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Simmy_82
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1272 Posts |
 Posted - 18/07/2011 : 11:20:39
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... 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 |
 
0.1.0 - Cat - Tallulah
0.0.1 - Carolina Corn Snake - Lilith |
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Laws
Yearling
United Kingdom
935 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 12:01:35
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ok i will have a go at answering some and some of the more experienced keepers will come and help too :)
Pre-purchase questions:
1 -Your cat shouldnt stress the snake out , but just make sure that the tank u keep the snake in cant be knocked off with the cat jumping to investigate...
2 - the all grow very differently to be honest , both of mine are 12 months old and ones very thick and chunky whereas my other is very tiny in comparision.
3 - they dont really require direct sunlight into their vivs i dont think , mine dont at present , but they will still get day night cycles through change of overall light in the room and the temperature changes .
After purchase questions ;
1- substrate - every one seems to use different substrate , aspen i find to be great as they can burrow under it , buy when i first got mine and even now i still use kitchen roll as it makes cleaning very easy as they arent in vivs yet . beech chips are fine to use also aswel as newspaper .
2- transporting - normally the store will give u something to transport ur snake in and if u take a tea towel with u , u can cover it over to minimalise stress . i have travelled 2 hours to get a snake and my new one did a four hour trip and seemed fine , just put cover in their tank for transporting back for check ups etc .
3- Cleaning - Spot check every day and change water every other day , deep cleaning once a month where u strip everything down and give it all a good clean , u can get f10 which i think people use or some stores sell spray cleaning stuff that works well too .
4 -housing - As long as the warm end is at the right temperature , there should be a gradiant that will give the snake enough temps to chose from and the cold end will be fine at room temperature it will be fine , if they are too cold they will move to the warm end . just make sure that u use a stat to control and keep the warm end at a safe temperature .
5- Feeding - If its a young snake they say feed every 5 days on a suitable sized mouse /pinkie and as they grow u lengthen out the time to 7 days then 10-14 . But ask the store what feeding schedule he/she is already on.
Hope that helps abit :) questions to ask the shop , feeding schedule , and ask for records of feeding , so u can see if the snake feeds consistanly and check the snake over , clear eyes , vent , scales all in good condition etc....
have fun deciding and picking ur new addition out :) |
www.facebook.com/Thehogbox
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KITTYCAT
Hatchling
United Kingdom
492 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 12:19:09
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Hi its good to see people reaserching before they purchase a snake.
The question about the cat i dont think the snake would be too happy if the cat was always potting at the tank but myself personally i didnt have a problem wiith my cat.
upgrading your viv all depends on the size of yor original one.
As for daylight snakes are nocturnal and prefer to hide during the day so i wouldnt place them in sunlight.
some wood chips contain pine which is bad for the snake, im not sure about beech someone else may help you out with that one. Iv always used aspen.
I havent experienced any bother with transpoting my snakes.You dont need to go back and forth to the pet store at all.In general you feed your snake pray no bigger than one and a half times the widest part of the snake.
Yes clen out any droppings daily.I do a complete viv clean every 3-4 weeks including changing aspen and use appropiate reptile cleaning spray on vivarium and water bowls you can purchase this form most pet shops.
snakes are cold blooded thats why you need a thermostat so there heat mat doesnt get to hot as they will just lie there and cook . The hot end should be around 28oc and cold end around 20oc
a hatchling should be fed a pinkie every 5-7 days ask for a note of its feeding when you purchase the snake.
Hope i have helped a bit.i have only advised you on my knoledge and experience someone else may be able to help you further. good luck! |
1.0.0 carolina corn (herbie)
0.1.0 snow corn (casper)
0.0.1 anery motley corn(diesel)
0.0.1 calafornia banded king snake (ozzy)
0.1.0 royal python (pandora)
0.0.1 boa constrictor (bullet)
1.0.0 weinmaraner (zac)
1.0.0 staffy (zeus)
1.1.0 cats (sophie n pepe)
0.0.1 fish (fish)
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Mamma
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
4494 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 12:35:54
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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? I have 2 cats.. they are very nosey esp wit the snakes.. but my snakes arent interested in them. The nosiness will wear off too.
