chain pet store or adoption centre. The Petco/Petland near me only sell little babies who are very nippy and don't like being handled. They also don't take very good care of them so I'm stuck paying $75 at the shelter for a male Okeetee corn. Or $100 for a female snow corn. I held the Okeetee male corn and he was very friendly and well cared for. I'll include pictures of both.I have a left over 29gal tank I used to keep fish in, and I'm getting a screen top with clamps. Prolly through some books/rocks on there as well. Also on my list is aspen bedding, 2 hides, under tank heater, humidity gauge, 2 thermometers, some frozen mice (he's feeding on large adults) a water dish and maybe a branch or two. Is that ok? Anything else I need? Anything else I should be aware of or know? I'm a total beginner here so if I've made an error please correct me and be nice about it :) Thanks very much!ImageUploadedByTapatalk1393110078.061009.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1393110179.702729.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The inexpensive humidity gauges are not very accurate. I would just go by the quality of the shed. I have several snakes and not one humidity gauge.
On the other hand a thermostat to control the under tank heating pad is very important and I did not see it on your list.
A link to an example of a fair priced thermostat is, http://www.hydrofarm.com/product.php?itemid=3372

Lots of threads on here talk about the importance of thermostats and mention different models, try the search function.

Welcome to the group and to snake keeping.
 
Ah thanks very much! I knew I was missing something! I'm going to petco today to pick everything up, so hopefully they'll have one :D don't wanna fry my first snake lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
That male is actually a beautiful classic, I believe.
Both lovely looking snakes. If I were you I would just ask what the money is going towards for the adoption - I don't think that about $100 for an adult is unfair, I would just personally like to know how they spend that money. :)

That thermostat mentioned is very important. But otherwise it sounds like your list is near complete!

If you haven't already, just check out the care guide sticky on the main page. If you have any questions that pop up it usually has the answers.

Best of luck!
 
Thanks :) I thought he was mighty fine looking but to my inexperienced eyes, they all do!! I will most certainly be picking up that thermostat. I've skimmed around the forums, but I just wanted to make sure you guys thought the snakes were ok looking as well :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Also the money goes toward feeding all their cats, dogs, snakes and birds that would otherwise be euthanized at a kill shelter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
If you can at all wait for shipping, I'd order online. The thermostat linked above is available from Amazon, as is almost everything else you need.

Re: the humidity and temp gauges, maybe I can save you a mistake. I got the dial gauges usually sold at Petco, etc., and they really do suck. Hit Walmart and grab one of these: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acu-Rite-...gMethod=Recommendation:wm:RecentlyViewedItems

Instead of the clock, it can also display indoor and humidity, which is what we are interested in. Basically the probe/outdoor is your warm side temp, and the unit/indoor is your cool side reading. The humidity is just a bonus.

If you can't find that one, any indoor/outdoor simple weather station with a probe that runs on batteries will work.

You also might consider adding a travel/feeding/while I am cleaning the Viv container to the list. Good luck, and post pics of whichever you decide on. They are both awesome looking snakes. Don't forget if you really like a different morph though, you can always have one shipped! It's not as crazy as it sounds. :)
 
I just came back from Petco and the prices are atrocious so I'm just gonna get everything online. Thanks for the link, that looks fantastic! I really did find quite a few gorgeous morphs online but as a first time owner I'm worried about babies feeding and their temperament. I like that this guy is already 3, feeding good and very friendly :) Plus shipping is a killer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
They look like nice snakes to me. I also bought my first (and only) corns as young adults and it made things easier than worrying about delicate hatchlings. That snow female looks just like my Rigby who is a coral snow. I would just mention that some plastic foliage adds a nice touch to a viv and my snakes like to hide in them. Of course I'm sure you know only one snake per tank. Good luck!
 
Thanks! And yes hatchlings seem so fragile xD I won't be putting more then one snake in my tank. I don't think I have enough room plus I don't need any canabalism lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It sounds like you've done your research, which is great thinking :) I think I hung around here for a year before I was in a position to get my snake. I can really only echo what others have said: thermostat and those snakes are gorgeous.
Good luck & enjoy!
 
I've done loads of research xD I've actually been lurking here for almost a year, creepin on everyone's snakes. I just ordered all my supplies online including the thermostat and am just waiting on the shipping :D Thanks for the reply :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I am so glad you are doing so much research before you get your baby! You are going to be a great snake mom.

Yup, the only things I would add too are the thermostat and some plastic aquarium plants, you can get them for cheaps on eBay, and the tall ones lean over and create a ground cover. If you don't have any books on corns I highly recommend Kathy Love's book and Don Soderberg's book, they are some of the best guides for new corn owners and they are both members here. I have them both on my Kindle and can reference them when I need to.

Oh, and the last thing you need to do is post pics when you get him! Best of luck, and have fun!
 
Almost forgot, re: the plants. Check the floral/craft departments and stores for silk plants. JoAnne Fabrics almost always has 40% off coupons, and a single spray or vine from them goes a long way.
 
Thanks guys! I didn't get any plants yet as I bought 2 medium sized hides and I'm not sure how much room they'll take up. I don't want to overcrowd! Any ideas on attaching the vines/plants to the tank so they don't get knocked over? From what I've seen he's a very active guy and I don't want him getting knotted up in anything :O


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You can get ones with suction cups on (or buy them separate and attach) but I think, in general, snakes must be pretty good at not knotting themselves up... I hope they are any rate :S
 
You can use suction cups or attach them to your branches. I bought some twistable fake branches but haven't got them in the mail yet. I'm hoping they will be awesome.
 
I use suction cups for vines.

I use plastic/silk plants from craft store or dollar store. I buy the floral arrangements and cut out the pieces I want.

I take some 1 by wood stock and cut them down to 6" to 8" in length. I use a low voc exterior paint and paint all the wood. I let the wood dry for a minimum of 4 days. I then take and drill appropriate sized holes in the wood and hot glue in the plants/flowers/grass that I cut from the arrangements. I take elmers tack and place it on the bottoms of the wood base and this lets me stick it to the bottom of the viv and keeps it from getting knocked or burrowed over.

I'll post some pics in a little bit. I'm in the process of setting up another viv and am at the final stages with the plants.
 
If you order from Amazon, check shipping estimates. I've had items on the same order spread out over 3 weeks before. In general, though, you'll get more for your money going online.

We've adopted two adult snakes here-a corn and a BP, and I'm very much in favor of adoption if you want a pet. Older snakes need love and homes, too.
 
I'm an Amazon Prime member because I order a lot of supplies for my business so the free 2 day shipping is great for me. I only order items that are prime eligible and always get them in 2 days sometimes 1.

If you order online a lot I'd definitely look into an Amazon Prime membership. I also get free streaming of videos and free kindle books with prime membership.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top