New baby cornsnake

[laviachris]

I have a new baby corn snake I just recently purchased and I have a couple questions. First, when I feed her how will I do so? Obviously pinkys however do I feed them live or dead? second, she's about 6-8 inches in length is a 10 gallon tank too big? Third, I didn't realize the lamp I bought had a broken bulb so I will have to purchase another, how necessary is it that I have an overhead lamp? Thanks.

 

[Kaylarawrz]

I just got a baby corn snake as well. First of all I would let her get use to her surroundings and settle for a good week. No handling. She's stressed out I would assume. Feed frozen thawed mice. But after she's settled a few days. I'd put the corn in a deli cup with holes or shoe box with holes and leave the pinky in there with the snake in a dark space that's nice and quiet. After 30 minutes check to see if the mouse is gone. If not she might not be hungry. After she's eaten try not to handle her for a good 16-24 hours. She could regurgitate and that's no bueno. Right now I have my hatchling in a exo terra breeding box large. I did have her in a 15 gallon but it was so big compared to her and I didn't want to stress her. So my advice is to get a 12 quart container, or exo terra breeding box and make that her home for a few months until she's gotten a little bit bigger. You don't need a over head lamp unless your house falls below 60-65 degrees at night. But my suggestion is a under tank heater at least 1/3 of any enclosure you put her in. And I recommend a thermostat or rheostat so regulate proper temperature for the heater. Plenty of hiding places will make the snake feel more secure and better at home.


Ps. I'm a first one cornsnake owner but I've sucked up so much information I feel like what I'm currently doing could help you
That's my current set up below

 

[laviachris]

I'm a first corn snake owner but I currently have a 5 year old ball python but I don't worry about him getting out he's 4 foot long and big enough to eat good sized rats ahahah. So are you saying a ten gallon is too big? And I can take the under tank pad from my ball he has under tank and over tank heat he should be okay for a couple days till I get another. She has 2 hides currently would a third be necessary?

 

[NH93]

A 10 just fine, but make sure there's plenty of hides and clutter to help make her feel secure

Personally I'd ditch the lamp and get a UTH (WITH THERMOSTAT - a must!) but, leave it for your ball python. He needs it more than your little corn, because he needs a warmer environment. Just don't feed your little corn until you get a UTH with thermostat. They need at least 75F to digest their food. Make sure to get on the UTH with thermostat ASAP though! And the thermostat pictured above is awesome; can be found on Amazon (search Jumpstart thermostat).

Check out the care sheet on the main page, and make use of the search button for feeding ideas there's LOTS out there. We all do it differently. Lots of people feed in separate enclosures; for babies this might work better to keep them focused.

P.S. Please, PLEASE tell me you have a thermostat for your ball python's UTH...

 

[NH93]

Forgot to add, UTH with thermostat for corn (but leave the UTH with thermostat and heat lamp for your ball python).

 

[laviachris]

I do not have a thermostat for the UTH I have always been told as long as it doesn't feel any more than warm when pressed against your forearm it's fine. However tomorrow I'm buying new equipment (UTH, thermostats, gages, etc) and I'll make sure that I get thermostats for the UTH.

 

[Kaylarawrz]

@nh93 agreed, thermostat a must. I'm being so paranoid about making sure she's okay and doesn't escape xD being im used to lizards more than anything. [emoji15]

@laviachris I get super stoakd when I'm getting decor or reptile supplies for some reason [emoji16]

 

[smigon]

There is so much to learn on the care of your cornsnakes, please read this page that I have dedicated to newbies on how to care for them.

Corn snake info

PLEASE don't hesitate to ask any questions, that is why we are all here, but you definitely need to get your setups ready for the new kiddos right away.

 

[NH93]

I do not have a thermostat for the UTH I have always been told as long as it doesn't feel any more than warm when pressed against your forearm it's fine. However tomorrow I'm buying new equipment (UTH, thermostats, gages, etc) and I'll make sure that I get thermostats for the UTH.

Unfortunately that is very outdated information... what feels warm to us is HOT to snakes!
For example, your ball python wants warm spot of 90F. Our skin's temperature is 92-95F... so, to us, this wouldn't feel warm at all. What feels warm to us is more than enough to seriously burn your snake's belly...

I have seen too many pictures and know too many people where this has happened.

But, good on you for getting the thermostats!!! Make sure to have something controlling every heat source, always.

 

[Kaylarawrz]

I just changed my thermostat temps now that you say that. Lol [emoji380][emoji28] caught her last night moving around [emoji33]

 

[Fireman832]

A uth is a must but with a TSAT. I've seen some reach near 120 degrees. A heat lamp would hold you for a few days until you get the parts you need. I keep the cool side around 70-72 and the warm around 85. I just feed my two corns tonight and when I put them back into there tanks, they went to the uth pretty fast.