| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 11:20:39
... before i make the decision to get one.
Some of you may have read my introduction, some may not. I am looking into getting a Corn Snake (my first reptilian pet). I have a few questions to ask before i make a decision. and then a few general questions about the up keep of such a pet.
Pre-Purchase Questions
1. I have a very inquisitive cat (Tallulah).She's an indoor cat as we live on a very very busy road so chances are she is going to be sniffing around looking into the vivarium generally while we are there. I plan to keep the snake in a room that Tallulah doesn’t have access to while we are at work/ut of the flat. Is her inquisitiveness likely to stress/cause problems for the snake?
2. How quickly do they grow. I ask because I want to work out my finances for upgrading the snakes vivarium when they out grow the one i'll purchase when i get the snake. I'll preferably be buying a young snake. I asked a guy at a local Reptile store and he said around 6in a year?? Is that correct?
3. Do they require direct natural sunlight into their vivariums? I ask this because the room i hope to keep it in is north facing so wouldn’t get much direct sunlight into the vivarium.
After purchase questions:
1. Substrate - I read that some wood chip substrates are bad for the snake. The one offered with the starter vivarium is beech? Good or bad?
2. Transporting - The reptile store nearest my house is 18 miles away. Is this an ok distance to transport a snake without causing too much stress? I also ask this because i read somewhere that you can take your snake back to the store for little checkups (health, if they need to increase meal size etc).
3. Cleaning - I read that you should clean droppings as and when they happen (or as soon as you can when home from work) which is fine. What about total vivarium cleans? Do you replace all of the substrate? How often (every 2-3weeks)? What cleaning materials are advised for cleaning the vivarium, feeding and housing etc?
4. Housing - The main concern i have with housing is temperature. I know there is a heat mat required and that it should be set around 28-29 degrees. What about the other end of the vivarium? What temperature should that be at? I know snakes regulate their own heat, just concerned that the cold end of the vivarium is too cold. My home sits ar around 19degrees room temp all year round?
5. Feeding - How often should they feed when they are young. The brother in-laws partner feed his adult snakes once a week. Or is this a question i should ask the reptile store?
Thanks all i can think of at present. I am sure the more time goes by the more questions will pop. I'll post a new post if need more answers.
A list of questions i should ask the store when buying a snake would also be helpful.
Thanks in advance :D |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 10/08/2011 : 13:11:58
Ok thanks for that Andy. Was just paranoid that i am stressing it out too much. Handling her for about 5-10mins a day at the minute Except after feeding etc. |
| andyj |
Posted - 10/08/2011 : 12:50:41
All very normal ! |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 08/08/2011 : 11:09:06
Can breathe a lot better now. It hasnt regurged anything that i can see, but will have a good look tonight. Was out most of yesterday (Chester Zoo). She was mooching about last night and this morning as normal. Looks like a happy snake 
EDIT: query with regards to handling. When I handle her she at first she's moving quickly. Then calms and explores a little. When I put her back in the faun she hides and coils up. Is this normal? |
| scottishbluebird |
Posted - 06/08/2011 : 22:00:33
Can you breathe ok now? it is possible she is getting ready for a shed, glad she fed ok, and the little roll she did, id be very surprised if that bothered her |
| thistle |
Posted - 06/08/2011 : 19:14:01
Great to hear that it went so well. :-D |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 05/08/2011 : 14:28:02
Well its the temp reading i'd say i am worried about. The stat is set at 27c and is going on and off as it should but the probe on the therm is whats confusing me a little.
EDIT: First handling session and feed went ok.
Handling - When I went to get her out the faun she made a mad dash for it. Heart was racing a little but manger to get brood of her. Once in my hands she calmed a little and stayed still long enough to get a few pics. Poor light tho. OH chose not to handle her this time after seeing its speed. Whilst handling she looked a little dull is this common for hatchlings? I've looked at her everybody and not noticed her go blue. Could just be me being paranoid!?
Feed - Went well. Took her about 5-10mins to find the pinkie. Once she did it was gone in a matter of seconds. Gave he the smallest pinkie we had for our first feed. When we went to put her back it by slighty tilting the faun she roll upside down but seemed ok. She eventually made her move to her hide and looked ok. Hope the tumble/roll doesn't cause problems.
All in all a good first feed and handling! |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 05/08/2011 : 14:24:15
quote:
Originally posted by Tallscientist
A query about temperature differences - in this heat I wonder how is it possible to keep the cool end cool? It's so hot in my flat even I'm stifling!
Not really. There are some threads about attaching fans near vents but I just leave mine. My cool ends are reading 26-28.
