Future corn snake owner here! Have any tips for me?

[JPNLKT]

Ok, so I don't own a corn snake yet, or any snake for that matter, but I will soon! I've been wanting a snake for a long time now but my strict no-pet living conditions are preventing me from getting one at the moment. I need to wait until December 2015 until I can get my very first snake. It seems like a long wait, and it is, but I've already been waiting for 4-5 years so one more year seems like nothing.

So in the meanwhile, I've been spending my time researching everything I can about snakes and I came to the conclusion that my first snake should be a corn snake.

Now I'm in the middle of deciding just what corn snake morph I should get. Maybe you guys can help me?

I'm torn between getting a red corn snake or a white corn snake.

For the red corn snake, I've heard there are bloodred corn snakes, old school bloodred corn snakes, and stripped bloodred corn snakes.

For white corn snakes, I've heard there are blizzard corn snakes, white out corn snakes (aka blizzard bloodred corn snakes), and powder corn snakes.

And I'm not really sure what the difference is between them. If I got a red snake, I would like my snake to mature into the darkest and most solid red possible. If I got a white corn snake, I would like it to mature to the brightest white with the least amount of yellowing and markings. So which morph am I better off choosing?

And since most of you are probably experienced corn snake owners, would you mind giving me some tips for choosing and purchasing corn snakes both online and locally? Do you have any recommended breeders / websites?

Thanks in advance

 

[hypnoctopus]

Welcome to the forum! It's great that you're doing plenty of research before jumping in. This website has tons of info, but feel free to post any questions you have.

I would say that old school bloodreds are usually a sort of brick-red color, whereas regular bloodreds can be orangey-red. A bloodred stripe or a bloodred motley will usually end up looking solid red as an adult. If you're determined to get a hatchling, try to pick one that has the grayest 'baldest' head and the least amount of pattern on its sides. Those are the ones that will generally be patternless as adults. A low pied-sided bloodred corn would also be a good choice because they are usually a perfect solid color as an adult (with some white spots), although they cost more. If you're really worried about what it will look like as an adult, then I would recommend just getting an adult, so you'll know exactly what it looks like already.

As far as buying a snake online, I would definitely check out the classifieds section on this website (if you scroll down) and also over on faunaclassifieds.com. No matter who it is, I would also SUPER recommend checking out the Board of Inquiry (BOI), which is also over on faunaclassifieds.com. You can use the search feature to see if that particular seller has any reviews. If they don't have any feedback, you can also post an inquiry thread about them to see if anyone has dealt with them before.

(Also, Nanci is working with old school bloodreds this year - http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137608)

 

[Tavia]

Hello and welcome! Olivia already said about everything I'd have said. I'm not an expert or anything but I'd say that the white out or powder will be the best bet for the look you want as an adult.

 

[nancyg]

Blizzard for white also, it's a combination of the genes for amelanistic, and charcoal, sometimes there's a pattern gene too, like stripe, or diffused to help even out and blurr the pattern...

Bloodred would give a red.. but what about something like the Fire? or a candycane - red AND white in one snake!! Or an extreeme Okeetee with red factor? (red and black snake) - yes you didn't mention black but it's sooo darn cool looking.

 

[nancyg]

a strawberry, maybe?

 

[smigon]

Welcome! In the end, you will find the perfect corn for you, and all the above answers are great. We have some amazing breeders here so be sure to check them out.

Here is my info sheet on what I have found best for corns, I hope it helps.

On every topic on this site are "stickies" at the top of each page; they are extremely helpful hints and knowledge from the moderators or breeders who are on or run this site. Read them all.

Have you done any book reading about corns? If you haven't, take the time to get at least a couple of books on corns. Two of the best were written by members of this forum, and will get you in the know on everything corns.

Kathy Love's book

Don Soderberg's book

Here is a good guide for feeding corns, when to move up in size of prey. Most of us here use it, some think it is a little aggressive for younger corns so there is room to wait until your baby gains even 5g more than the chart says. It is known as the Munson Plan.

Munson Plan

I suggest getting a digital scale if you don't already have one, you need to weigh your corn and the prey. Almost all corn info is taken in grams, this is one I recommend.
Gram scale

I keep a journal on all my corns, I weigh each before feeding, look them over for any injuries or anything out of the ordinary, then feed. I record the date, the weight, what they ate (or didn't), when they are blue, when they shed and any other things to note.

In some books on the topic of heating your tank (which is a must since you don't live in the tropics!), they might mention heat lamps. This is a debated subject here, but I would not waste time or money on a heat lamp, go with a UTH (under tank heater). This will cover 1/3 of the bottom of your tank, and you MUST have a thermostat to regulate it, otherwise the UTH can reach temps that can harm your snake. Along with the UTH and thermostat you need a probe thermometer or infrared thermometer.

Corns use belly heat to help digestion, so a UTH with a thermostat is recommended over the lamp. It also costs less in the long run and is easier to maintain temps. It will help keep your humidity levels up too, since the lights tend to dry the viv out. You want to set the thermostat to about 87° so the top of the substrate on the warm side is 85° and the cool side (where you would keep the waterbowl) is around 75°.

I truly hope that this helps, and DO NOT be afraid to ask any questions. No stupid questions, only stupid owners who don't care enough to as the question. Also, the "search" button is awesome, it will lead you to links of questions already asked and you might find more information there as well.

Also, with a lot of the same info, one of the most knowledgeable members here has posted a care sheet as well in her section near the bottom of the main page. Nanci's Info Sheet

Best of luck, and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!

 

[Corny corn snake]

okeetees are pretty good i couldn't get one though. I got a bloodred though!

 

[Ecim]

My you are very patient, I thought my planned waiting until Dec 2014 was a bit tough.

 

[Galataya16]

Welcome!! Corn snakes are addicting!! My second will be here this week and I already have a list of other morphs I would love to have. I am new to snakes also and can't say enough about the amazing, helpful people on this forum!! You never have to feel bad about asking any question at all. They answer it willingly and readily without making you feel stupid.

Another way to log your snakes feedings, shedding, etc is iHerp.com. I really like using it. Some people prefer to just write it with pen and paper also. You'll find something that works great for you!

I definitely recommend reading all of the sticky posts on the forum. They are all so filled with great information and just about every section has stickies in it, including some of the member forums, such as Nanci's.