New to Corns (and snakes)! Are they right for us?

[loud]

Wanted to say a (not so) quick hello! I've seen some familiar faces from other boards, but thought I'd introduce myself to the community and give a little background on why I joined cornsnakes.com.

I had always been an animal lover but had not thought about snakes as pets until last fall, when a friend started talking about the ball python she'd one day like to have. I ended up getting hooked then and there, and after some asking around I bit the bullet and got a snake for myself. That was only in January, so I'm still very, very new to the hobby.

Now, my younger sister will be moving in with me next year and wants a pet snake as well. Normally, I'd be against the idea (she doesn't have the best track record when it comes to being responsible for pets) but I figured a snake is a relatively low maintenance pet. And, if I'm being honest, I do have ulterior motives because I'd been wanting another snake, too Originally I wanted a ball python, but I've realized that if she intends to be the primary caretaker, a hardier snake might be a better idea. So we started thinking about corn snakes.

The tricky part is that this has to be a snake that I would want to have as well (in case I end up taking responsibility), which means the looks and temperament have to match up to what I'm looking for. I don't find most of the corn snake patterns aesthetically appealing, but came across "blizzards" and WOW! Gorgeous! We both really like the white, patternless look, so we've decided to look into getting a blizzard corn snake this coming summer at the local expo. Except, I've been having a lot of trouble finding local breeders that produce blizzards, so I'm hoping the forum could help me with that. Or point me towards similar morphs, such as opals, I think?

I also have questions regarding temperament, how hardy hatchlings are, feeding, escape proofing tubs, etc., but will probably post that to the Misc. subforum.

Thanks for reading this ridiculously long post! Here are a few pictures of my two babies -

My own, very first snake, a 2013 Jungle Carpet Python. I adore him!

And my 5 year old German Shepherd Dog

 

[Kate]

Woah, it makes me giggle that you it a Jungle Carpet as your first, what led you to that decision? He's totally gorgeous, by the way. & your dog is simply stunning!

 

[smigon]

Welcome! Beautiful snake!

To become a knowledgeable corn junkie (oh no, you can't have just one!) you need to get to reading. On this forum there are stickies at the top of every topic, read those to start out, especially Nanci's caresheet. Also read as many books as you can, two of the best were written by members of this forum, and will get you in the know on everything corns.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...20kathy love

http://www.amazon.com/Corn-Snakes-Ca...eg+corn+snakes

Nanci's sheet: http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95298

As you are probably aware, already owning a snake, what you read in the books aren't suggestions unless stated, they are things that need to be done to keep your snake healthy. Yes, corn snakes are hardy and don't require much care, but setting up for a corn snake needs to be taken seriously. Getting the UTH with a thermostat is a MUST, not a suggestion, a lot of newbies think that "eh, it will be fine since I am comfortable in my home" but getting the setup ready and everything you will need needs to be done before you get your new baby.

We are glad to have you here, do some reading and don't hesitate to ask any questions about what you read. We are all here for the same reason, and want happy, healthy corns!

 

[LittleFrog]

Equinox! Welcome to the forum! How's that gorgeous boy Trent doing?

 

[Myca]

Hello, beautiful dog. I love shepherds. Unfortunately they are on the bad dog list for my homeowner's insurance. Nice snake too. Welcome.

 

[loud]

Woah, it makes me giggle that you it a Jungle Carpet as your first, what led you to that decision? He's totally gorgeous, by the way. & your dog is simply stunning!

Haha, I usually get a similar reaction when I mention it to other hobbyists, or the people at the reptile/exotics stores (where I buy frozen rats). Not usually what people recommend for a first snake!! I was so set on getting a Ball Python at first, but then Jungle Carpet Pythons caught my eye. Had a few people tell me it was a bad idea, and then a few people tell me to go for it, and talked it over with the breeder and he thought it would be fine. My main concern was that I wanted a snake I could handle frequently, and I know thoughts on the JCP temperament can vary. But in the end I figured... I like dogs that bite, so why not snakes? LOL

But honestly, the main factor that led me to JCPs would just be how pretty they are. Their color, patterns, size, and head shape are exactly what I like aesthetically. And their hardiness and feeding response is a huge plus! Not going to lie, I wasn't completely sure I made the right decision at first, but since bringing him home I couldn't be happier.

Definitely hooked on the hobby, and I am in love with the little guy (as you can probably tell)! This is my current Facebook profile picture -

My little snake-stache

Welcome! Beautiful snake!

To become a knowledgeable corn junkie (oh no, you can't have just one!) you need to get to reading. On this forum there are stickies at the top of every topic, read those to start out, especially Nanci's caresheet. Also read as many books as you can, two of the best were written by members of this forum, and will get you in the know on everything corns.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...20kathy love

http://www.amazon.com/Corn-Snakes-Ca...eg+corn+snakes

Nanci's sheet: http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95298

As you are probably aware, already owning a snake, what you read in the books aren't suggestions unless stated, they are things that need to be done to keep your snake healthy. Yes, corn snakes are hardy and don't require much care, but setting up for a corn snake needs to be taken seriously. Getting the UTH with a thermostat is a MUST, not a suggestion, a lot of newbies think that "eh, it will be fine since I am comfortable in my home" but getting the setup ready and everything you will need needs to be done before you get your new baby.

We are glad to have you here, do some reading and don't hesitate to ask any questions about what you read. We are all here for the same reason, and want happy, healthy corns!

Thank you so much for the links! I'll be sure to check them all out. I'll make sure my sister reads them, too.

And yes, I absolutely understand that there are the basic "must do"s of snake care. Some snakes may be hardy, but I'd rather not put them to the test. My priority is always to make sure they're healthy and as happy as a snake can be.

Jungle Carpet Pythons require a similar heat gradient, though perhaps on the warmer end (cool side of high 70's F to 80's F, warm side of ~90 F) and are not picky about humidity either. I have a tub enclosure at the moment for my JCP (semi-arboreal and 2-3 ft. in length), with a heat tape, a thermostat, and a temp gun that I use several times daily, just as a precaution.

This is his enclosure, right before cleaning. I don't know if corn snakes like climbs or not, but I am thinking of something similar for a young corn snake that's not yet full sized?

The sides of his tub are secured by binder clips. It's larger than he needs for his size, but he likes perching so much that I thought I'd give him some more room and options. I'd probably start a new snake out with multiple hides if I go with a tub of that size, or maybe just a smaller tub if it's really feeling insecure.

Equinox! Welcome to the forum! How's that gorgeous boy Trent doing?

Hi!! I knew you were a part of this forum and was wondering what your username would be! I'll have to message you on Facebook sometime if I ever have any questions. Did not think I'd be getting a corn snake, but my sister's caught the snake loving bug!

Trent's doing great, now that the weather is nice we're jogging/walking about 7-8 miles a day and playing a lot of ball in between. He's loving that! Also met Impulse the other day again (think he forgot the first meeting) and they were both very curious about each other. But after a few sniffs, I think he was unimpressed.

Bad cellphone picture, but he's hanging out in the background LOL

Hello, beautiful dog. I love shepherds. Unfortunately they are on the bad dog list for my homeowner's insurance. Nice snake too. Welcome.

Hi! Thanks so much. He's a great dog - my first dog, actually. It is a bummer about that GSDs are considered dangerous breeds (making insurance expensive and housing hard to find), but I don't think I'll ever be without a GSD!

 

[Tavia]

Hello and welcome! I recognize that beautiful dog! Great looking Carpet too.

Blizzards are still semi rare, I'd say and might be a little hard to find locally. I'd suggest getting a yearling corn if you can find one. That way it will be very well established but still young enough you can enjoy watching it grow.

 

[LittleFrog]

Hi!! I knew you were a part of this forum and was wondering what your username would be! I'll have to message you on Facebook sometime if I ever have any questions. Did not think I'd be getting a corn snake, but my sister's caught the snake loving bug!

Trent's doing great, now that the weather is nice we're jogging/walking about 7-8 miles a day and playing a lot of ball in between. He's loving that! Also met Impulse the other day again (think he forgot the first meeting) and they were both very curious about each other. But after a few sniffs, I think he was unimpressed.

Bad cellphone picture, but he's hanging out in the background LOL

Message away! Although with all the wonderful info to be found here, you probably won't need to, lol! Impulse is looking really good! I'd love to get a carpet python one day if they weren't banned here, sigh. They're one of the few pythons that I like the look of, corns are just much more my thing aesthetically, but carpets are soooo pretty! Snakes are so addictive though, lol. I'm already planning to add another in the next month or so, a vanishing stripe anery!