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? All snakes are different when it comes to growing.. eg: my ghost motley is small for a yearling, my adult carolina is huge for an adult. Generally the rule of thumb that I have read people use as a guide is the length and width of the viv should not be smaller than the full length of your snake.
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. My snakes just have natural day light from the room they are in.
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? I use aspen. Its nice and soft for the snakes and they absolutely love burrowing under it.
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). I have transported one of my snakes from the seller for 26 miles... she was ok in a rub... and went into her new rub once she got home
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? I do a proper clean (change all substrate) every 4 weeks... spot cleaning daily and water changes every 2/3 days. I have a reptile disinfectant.
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? as previously mentioned.. if the snake is too cold it will move to the warm end and vice versa. And again, make sure a thermostat is used on the heatmat... if the heatmat gets too hot the snake can be at risk from burns if the set up is un-statted.
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? Ask the store how old the snake is. Also what it is currently feeding on and how often
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
Hopefully all of your questions can be answered for you and help you get everything sorted xxx
EDIT: also ask the store about shedding too. Make sure there are no shedding problems. Some stores keep feeding/shedding records but not all of them do xxx |
Please feel free to add my photography page on facebook .... or check me out on deviantart  :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MaliskaRodgersPhotography/
http://maliskarodgers.deviantart.com/ |
Edited by - Mamma on 18/07/2011 12:37:17 |
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tarotpodge
Hatchling
433 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 12:55:29
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One thing i would add is beech chips are ok. Substrate is a personal preferance. I have tried many types. Beech is good as its easy to see and poo.
At first, if getting a young snake, i would advise kitchen roll for starters. It allows you to see everything better and identify any issues or what is normal for your corn. Is the poo normal, urates, if there are any mites. Once you have had it for a few weeks, Feeding well, pooing normally and no sign of mites then change to a substrate.
I have this morning changed my young snakes on to aspen for the first time after having them for 6 weeks as i am now happy everything is healthy.
But remember to use a thin layer over where the heat mat is.
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2.0.3 Corns, Creamsicle(Phoenix), Ghost motley(Savanna), 2x carolina(Indiana+Severus), Amel stripe (Frazzle).
0.3.0 Dogs, Shar pei cross, Staff and Dalmation 0.3.0 Cats 2.0.0 Chinchillas 7.11.23 Tropical fish 1.0.0 Iguana |
Edited by - tarotpodge on 18/07/2011 12:58:35 |
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Simmy_82
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1272 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 12:57:36
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Thanks fot the advice. Thats given me the answers i need. So all being well in 2-3 weeks i will no doubt have a new snake
Another question:
Again about feeding, i see some people saying they feed them in a seperate feeder box. How do you get them from the feeder box back into their vivariums with out handling? Is it as simple as tipping them in??
The reptile cleaners i assume you get from the reptile stores? |
0.1.0 - Cat - Tallulah
0.0.1 - Carolina Corn Snake - Lilith |
Edited by - Simmy_82 on 18/07/2011 13:00:16 |
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tarotpodge
Hatchling
433 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 13:00:13
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| be warned... it can be a tad addictive lol |
2.0.3 Corns, Creamsicle(Phoenix), Ghost motley(Savanna), 2x carolina(Indiana+Severus), Amel stripe (Frazzle).
0.3.0 Dogs, Shar pei cross, Staff and Dalmation 0.3.0 Cats 2.0.0 Chinchillas 7.11.23 Tropical fish 1.0.0 Iguana |
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Mamma
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
4494 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 13:27:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Simmy_82
Thanks fot the advice. Thats given me the answers i need. So all being well in 2-3 weeks i will no doubt have a new snake
Another question:
Again about feeding, i see some people saying they feed them in a seperate feeder box. How do you get them from the feeder box back into their vivariums with out handling? Is it as simple as tipping them in??