Cans van move the probe a bit, mine are weighed down by stones inside the viv so I get diffferent readings but I have a pulse stat so it doesn't make no difference really. Could you not have the stat probe on the outside of the faun if you are worried, resting directly on the mat and touching as much as the bottom of the plastic as possible with a book or something on top. |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 04/08/2011 : 07:32:47
The cool end in mine at the moment is around 23-24c. Which is 5c difference. I assume this is enough for then to cool. Just means they'll spend less Rome at the warm end.
EDIT: My thermostat. Is the hot weather likely to be playing a part in it? I thought i had all the levels just about right. Had it fluctuating between 28c and 29.5c. Got home from work and it was 30.9c. However the stat was off at this point.
Could it just be the fact that the probe has been moved by the snake, or is the warm weather messing with my readings. Just a little concerned as i;ll be feeding her for the first time this weekend. |
| Tallscientist |
Posted - 03/08/2011 : 21:08:21
A query about temperature differences - in this heat I wonder how is it possible to keep the cool end cool? It's so hot in my flat even I'm stifling! |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 22:56:09
She's had a stop a stare a few time but Lilith keeps retreating. Lilith is being kept in the bedroom. Mainly because we keep the cat out of there during the day. I don't think she quite knows what's going on. Ingotba pic of her staring into the Faun, but this was before the snake had arrived lol. Will keep you posted. |
| scottishbluebird |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 22:45:20
How is your pretty kitty getting on with Lilith? i was too slow to get camera of biscuit looking very friendly at Kellogs, Kellogs went for a nosy which would have been a cute pic |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 20:23:04
Ok thanks for that. Thought it would be down to the fact it's not eaten since last Monday. |
| tarotpodge |
Posted - 02/08/2011 : 19:59:04
mine normally go 3 days after a feed then again on the forth day, then nothing till after their next feed. But all corns are different wiv different habbits and pattens of pooing. Nothing to worry about... |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 01/08/2011 : 14:27:34
Might give them a ring to see if they know. Never thought of that...
EDIT: Rang them, they hadnt sexed it yet, was still too young apparently. He said to wait until it was a good 18in long.
EDIT 2: Just a quick question. I havent noticed any wee or poo yet from my arrival. Its last feed was Monday of last week (25th July). Is this something i should be worried about or is it just me being paranoid? |
| Spreebok |
Posted - 01/08/2011 : 14:14:01
I'd say to wait until it's bigger, and than go get it probed at a reptile shop. Or, just pop in again and ask, they should still be able to tell you so soon after. |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 01/08/2011 : 12:59:46
I've not touched those holes and have no wires throught them. The wires i've fed through the air slits in the lid and tape some paper over it incase its a little to wide, but i think i am safe at the moment. But i am also very paranoid something will go wrong!
EDIT: How do i go about sexing. With the excitment I totally forgot to ask yesterday. Do i need to wait to a certian age? It's currently around 6-8weeks old. |
| Spreebok |
Posted - 01/08/2011 : 12:55:12
quote:
Originally posted by Simmy_82
Thanks. We thought it was stuck! Thankfully not.
EDIT: Here is the hiding place where it had us worried! Was watching it last night probing for holes in the faun's defenses. Then i got worried again. The little holes for the cables! i sore its snout and tounge trying to get through!! so i blocked those with some kitchen roll! That was the second panic of the night! Thankfully it was in its cold hide this morning so all is well. Will nip home at lunch to check on it.
Yeah, what out for those holes! When I had Lister in a faun, I had to open the hole up a bit to fir the probe in, then blocked it off with tissue. Someone twiddled with thw wries and the tissue pulled out. I cam back to find him with his head stuck, poking out the hole at the top of the faun. Prodded him back in and sealed it better, but he's still got a little dint in his head where he scraped it! (but he's in blue, and will the the 4th shed since it happened, so it might completely come out yay!) |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 31/07/2011 : 21:01:21
Thanks. We thought it was stuck! Thankfully not.
EDIT: Here is the hiding place where it had us worried! Was watching it last night probing for holes in the faun's defenses. Then i got worried again. The little holes for the cables! i sore its snout and tounge trying to get through!! so i blocked those with some kitchen roll! That was the second panic of the night! Thankfully it was in its cold hide this morning so all is well. Will nip home at lunch to check on it.
 |
| west5680 |
Posted - 31/07/2011 : 20:55:27
ha ha welcome to the club, they like to keep you on your feet. |
| Simmy_82 |
Posted - 31/07/2011 : 19:22:22
Yeah i got it today! He/she is beautiful!
I saw in the pet shop today you get get those feeders that release water as it's drank. Also was told that you can take them to reptile stores which will look after them for a few. Usually about £2 a day.
EDIT: Had our first panic. Thought it had got out. Amazing where they can get themselves. Had itself balanced on the little lip between the lid and base of the Faun. Can sense a sleepless night!! |
