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My first snake!

Hikari

Hikari

New member
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(Sorry if they aren't the best quality, my phone camera sucks)

I got my first snake at the reptile expo today! Went with the hopes of finding an Okeetee morph. Was told she's an Abbot's Okeetee. The corn snake pickings were slim (smaller expo), so I was lucky to even find any Okeetees at all. Only one breeder had them. Was told she was hatched in June 2014, so she's a little over a year old. Was happy to find an older snake, so I could get a better idea of her colors (which I was told will get even bolder with age).

Funny thing though, she was one of a pair. I was originally eyeing the male who was calmly chilling in his cup (I was thinking he might be easier to deal with), while she was trying very hard to escape. As I was asking if they were handled much, the breeder said not really besides for feeding and cleaning, but then opened the female's cup instead and offered her for me to hold, just like that, LOL! I would have never guessed she'd never been handled much. Not even a hint of trying to bite (maybe escape, after finally getting out of her deli cup, but not bite). Plus, her coloring was just gorgeous. I could tell she was "the one" and bought her on the spot.

She was super active earlier, exploring her new viv, although currently she's buried in her aspen (she's had a busy day! I'd be tired too). She's also already probably realized her tank is snake-proof (I made sure of that). She's temporarily in our family room, but will be moved to my room once she's settled, and I'm sure the paint on her new homemade viv stand is completely dry and fume-free.

When it comes time to feed her, I have frozen fuzzies ready and waiting (was told that's what she's been eating). First feeding day should be interesting. Bought feeding tongs and a tub for her. I just have to hope she stays in it (she's a climber). I have a scale I can weigh her on too if she cooperates. I won't push my luck, but I'd also love to try that Serpwidget measuring thing too at some point too, to see how long she is.

At any rate, she's gonna be spoiled rotten. :laugh: I STILL want to get more stuff for her 40g tank (there's still so much room! So many possibilities), but for now she at least has all the basics and a few extra vines and things here and there.

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(and also one of my lightly worn shirts, for now, since I read it helps them get used to your scent, and associate it with a "safe place").
 
Beautiful girl! Did you name her yet?

It sounds like you're doing everything right, so I think she will do very well in your care.
 
hypnoctopus said:
Beautiful girl! Did you name her yet?

It sounds like you're doing everything right, so I think she will do very well in your care.
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I haven't named her yet. I've been trying to think of a good one. Took me three days to decide on a name for my dog, so I've been known to take my time, lol. I like to get to know my pet's personality a bit, and use that sometimes, especially on the longer lived pets...they'll be stuck with that name for a while. Not that I think the snake probably cares, but I do. :laugh:

Glad to hear I seem to be doing things right. I spent around a month researching. These forums have been super helpful too. The most nerve-wracking thing about prep was probably either the snake-proofing or getting the thermostat/heat mat/hot side temp balance just right.

MysticExotics said:
Welcome and congrats on your new Cornsnake! Caution, they are addictive!
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Thanks! LOL, I don't doubt it. So many colors, it was hard to decide on just one! Still, I only have enough room for one right now, so I can't get into TOO much trouble (wish I could say the same about my betta fish addiction...)
 
She's beautiful! I have a sticky down in my personal forum, about the settling in period. And- you know you don't have to feed her with tongs. You can just put the mouse in the container, and then put her in, and she will eat it...
 
Beautiful Okeetee! Corns are remarkably docile. Our breeders are only handled for cleaning as well, and that's just picking them up and putting them in a large bucket...not exactly quality time out, yet most rarely even huff at you let alone make any indication of biting. Not so with our other species of rat snakes... :rolleyes:
 
Congrats. Beautiful snake and viv! Abbot's are special snakes imho. I know you've been working on this and you are off to a great start.
 
Very pretty snake! - congrats and welcome! Your viv setup looks great, if you want more ideas, I believe you can never have too many hides! I use toilet paper tubes and ripped up papertowels, also opaque tupperwares work great in addition to the petstore bought hides.
 
Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Tonight was...interesting. Went into her viv just to change her water. Figured something quick wouldn't bother her too much, wherever she was. Turns out she was under her water dish. :laugh: She looked a bit indignant over being suddenly unearthed, and quickly slithered off into a hide. Ooops... So much for not bugging her. :nope: But seriously, of ALL the places she would choose to hide... :rolleyes:

Nanci said:
She's beautiful! I have a sticky down in my personal forum, about the settling in period. And- you know you don't have to feed her with tongs. You can just put the mouse in the container, and then put her in, and she will eat it...
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Thanks for the tips! I read your post. Also, I figured the tongs were probably optional, but it was more an "If I need them, I have them" kinda thing. If I've learned anything from my other pets, it's "Be prepared". XD

Dragonling said:
Beautiful Okeetee! Corns are remarkably docile. Our breeders are only handled for cleaning as well, and that's just picking them up and putting them in a large bucket...not exactly quality time out, yet most rarely even huff at you let alone make any indication of biting. Not so with our other species of rat snakes... :rolleyes:
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Yeah, I had heard corns were docile, but I just didn't realize HOW docile til I got to hold mine! Starting to see exactly why everyone says they make amazing first snakes (and first reptiles in general).

DollysMom said:
Congrats. Beautiful snake and viv! Abbot's are special snakes imho. I know you've been working on this and you are off to a great start.
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You were a big help in helping me set-up properly, so thanks! And yeah, I wasn't expecting to snag an Abbot's, but I ended up getting one! I'm looking forward to seeing her colors as she gets older.

jagodzinski said:
Very pretty snake! - congrats and welcome! Your viv setup looks great, if you want more ideas, I believe you can never have too many hides! I use toilet paper tubes and ripped up papertowels, also opaque tupperwares work great in addition to the petstore bought hides.
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Yeah, toilet paper tubes are great! I actually have a few buried in the aspen on the cool side. I don't know if she's bothered to use them much though. She kinda ignores her cool-side hides completely, preferring to just burrow right in her substrate, lol. Ah well. I'm actually gonna be hitting up the dollar store for more fake plants, since I got a couple of decent-looking ones there already. Still hoping I can find a smaller vine of some kind to wrap around the big one in the tank. I'm kinda trying for a forest motif in the viv, so lots of plants and wood.
 
In time she'll explore more and find her other hides. :) It took my Tango a little while to discover his and figure out his favorite spots. 9 times out of 10, I find him curled up under his little plant lately. I think the low cover makes him feel more secure and hidden, even if I can sometimes see him sticking out a little bit! :laugh:
 
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Checked on her after work and found her in her vine tonight! She seems to be adjusting well :D I'm glad she enjoys them. Will probably buy her more.
 
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Yep...definitely need more vines. This was tonight's shenanigans when I went to change her water. She must have been clinging onto the hot glue I'd put up in the aquarium lip to keep her from going up there (but she got up there anyways). I'm gonna be on the lookout for some more vines for her. She REALLY likes to climb. Her favorite place when she isn't burrowed is still the top of the right corner vine. I see her up there more often than not when I peek in the room.

Also, she has a name now! I decided on Lily, after her colors and a Tiger Lily, and because I couldn't think of any other name I liked. I think it suits her well enough.
 
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