The reptile cleaners i assume you get from the reptile stores?
You can do that. Some people will lift them back into their rubs/vivs though.
Yeah you get the cleaners from the stores xx |
Please feel free to add my photography page on facebook .... or check me out on deviantart :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MaliskaRodgersPhotography/
http://maliskarodgers.deviantart.com/ |
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Simmy_82
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1272 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 13:40:29
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Thanks for those. Couple more questions... you'll all be sick of me soon lol
With regards to the heat mat. is it place in or out side the vivarium? I'll be getting a thermostatic one etc.
Would it be cheaper to buy the starter from the pet store @ £60 or buy each item indvidually?
Keeping the food. At present i only have enough space in my flat for a small fridge with the little freezer inside. Is this suitible to keep mice in? Also what length of time to you allow for the defrosting? and how do you know its defrosted? Obivously it wont feel frozen but its insides may still be etc?
EDIT: Just thought of another question. Is the skin easily irritate. As i have a cat is the snake slidding over cat hair likly to affect it? (cant hoover all the time  ) |
0.1.0 - Cat - Tallulah
0.0.1 - Carolina Corn Snake - Lilith |
Edited by - Simmy_82 on 18/07/2011 13:50:47 |
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tarotpodge
Hatchling
433 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 14:20:53
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If in a faun then either inside or under the viv. Heat mat Inside a wooden viv. Yes, freezer sounds ok. As you will only have one snake, food wont take up much room.
Re frozen food. I usually roll the mouse between my fingers. If it moves freely and smoothly then all defrosted. if you can feel crystals inside, then still frozen. But i always leave food out till it is room temp. So when you feel the skull(last bit to defrost) it shouldnt feel ice cold. |
2.0.3 Corns, Creamsicle(Phoenix), Ghost motley(Savanna), 2x carolina(Indiana+Severus), Amel stripe (Frazzle).
0.3.0 Dogs, Shar pei cross, Staff and Dalmation 0.3.0 Cats 2.0.0 Chinchillas 7.11.23 Tropical fish 1.0.0 Iguana |
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Kehhlyr
ǝʞɐɔ sǝʌoן
United Kingdom
8173 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 14:24:32
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Any sort of freezer is suitable or just buy as you need them, depending on how far your closest supplier is.
Length of time varies for defrosting, I move mine from freezer to a small tub and put in the breadbin or something like that (to avoid nosey cat having a look/taste) for a few hours.
They defrost usually within a couple hours, again that depends on prey size, but if not I defrost and warm up with hot water from the tap.
You can usually feel if they are fully defrosted by gently rolling it between your fingers and you will feel a hard and cold lump if they're not. Alternatively depending on how squeamish you are then you can place the prey item on your upper lip, it's one of the most sensitive parts of the body and can tell temp variations quite well.
The cat hair shouldn't affect or irritate the snakes skin, no. Highly unlikely. (what is a hoover, I am a man.)
The heat mat ideally outside the viv if it's plastic, inside or out if it's glass, inside if it's wood. |
-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
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Mamma
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
4494 Posts |
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Simmy_82
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1272 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 14:38:10
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Thanks for the replies guys. Good to have a nice community i know i can ask questions further down the line!
