• 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.

Love vs practicality corn style

enchantress62

enchantress62

In love with Frank
I went shopping for my first corn snake a few days ago and found a sweet, beautiful, healthy bloodred at Petsmart for $80. Later that day while shopping at Petco I looked at their corns and saw the cutest little hatchling for $40. He was staring at me through the glass and when I was allowed to hold him he clung to my hand as if to say, "Please take me home." Of course I fell in love instantly.
However, I noticed that his little body was really cold and the other snakes in the cage seemed aggitated. He looked healthy but I'm new to this so what do I know. Anyway I need to make a decision between the 2 by Friday. Should I be worried about that little guy? I didn't see anything crawling on him or abnormalities around the mouth but I have to buy all the equipment too so can't afford a vet bill right away.
 
Corns should always feel cool or lukewarm when picked up. Their ideal maximum temp is below human core body temp. That in itself isn't a cause for concern. Make sure that you have the right equipment for your new arrival. You'll be surprised how cool a Corn needs to be, so your heat source should always be regulated e.g. a thermostat with a heat mat.

Corns aren't really suited to living together, so that alone could explain why the others were agitated.

If you're worried, the best approach is to not give your custom to a store. It just keeps them in business and will only condemn more snakes to the same conditions in the future.

Plus it's a very wise decision to not take on an animal that you can't afford. A couple of times over the years I've seen folks take on problem animals with best intentions, then have to hand them on because of financial constraints. You don't want to be part of the problem for the animal.

Good luck whatever you decide!
 
Personally, I'm never buying from a pet store. At least a major chain such as those. There are so many animals that come through there, they don't even really care about them. It's all about turning a profit. If you must purchase from a store, choose a small operation. Not a major chain. If you have the opportunity, order from the classifieds here or buy from a reptile show/expo in your local area.
 
I bought my first corn from Petco! He was for my son and was on sale for 20 bucks. He was a little underweight, but now he is healthy and very happy. He was the last one in the cage that night!

He was just a itty bitty guy. He was a snow and seemed to have a birthmark or splash of color. Well it turns out his birthmark was paradox and he turned out to be a coral snow I believe

IMG_2164.jpg
 
Piglet was a great pet store find. There are a lot of people on here that have snakes from a pet store. I know pet stores are only out for profit and don't have the snakes best interests at heart. But just because one comes from there does not make it any less of a loved pet or a nice animal. I agree the best route to go is from a breeder or at an expo, when buying online or at an expo if one can do it. CHECK THE BOI on Fauna. To the OP, good luck on what ever you decide to do.
 
enchantress62 said:
However, I noticed that his little body was really cold and the other snakes in the cage seemed aggitated. He looked healthy but I'm new to this so what do I know. Anyway I need to make a decision between the 2 by Friday. Should I be worried about that little guy? There is no way for us to know because we can not see the two snakes. You will just have to do your best. I didn't see anything crawling on him or abnormalities around the mouth but I have to buy all the equipment too so can't afford a vet bill right away.
Click to expand...

I would recommend you buy a book on corn snakes this one

Corn Snakes in Captivity (Professional Breeders Series) by Don Soderberg (Oct 1, 2007)

or

Corn Snakes: The Comprehensive Owner's Guide (Herpetocultural Library, The) by Kathy Love and Bill Love (Sep 1, 2006)
 
I am so glad to hear all this. I can't stop thinking of my little guy even though the other snake was really pretty. I know it sounds silly but he seemed to want me to hold him. I'll look him over again before buying just to be safe, that is if he's still there, but deep down inside I know he's the one. Love wins again. lmao
 
enchantress62 said:
I am so glad to hear all this. I can't stop thinking of my little guy even though the other snake was really pretty. I know it sounds silly but he seemed to want me to hold him. I'll look him over again before buying just to be safe, that is if he's still there, but deep down inside I know he's the one. Love wins again. lmao
Click to expand...

