Hi I'm thinking of getting a snake soon

[Islandzoo]

Hello

I'm Kristie and I am planning to get a corn snake in the next few months. I found this forum on my search for as much info as possible really, before I make my purchase.

I would like an amelanistic, and from what i've been reading I think i'd prefer a young adult than a baby.

I'm just getting a list together of what I need to buy and my partner is going to build a Viv, went to the DIY store today to look for some melamine covered chipboard, but they didn't have what he was looking for.

We do have a 36" x 12" x 18" aquarium, we are going to rehome the fish and thought we could use that to begin with, but I think now that something with sliding doors would be better for access.

Well that's about all for now I think, any advice very welcome!

 

[sfaoldguy]

Welcome to the forums!!!

It is so nice to see someone do the research before they take on the responsibility. Below are some links that may help you find some of the information you need. That aquarium would work fine as long as you purchased a locking screen top for it. This link should give you the idea. I haven't done business with this site, but they have the screens and then some clips at the bottom that I suppose lock the screen in place. Someone else can chime in if they have used this type.
Screen covers and clips link

Tutorial on the search function
Frequently asked questions and answers:
Husbandry and Basic care
Health Issues/Feeding
Genetics/Morphs

 

[Dave123]

It all sounds good. The only thing is that you need to be careful if you get the sliding doors. Juts make sure there is no crack that they could push open and get out. Good luck. :cheers:

 

[zwyatt]

Just make sure there is no crack that they could push open and get out.

Yeah, because the poor thing wouldn't stand a chance with 10 ferrets running around :eek1:

 

[gwb8568]

congrats, good luck and thanks for doing some pre-owning homework. it will save you time, money and headaches in the long run. continue to use the search button and the FAQ's tab on the home page to further your knowledge. :wavey:

 

[delhalew]

LOL. 10 ferrets! I didn't see that. That is a snakes worst nightmare. For real lock that sucker down

 

[Penman6668]

Welcome to the site!!!!!!!! There is a lot of information here. Be sure to read the FAQ section in the forums. They answer a lot of questions. There is a search feature that answer many questions also.
There are a lot of great people here. Everybody is always willing to help.

You should post a picture of the ferrets. I would like to see where one keeps 10 ferrets.

 

[Islandzoo]

Thanks for your replies

Well we intend to make sure the cage is ultra-safe!! I'd be more concerned that the ferrets became snake food actually!

i've seen those sliding bolt thingys on sliding glass doors on the vivariums you see in zoos and such. we thought something like that would be good?

my OH is planning to make the vivarium as hes a woodworker by trade so knocking up stuff like is a doddle for him. It's so much cheaper than buying them - and what he makes will be no different, they're just cabinets made from melamine covered chip board (or whatever you would call it) with glass sliding doors.
obviously it's imperiative there are no gaps anywhere, I am aware of how easily they can escape, ferrets are pretty good escape artists too lol.

Most of the ferrets live outdoors anyway by the way.

 

[Plissken]

i've seen those sliding bolt thingys on sliding glass doors on the vivariums you see in zoos and such. we thought something like that would be good?

I use those locks, and yes they do work very well. If you have glass doors at the front definetly invest in a couple. Just make sure the metal lock can fit between the glass doors without popping them out of the runners.

Anyway - welcome to the forum and good luck with your first cornsnake! You can learn a lot here, I know I have.

 

[stuart]

I would also advise a Foam strip, I forget the name, I bought it about 4 years ago, ill post pics of it on my viv. It cancels the gap completely so there is no chance of escaping snakes. Its very cheap too btw, recomend it to everyone really...

2 pics that include the strip,

Goodluck with ur new snake, Ive had mine 4 years and I still love him just as much as the day I bought him, they are truly great creatures!

 

[Islandzoo]

Hi Stuart

That light in your setup, is that just a light or is it a heat lamp? do you have a under tank heat pad as well? And what is that plastic container thing you have hanging up by the branch?
I love your set up by the way, it's very attractive. What do you use for substrate?

We were advised hemp something... oh it looked like wood shavings but the guy said it was hemp

 

[stuart]

hehe, the lamp is just a 60watt reflector bulb, a heat lamp really... I dont use a heat mat aswell, just the bulb, it provides plenty of warmth aswell as acting like a night/ day cycle.

The plastic thing is an old "lego bionicle" tube, he went inside that thing and didnt come out for days

The substrate is just plain old wood shavings, like you use for rodents, but filtered to remove the saw dust, can be harmful if the snake breaths it in.

 

[Islandzoo]

Ah ok, thanks for that.

we were going to buy a heat mat and just have a flou light in the cage.

I just been looking at the website of a shop that sells snakes and one of the colour descriptions was 'anna' what do you suppose that is, short for anery? or something else? there was also 'anna het snow' ???

 

[stuart]

As a hatchling my snake was using a heat mat with no problems, hes only been on a heat lamp since I moved him into the bigger tank. Heat mats are fine to use and would use it preferably for a hatchling, as they tend to be more active and are therefore more likly to burn themselves on the light.

As for the anna thing, Im a complete newbie at the morphs and the het things, I really dont have a single clue. Im trying to learn them now as Im reading, but its confusing :shrugs: