Newbie, waiting to buy

[pearl89]

Hello,

New to the forums, and to corn snakes in general. I don't own one yet, but I have been looking in to getting a corn snake for a while now. For the past 4 years I have been living on my university campus, I am graduating soon and will finally be able to have a snake!! I will probably be buying one when I go to the Pittsburgh reptile show June 27th, or at the latest the one in August (don't think I can actually wait that long tho, lol).

Anyone else going to the Pittsburgh reptile show?

 

[martin-bernstein]

Depending on what kind of morph you want you might be better off waiting til August. By that time most of the 2010 breeding projects will have hatched and there will be a massive amount of available little snakes, and a variety of morphs to choose from. That's not to say that there aren't some cool 2009 babies available still. I was at the White Plains Expo and there were a few cool babies, but not nearly the variety that will be ready for the taking in August.
But if you don't really care about getting a fancy shmancy super desirable $150 hatchling then it doesn't really matter what time of year you shop...

 

[K. Rene]

Hi there and Welcome there are a few ppl on her who I know live in dorms but secretly have a snake or two with them lol. Have you decided which color morph you might get? Corns are incredibly addicting, so consider yourself warned, once you have one they tend to attract more. Let us know if you have any questions, and be sure to keep us informed on when you get your first one, if you can only get just one lol

 

[pearl89]

Hi,

Thanks for the warm welcome! Yeah Im envious of the people who can get away with having snakes on campus! My CA (community advisor) does do health inspections from time to time and would probably flip if she saw one, lol, she is definately afraid of anything that doesnt have fluffy fur.

I actually am not too picky about what morph I get, I really like the candy cane and creamsicles morphs but honestly I think all corn snakes are beautiful!!! Even the "normal" ones. Right now, I just want a healthy pet with no feeding issues and I've heard so many bad things about buying reptiles, or animals in general, at places like PETCO that I much rather go to a reptile show to get the animal from experienced breeders. The only reason I'm even waiting until June for the reptile show is that I wil be traveling for most of May (my parents graduation present to me) so it would not be a good time to get a young snake. Plus all the trustworthy people I know hate snakes and would never even think of baby sitting

 

[carnivorouszoo]

hoorah for you waiting! Too many people rush out and get animals without thinking ahead. This shows great potential in you for being an exellent pet owner! Another thing is to be sure you have its new home setup before you bring them home so you know that the heater and everything works right. Can't wait to see pics of your new friend!

 

[pearl89]

hoorah for you waiting! Too many people rush out and get animals without thinking ahead. This shows great potential in you for being an exellent pet owner! Another thing is to be sure you have its new home setup before you bring them home so you know that the heater and everything works right. Can't wait to see pics of your new friend!

Thank you! Yeah I plan to buy everything the day before I get the corn, but someone told me I should just wait to buy it at the show cause the prices are better and, also, then I will know the exact size of the snake I have. Im curious to see what everyone thinks.

 

[Nanci]

The bad thing about buying the day before (or day of) is you want to have the UTH running and the thermostat adjusted before you put the snake in.

 

[kadaysa]

Well personally kudos to you because I am never very good at waiting. I have purchased most of my snakes from members here off of cornsnakes because I have found the quality is awesome and the level of knowledge and care is subperb. I am not knocking a show. My local shows have given me some great snakes at excellent excellent prices,seriously excellent prices. I am just more lerely at my personal local show. First question to ask is if they are eating f/t because pesonally alot of seller at my local show find it just "easier" to feed live. There are some great snakes at such good prices right now here on our site as some are trying to make room for spring babies, otherwise tough it out a few months and you will see this site blow up with babies for sale. Good luck and have fun most importantly

 

[pearl89]

Well personally kudos to you because I am never very good at waiting. I have purchased most of my snakes from members here off of cornsnakes because I have found the quality is awesome and the level of knowledge and care is subperb. I am not knocking a show. My local shows have given me some great snakes at excellent excellent prices,seriously excellent prices. I am just more lerely at my personal local show. First question to ask is if they are eating f/t because pesonally alot of seller at my local show find it just "easier" to feed live. There are some great snakes at such good prices right now here on our site as some are trying to make room for spring babies, otherwise tough it out a few months and you will see this site blow up with babies for sale. Good luck and have fun most importantly

I considered buying one online from a reputable breeder, but I will be moving to Pittsburgh to attend graduate school and my schedule is going to be nuts! I doubt I will be available to stay in my apartment and sign for the snake. Thats why the show sounds perfect since its on a Sunday

 

[Dreamsnake]

Well, I did buy two snakes from Petco, one died and the other is very small. She eats every time I feed her, she is just one of those slow growers. I will never get another snake from them again. Seriously handle those snakes you think you may want to own, check for kinks, rough patches, bite marks. You want an active corn snake, some snakes will sit still and you may think he's just chilling like a ball python. This may be a bad sign, so give him a little tickle and check his reaction. My next snake is coming from one of the breeders on this site.
Waiting is hard, believe me I know. I had to wait over twenty years for my first pet snake only to have him die in my hands.

 

[pearl89]

Well, I did buy two snakes from Petco, one died and the other is very small. She eats every time I feed her, she is just one of those slow growers. I will never get another snake from them again. Seriously handle those snakes you think you may want to own, check for kinks, rough patches, bite marks. You want an active corn snake, some snakes will sit still and you may think he's just chilling like a ball python. This may be a bad sign, so give him a little tickle and check his reaction. My next snake is coming from one of the breeders on this site.
Waiting is hard, believe me I know. I had to wait over twenty years for my first pet snake only to have him die in my hands.

I'm so sorry you lost your first baby! Thats why I guess I'm doing all this research before I get one, one it gives me something to do before I wait to get one, and second I'm so paranoid about killing my first snake, I have such bad luck in general I cant risk it.