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More beginner questions

E

ernie55

New member
1. I want to start with 2 baby's - plan on starting with smaller plastic cages then move to 20 gal long. Are there any problems using these smaller boxes?
Concerned about under tank heat & escape problems.

2. I really like Miami phase, extreme Okeetee, and ultramel - these I have found at South Mountain Reptiles in Texas. Are there any problems associated with these corns?

3. Do most feel that feeding should take place in a separate cage?

Thanks in advance
 
1. I keep my baby in a 15 qt shoe box, get the kind with the clips on the lid. I never had problems. yet!

2. Not that I know of.

3.A lot of people don't but it doesn't hurt because if they swallow the aspen that could be bad so it's probably a good idea to feed in something else. Just be gentle putting them back.

Welcome to the addiction!
 
1. Good idea. Smaller plastic cages are easier to make escape-proof for youngsters. As long as you use an undertank heater with a thermostat, it should never get hot enough to damage either the tank or the snakes.

2. Don't know!

3. It's a pretty even split for pet keepers, although those with many Corns are probably more likely to feed in-tank to cut down on the time taken. There are pros and cons to each technique and both work just fine with the appropriate precautions. Personally I feed in a separate container so I can go rootling round in their home tanks for hidden poop, without disturbing them. Accidental ingestion of substrate worries me as well. Some of mine are very active feeders and I can't be guaranteed that they wouldn't roll around on the bark substrate and pick bits up on the mouse. You can use the small plastic tanks as feeding tanks when they grow into the 20 gals. Hopefully someone will be along shortly to advise on safe in-tank feeding techniques.
 
1) No problems just make sure that the lids can close securely

2) No you would be fine with any of those morphs and in good hands at South Mountain Reptiles

3) It really becomes up to you. Some people feed in their house some put them in separate tubs. I move them for feeding because it is really easy to clean out water dishes and cages when they are busy eating.

4) It is recommended to give bottled water especially to babies because of the fluoride in mosts drinking water but do not give distilled water because they do need some of the minerals that are found in water.
 
4. Mine have always had tap water - no problem. But there's no harm in offering bottled if you're not confident with your local supply.
 
ernie55 said:
1. I want to start with 2 baby's - plan on starting with smaller plastic cages then move to 20 gal long. Are there any problems using these smaller boxes?
Concerned about under tank heat & escape problems.

2. I really like Miami phase, extreme Okeetee, and ultramel - these I have found at South Mountain Reptiles in Texas. Are there any problems associated with these corns?

3. Do most feel that feeding should take place in a separate cage?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

1. I use plastic shoeboxes for hatchlings. I secure the lids with binder clips, the kind you use in the office. Just make sure that you put air holes, and that the holes are tiny enough that the snake can't dream of attempting to stick it's head through. I used the tip of a hot glue gun. Other people use soldering irons or a small drill bit. Make sure that the edges are smoothed off.

2. There aren't problems with any specific morph. They are all genetically corn snakes.

3. Reasons to feed in a separate cage:

- the snake won't think your hand is a mouse when you reach into their home.
- you can clean their cage when they are in their feeding container
- the snake won't accidentally eat some of the substrate

I've fed both in their homes and in feeding containers.
When I had hatchlings in shoeboxes, I used paper towels as substrate and I often fed them in their homes. It worked for me at the time and it works for many people.
 
ernie55 said:
Thanks - one question I forgot - water - tap water bad?
Click to expand...

Ideally, you wouldnt use tap water for snakes, mostly due to chlorination.
Many snakes are given tap water with no substantial ill effects. However, non-chlorinated water is preferred.

A way to easily de-chlorinate tap water: let it stand overnight exposed to the air.
You can also buy distilled. Or spring water. Or reverse osmosis.

Tap water is also not good for people to drink, IMO.
 
ernie youll come across lots more questions in snakekeeping, trust me. ive asked every question under the sun and i still come up with more somehow. just dont be shy, ask away, thats what these forums are for. =]
 
Thanks to all - promise not to be shy about asking - about bottle water - some of that stuff comes from the tap
 
And those are fine. The levels of chorine and fluoride in those are not going to harm a snake. Your city maybe fine, others may not be and that is why it is recommended to give bottled water. I know my city water levels are pretty close to the levels that you find in bottled. I still give my snakes RO (reverse osmosis) water just because I think that it tastes much better and I am sure they think the same way. right?!? :)
 
I had a cat that would only drink RO water!

Yes, some bottled water comes from the tap. That is why if you go through the trouble of buying water, you should buy either distilled water or RO water.

Again, leaving the water out on the counter overnight will get the chlorine out.

But check with your city. My city uses very little chlorine in the water, so I don't feel too bad about using it.

A lot of spring water is not chlorinated, but it probably isn't that safe to drink either.
 
I always use tap.

I have never seen any hard evidence a snake will associate your hand with feeding if you feed in the tank. Some snakes will strike, some won't. Scent on your hand certainly increases the risk. But don't worry about associations from the snake by feeding in tank.

My opinion as well as countless others. And I have been keeping snakes for over 30 years. BHB feeds thousands of snakes in their tubs. They have no problem with this on any aspect of the issue.
 
On the water question, it depends what your tap water is like in your area.

I'm rural so we have well water. HOWEVER I get hubby to get gallon jugs of tap water from where he works and bring them home for the snakes. The cats, dogs and horses drink the tap water but the snakes and ourselves drink the gallon jug tap water from elsewhere. We have a local farmer that spreads city sewage on the surrounding cornfields so all of our neighbors have high nitrates in their water. It's given us problems if we drink it. I have no idea what it would do to our snakes but I don't want to risk it. So far, all the slithers are healthy and happy.

In conclusion, all tap water everywhere is not the same! Just something you might want to be aware of.

Devon
 
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