 

[LittleFrog]

Hello and welcome! I recognize that beautiful dog!

Tavia, are you a dog forums member too?

 

[Tavia]

Tavia, are you a dog forums member too?

No, a ssnakess .com member, although under a different user name.

 

[loud]

Hello and welcome! I recognize that beautiful dog! Great looking Carpet too.

Blizzards are still semi rare, I'd say and might be a little hard to find locally. I'd suggest getting a yearling corn if you can find one. That way it will be very well established but still young enough you can enjoy watching it grow.

Thank you! And thanks for the advice, it's very much appreciated. I went through the vendor's list for the expo this summer and found one that may have blizzards, but the website hasn't been updated yet. I messaged him to check and will be waiting to hear back... otherwise, I will probably have to ship.

I'd definitely lean towards a yearling, mostly because of how little and delicate the hatchlings seem to me. I'm actually more a fan of adults, but they're (understandably) more expensive, and I'm betting that most would be hard pressed to sell their good looking adult blizzard.

Message away! Although with all the wonderful info to be found here, you probably won't need to, lol! Impulse is looking really good! I'd love to get a carpet python one day if they weren't banned here, sigh. They're one of the few pythons that I like the look of, corns are just much more my thing aesthetically, but carpets are soooo pretty! Snakes are so addictive though, lol. I'm already planning to add another in the next month or so, a vanishing stripe anery!

Awesome!! And yeah, it really is addicting. The only thing holding me back is space - I like fairly large tubs for enclosures, and I don't think I'd be able to fit too many of them in my little room. But who knows? I'm kind of thinking I'd like to pick up a Ball Python at that expo...

Carpets are so cool, though. I'll definitely always have at least one and am so glad I decided to get one!! He's actually been a great snake for people to handle when they want to hold one and learn more about them. I made a new friend that way, actually, and she and her roommates know me as "the girl with the snake" LOL She actually ended up getting a corn snake recently!

Tavia, are you a dog forums member too?

I'm guessing BP forums or the other snake forum? The BP forum I joined to get advice on BPs vs. JCPs, whereas I post more frequently to the other snake forums now. I know I've posted pictures of the crazy dog to both boards LOL I creeped a little bit on Tavia's Facebook page and the photos look very familiar. I think I was looking at the just yesterday! Gorgeous outdoor photos, I have to say!

 

[loud]

No, a ssnakess .com member, although under a different user name.

That's right! That's the one. I've taken to browsing the corn snake subforum lately Really love all your photos!

 

[LittleFrog]

Yeah, I just assumed she meant DF when she mentioned Trent, lol.

Awesome!! And yeah, it really is addicting. The only thing holding me back is space - I like fairly large tubs for enclosures, and I don't think I'd be able to fit too many of them in my little room. But who knows? I'm kind of thinking I'd like to pick up a Ball Python at that expo...

Carpets are so cool, though. I'll definitely always have at least one and am so glad I decided to get one!! He's actually been a great snake for people to handle when they want to hold one and learn more about them. I made a new friend that way, actually, and she and her roommates know me as "the girl with the snake" LOL She actually ended up getting a corn snake recently!

Space is my issue too, but that's why you build a rack and go vertical, lol! My friend and coworker is super handy and has every tool imaginable, so she'll be helping me build a nice one in the next year or so, something like this:

 

[Tavia]

That's right! That's the one. I've taken to browsing the corn snake subforum lately Really love all your photos!

Thank you!

 

[LittleFrog]

I'd love to get a carpet python one day, but the new law here is just so dumb! There are still people selling them in the city, but it's just not worth the risk. The law bans pythons over 2 meters, which is just over 6 feet, but even though Jungle Carpet pythons typically don't get larger than 2 meters, the city still claims they're banned, because other Carpet Python species get over 2 meters, even though they don't even have the correct scientific name listed on the bylaw, they still claim that they're banned. The way the law works, if one specimen of a species of python EVER got over 2.2 meters, even if it was a total freak of nature, the whole species is banned. Some people have apparently fought in court and won when the city tried to fine them and confiscate their snakes, but it's just not worth the cost and expense.