I too being a man have had to google hoover to find out what it is . |
0.1.0 - Cat - Tallulah
0.0.1 - Carolina Corn Snake - Lilith |
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Kehhlyr
ǝʞɐɔ sǝʌoן
United Kingdom
8173 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 16:36:06
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When I googled 'hoover' it said "a noisy machine that goes around the house picking stuff up"
Now my missus wanders round the house picking stuff up after me, making noises as she goes and constantly whining as well. Now I'm really confused. |
-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
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Sta~ple
qeeun speler
United Kingdom
6129 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 17:07:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Simmy_82
EDIT: Just thought of another question. Is the skin easily irritate. As i have a cat is the snake slidding over cat hair likly to affect it? (cant hoover all the time )
Nope, but it may cause some sneezing. I have one snake that sneeze because of it, but that could be cause he's an old man XD the rest are fine. |
   
A very special super, duper thanks for K :3 |
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ravensgirl
Hatchling
123 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 19:28:35
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Best thing to do for a starter kit rather than spend an unbelievable amount of money on one at a pet shop is buy yourself a RUB (really useful box) I use them for my hatchlings usually a 4ltr or 9ltr depending upon the size of the snake, drill holes in (small enough for no snakes to squeeze through), add your substrate (I use paper towels for hatchlings then move the corns onto aspen bedding once they are bigger) add a couple of hides one on warm side one on cool side, add water dish (this should be changed daily), the heatmat should sit underneath one side of the RUB which should create a gradient of heat (something like a 7w matt should be sufficient enough for a small rub but you would be looking to upgrade once the snake was big enough to go into a viv), ensure you have your thermostat probe on the bottom of the inside of the rub to control the heat and a thermometer beside the thermostat probe (this will give you a better reading of the temp rather than relying on the thermostat)
And thats you really, set your thermostat so that the temp on the hot side is around 31 degrees C during the day and lower it to about 27-29 degrees C at night. The key with housing for young snakes is to give them enough room to be happy but not too much room or they'll feel stressed and may not eat, the rule of the length and width of the tub = the total length of the snake is a good base to follow.
All in all buying the items individually it should cost you about £40 for everything you need to get started. |
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Vixyg
Hatchling
United Kingdom
259 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2011 : 19:55:06
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| I too have a very nosey cat and i have had snakes now for a couple of months and he hasnt even noticed they are in there! He just thinks its a big box to sit on top of. Chilli was even wandering about looking through the glass at Sprout the cat and he just sat there looking at me! As long as the viv cant be knocked off it will be fine. Another thing you might want to ask whoever your buying from is about the snakes shedding, check whether they have had any problems with shedding and how that individual snake behaves while in shed. Some go off their food, others dont, will just help keep your mind at rest if you know what to expect. |
 
0.1.0 miami corn (Chilli)
1.0.0 snow corn (Charlie)
1.0.0 cat (Sprout)
1.0.0 fiance (Matt)
1.0.0 Offspring (Jordan) |
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Simmy_82
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1272 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2011 : 10:02:55
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Couple more questions.
1. Spot Cleaning - I read on a care sheet (one of many i have read), and it said you could use babywipes (fragrance free) for spot cleans. Stating if its safe for babies its safe for reptiles. Is this true, or should i just stick to the reptile cleaning spray mentioned earlier??
2. Holiday - What do you do when you go away etc? Get some one to look after it at my home? Or simply relocate the snake and its vivarium to a friends who can take care of it?? |
0.1.0 - Cat - Tallulah
0.0.1 - Carolina Corn Snake - Lilith |
Edited by - Simmy_82 on 21/07/2011 10:40:13 |
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Aegis
Hatchling
United Kingdom
282 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2011 : 10:32:12
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| This thread has really helped me by the way so thanks :) x |
4.0.0 Kids (Hugh, Seamus, Athrun + JD)
1.0.0 Gingy cat (Fintan Stack)
0.1.0 Snow Corn (Karuza)
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Simmy_82
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1272 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2011 : 10:38:20
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| No problem. I just keep getting random thoughts into my head lol |
0.1.0 - Cat - Tallulah
0.0.1 - Carolina Corn Snake - Lilith |
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Aegis
Hatchling
United Kingdom
282 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2011 : 11:01:07
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| Me too but i forget them when i go to ask so will start writting them down! But alot of questions you have asked has covered alot of mine already. Got aspen bedding ordered in bulk (ebay is pretty decent price for 11 litre bag) also cheaper delivery. |
4.0.0 Kids (Hugh, Seamus, Athrun + JD)
1.0.0 Gingy cat (Fintan Stack)
0.1.0 Snow Corn (Karuza)
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Topic |
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A few questions...