I understand this all to well! I wish you the best with the new little guy! Always go with your gut. IMO! I don't regret buying Piglet from Petco. I even still go and look their corns over! I have found a very awesome breeder on this site! I am awaiting my lil anery female Bobbisue! ;)
 
enchantress62 said:
I am so glad to hear all this. I can't stop thinking of my little guy even though the other snake was really pretty. I know it sounds silly but he seemed to want me to hold him. I'll look him over again before buying just to be safe, that is if he's still there, but deep down inside I know he's the one. Love wins again. lmao
Click to expand...

There are a few people on this board that live in your area, that probably have more of a selection (morph wise). They will also have some hatchlings that are going to cling onto your fingers just as much if not more than the one in the pet store. They will have the history behind the snake they sell you, and also know if the snake is a male or a female, they will probably even have written down when the snake hatched, and when was the last shed. They will also help you get started on the right foot while you wait to finish reading through the books that it seems as though the Fatman has a kickback on. You will probably also save more money buying from one of them than from buying at the pet store (unless a really fancy one catches your eye).
We all wish you luck in whichever direction you decide to go, and cannot wait to see pictures of the little guy/gal.
 
As everyone has stated you would probably be better off with one from a breeder. I have PM'd you with links to a couple threads of local breeders that have snakes available at this time.


Oh and our next expo coming up is November 19th and 20th at the Mesa Convention Center. http://phxreptileexpo.com/
 
Definitely go with your gut. Your heart will let you know exactly what to do (IMO).

I own 3 corns...two of which came from "big box" pet stores. My Miami Phase (Kona) is an incredible girl. Perfect pet in all regards.

My Flourescent Amel (Cappy) has a TON of personality, and is as gentle as can be.

Both have never missed a meal. You can set your watch to their shed cycle. The poop on command (almost). I adore them both.

My third corn came from Don S. He's an Extreme Okeetee, and is right in line with the other two.

I'm a HUGE advocate for doing what YOU want to do. I do understand the idea of not supporting big box places and the sometimes poor conditions they keep their animals in...but the stores I frequent have folks working there that actually care about their reptiles. One woman, in particular, breeds her own.

Whatever you decide...GOOD LUCK!!! :) :)
 
I would also suggest waiting for the Mesa expo in a couple of weeks. I will have a few well started corns there - mostly Okeetees, but a few others, too. If you don't find something you like there within your budget (very unlikely - expos are usually much cheaper than pet shops), then rest assured that the pet shops will have lots more available by then, too.

I personally would not buy from a shop or dealer that houses their corns together. The snakes in one cage may come from more than one source - who knows? If one snake is suffering from anything contagious, they will probably all get it, especially since they will be stressed already from traveling to a new home, and soon they will go to another new home.

There are at least 2 reptile specialty shops in the area, too. So you don't necessarily have to shop at a big box, general pet shop.
 
I agree with Nanci! A Kathy Love snake would be great :)

I still want this one at Pet Supplies Plus, he's the one who made me fall in love with corns and he's still there but I am out of room.

I got a coral ghost from Walter Smith and he's awesome! He's a 2011 hatchling.

Have you looked on the classifieds here? I have seen a couple I really love! All of my snakes except my first 2 have come from the classifieds here. First 2 I found on Craigslist.
 
Just a few. They are from my bloodline, but were actually produced by a friend up north. I'll show them to you when I see you Tues.
 
My first snake was a Love Hypo... well, actually he still is :) He's just turn10 (about - he was bought in Tinley Park in 2001). Our family's first snake was for our daughter and she was bought from a smaller pet store and they didn't stand behind their product. We didn't want to exchange her, just get some help getting her to eat. Finally found an exotic vet, who treated her issues and she never missed a meal after that. She died much younger than she should have and I believe her internal issues were a result of either her breeding or the way she was cared for at that store.

I look at the ones in the stores, but around here they are normals, anerys or snows... nothing that really catches my eye, so I feel pretty safe :)
 
The only caution I would add about adding a corn snake from Kathy Love is that you will love it so much that you will end up with more corn snakes in the near future. That's how my addiction started.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top