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Thinking of getting first reptile pet (Corn snake)

J

Jerricko

New member
Hello

I've been thinking of getting my first reptilian pet, a corn snake, for about 2 months now. My main concern is finding a vet that could help should my snake fall ill (touch wood) I've been doing research on and off but I feel that there is more I should know. I originally considered placing it's cage next to my desk but I feel that the noise from my computer would disturb (As I'm a gamer, and my desk is in my living room) I'm also concerned of what my reaction should be if it latches on to one of my fingers thinking it's food.

I have asked on my country's reptile forum about vets in my area and have heard of one that is a bit of a drive from my house but not that far from my work. I've been to a local pet shop today to check some prices and the snakes themselves. As I went there on a cold morning, many of the snakes were a little lethargic(I think that was the reason) except one that I noticed who was a active and gave at least one tongue flick that I recall; I believe he may have been hungry and was on the hunt. All of them seemed juvenile with the majority a little larger than hatchlings while the active one was one of the largest.

If I fair well with the snake, I would like to get more reptiles later in life; particularly leopard geckos and chameleons when I have a few years of experience.

On an interesting note: Going through morphs, I noticed that the Anerythristic Bloodred Stripe looks a lot like a black mamba; so if a burglar were to see it, they would probably run as if they were being chased by death itself, since I live in South Africa.
 
Not sure if your country/area is available, but Here is a site dedicated to listing reptile vets around the world... http://www.arav.org/find-a-vet/

Also, not sure about shipping to your country but if at all possible you really should try to find either a local breeder or get in touch with one of the amazing ones here in this community. I know shipping a snake sounds weird, but with FedEx overnight pet delivery it's rather safe for the most part. While I can't truely slam pet store purchases (mine came from PetCo) I really must advise at least trying a breeder first.

And then there's the obligatory "Make sure you learn everything you need to know first, not after getting the snake." and "Get the entire habitat, lighting, heating, decoration, EVERYTHING ahead of time, get it all cleaned and sanitized and up and running to proper heat and humidity before actually purchasing the snake." Follow those two bits of advice and you're sure to end up with an amazing first reptile experience!
 
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Another member, gekosin, isn't far from you and has several corn snakes and other "alternative pets". They might be able to answer questions about local stuff such as vets and the best place to find a good snake.

As for the general care, you'll find lots of info here. I haven't had mine long, I probably wouldn't have the best advice. But you're at the right place. :)

_
 
Jerricko said:
On an interesting note: Going through morphs, I noticed that the Anerythristic Bloodred Stripe looks a lot like a black mamba; so if a burglar were to see it, they would probably run as if they were being chased by death itself, since I live in South Africa.
Click to expand...

:laugh:
That would be fun to see.

Welcome to the group.
You seem to be preparing the responsible way. I would just add that we get a lot of sad stories about escapes. Make sure you have a secure habitat.
 
I'm being particularly careful of it's housing arrangements. I had a lot of rodent escaped when I was a kid (mainly down to improper housing) and the last thing I want is my snake to get out.

Are there any particular type of vivs you might recommend? I would also like to get your opinions about the activeness of the snakes I described.
 
ZiggysMom said:
:laugh:
That would be fun to see.

Welcome to the group.
You seem to be preparing the responsible way. I would just add that we get a lot of sad stories about escapes. Make sure you have a secure habitat.
Click to expand...

[Raises hand] As someone who had a close call I can say for a fact the soul crushing heartbreak of a missing snake was awful. Really relieved tofind my little one but its better to never to experience it at all.

Welcome and you will love a corn snake!
 
Jerricko said:
Are there any particular type of vivs you might recommend?
Click to expand...
As far as escapes go, anything with proper locking would be good. I'd personally recommend something with sliding glass front doors (with a door lock) and sturdy back panel ventilation. The sliding front doors make the cage easier to access and make you seem like less of a threat when getting the snake out.
I would also like to get your opinions about the activeness of the snakes I described.
Click to expand...
It's not uncommon for snakes to seem lethargic, especially during the day. Corns are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at times of low to no light, mostly during early morning and late evening and overnight. Corns are also a fairly docile snake by nature, usually just chillin in one spot doing their thing. It's really hard to tell if there were problems with any of them, especially at a pet store.
 
I was able to get a small book about the basics. I was a little put off by my local pet store because they don't sell frozen mice anymore and live ones are out of stock and that some of the reptile enclosures seem too small and the bearded dragons seem over crowded (There are five in a viv slightly larger than the one I'm looking at for my snake and there are a whole pack of hatchlings in a separate viv).

A local owner told me that he didn't support this pet store because he felt that the reptiles are improperly cared for (Though the snakes seem healthy enough) but the pet store that he bought from removed it's reptile section.

I feel that if I were to buy from this store that I should get a hatchling because I doubt that they would be able to tell me much about the older snakes feeding and shedding history. I also noticed that one of the Miamis had old skin still on it.
 
Be just as careful buying a hatchling as you would any other snake. Some hatchling's are prone to be non-feeders, and unless they have a successful track record of a few successful meals ( I would say 5 before I bought one) I wouldn't sign up for that headache. Dealing with a baby snake that refuses to eat, will not be enjoyable as your first snake pet.

Amanda recommended another South African member (Gekosin), try to PM them first to see if there's any other option's besides the petstore you speak of.

As for vivs, just don't get an aquarium with a screen lid w/ clamps. It will not contain a cornsnake, I would definitely invest a few extra dollars for a viv that is built for snakes and has front opening locking doors. In the long run, knowing your snake cannot escape is an important piece of mind that you will truly appreciate.

Wishing you the best of luck. I like the Black mamba look-a-like idea ;)
 
Amazon.com has lots of books on corn snakes, I downloaded 5 onto my Kindle, but you can download them onto your computer if you don't have a Kindle or other such reader.

Each pretty much agree with each other for basic care but each also add some extra info too, so I recommend reading several books before your purchase. I didn't know a thing nor have my viv set up when we bought Scarlett from a breeder, but he and the lady at Petco (we stopped on the way home from the breeder, Scarlett was in my purse in the deli container! Boy, have I learned a lot since then!) helped select the right substrate (get it from the rodent section, same stuff, different packaging, lesser price) and items for the viv. It didn't take long to set it up, and we used a heat lamp so it was heated immediately, but I definitely recommend, again, read as much as you can first.

Best of luck!
 
Amazon.com has many books on corn snakes, I downloaded about 5 of them to my Kindle. All pretty much agreed with each other on their basic care, but each also had other info to add, so it was never boring reading.

Definitely download, buy, or get from the library as many books as you can on the subject. I have referred back to them often when Scarlett was still new. They will help you become well versed before you even get your snake.

I bought my corn before I had even set up a viv for her, I stopped at Petco on the way home and made the proper purchases with the help of a (fortunately) well-educated employee. She let me know that the substrate was the same stuff they use for rodents, but because it was packaged differently it was cheaper. She also helped choose viv items, and Scarlett is a happy camper today. BTW, I had Scarlett in my purse in the deli container on the way home from the breeder when we stopped in Petco. Surprised the hell out of the employee when she asked what kind of snake and I pulled her out of my purse!

As for them thinking your finger is food, don't worry. Unless it is starving, corns sort of stalk and check out their dinner from a few angles before starting to eat. They like to start with the head, so if she is at the other end, she makes her way to an angle where it is easy to take the head first. Unless they are biters, I don't know of many people bitten by their corns, and if they do, it is described as feeling like rubbing the hard piece of velcro.

Best of luck, and besides the books, this forum has been the best source of info and help. I am no longer totally new to snakes and am very comfortable with her, thanks to this forum.
 
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