 

[The Cat]

You take magnificent pictures! Welcome to the forum.

 

[loud]

Space is my issue too, but that's why you build a rack and go vertical, lol! My friend and coworker is super handy and has every tool imaginable, so she'll be helping me build a nice one in the next year or so, something like this:

Haha, that's true, but if that happens I don't think I'll ever stop. Plus, I think eventually I would like a nice glass door enclosure like the one you linked. Impulse is just too pretty not to be on display! Am very, very jealous that you have a friend who could help you make one. I don't think I'd be able to afford a premade display like that anytime soon, and don't know anyone who's especially handle.

But I still might be able to wrangle a few of my guy friends into helping me out, so I'm staying hopeful!! Will be a fun project to work on in the future.

Thank you!

Of course! I really enjoyed viewing the photos, and love seeing good photography combined with snakes

I'd love to get a carpet python one day, but the new law here is just so dumb! There are still people selling them in the city, but it's just not worth the risk. The law bans pythons over 2 meters, which is just over 6 feet, but even though Jungle Carpet pythons typically don't get larger than 2 meters, the city still claims they're banned, because other Carpet Python species get over 2 meters, even though they don't even have the correct scientific name listed on the bylaw, they still claim that they're banned. The way the law works, if one specimen of a species of python EVER got over 2.2 meters, even if it was a total freak of nature, the whole species is banned. Some people have apparently fought in court and won when the city tried to fine them and confiscate their snakes, but it's just not worth the cost and expense.

Yeah, that law is crazy. Additionally, the 2 meter/6 feet figure just seems very random to me, as a 6 ft. snake should still be manageable without any help? Particularly with a slimmer snake like a Carpet Python. That's just really disappointing all around... I am already in love with JCPs and think they're fantastic pet snakes (even if some of them are chainsaws LOL).

You take magnificent pictures! Welcome to the forum.

Thank you so much, I appreciate it!

 

[LittleFrog]

Yeah, that law is crazy. Additionally, the 2 meter/6 feet figure just seems very random to me, as a 6 ft. snake should still be manageable without any help? Particularly with a slimmer snake like a Carpet Python. That's just really disappointing all around... I am already in love with JCPs and think they're fantastic pet snakes (even if some of them are chainsaws LOL).

What's extra dumb is that they consulted with all kinds of experts, plus other cities in other provinces that had instituted similar bans, and they ALL told them that a ban on pythons over 2 meters made no sense, that they should only ban pythons over 3 meters, which is what all the other cities were doing, but they totally ignored them. Our Animal Services director is a known reptile hater though, so no big surprise, sigh.

 

[loud]

What's extra dumb is that they consulted with all kinds of experts, plus other cities in other provinces that had instituted similar bans, and they ALL told them that a ban on pythons over 2 meters made no sense, that they should only ban pythons over 3 meters, which is what all the other cities were doing, but they totally ignored them. Our Animal Services director is a known reptile hater though, so no big surprise, sigh.

That really sucks 2 meters/6 feet is really not much at all, and if we're going by "species where individuals can maybe possibly reach 6 ft"... that's a lot of banned species!

Although, now I'm wondering, how does one enforce a ban like that? Aside from making selling certain species in the area illegal? I mean, say I moved in to your area with my male JCP (unlikely to reach 6 ft), who in the world is going to know? Just curious because you mentioned that some people had their snakes confiscated - but if they were aware of that law, you'd think their snakes would be relatively easy to hide (depending on the size/enclosure required)? Obviously not suggesting that anyone break the law! LOL

 

[LittleFrog]

That really sucks 2 meters/6 feet is really not much at all, and if we're going by "species where individuals can maybe possibly reach 6 ft"... that's a lot of banned species!

Although, now I'm wondering, how does one enforce a ban like that? Aside from making selling certain species in the area illegal? I mean, say I moved in to your area with my male JCP (unlikely to reach 6 ft), who in the world is going to know? Just curious because you mentioned that some people had their snakes confiscated - but if they were aware of that law, you'd think their snakes would be relatively easy to hide (depending on the size/enclosure required)? Obviously not suggesting that anyone break the law! LOL

It's not super easy to enforce, but really all it takes is for someone to find out you own one who reports you. And with the rep snakes have, there's sadly a lot of people who would