Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all! I have been doing a lot of reading the past few days about corn snakes and I am really excited!! Anyways, what I need to know is,

1.> A starting cage/habitat for a young snake and how quickly will I need to upgrade the cage?
2.> I'm wanting to use black sand as substrate. Will this be a problem?
3.> I'm gonna use heating pads as a heat source. Will 1 suffice or will I need 2 or more on thermostats?
4.> I will get a light for the cage. Will a normal light be ok or do I need to use a special night lamp?
5.> I know juvi's will eat pinkie mice. How do thawed pinkies work? Will they need to be heated or what?
6.> Any good books/sites about these guys?
7.> I have seen the various colors and I would like to have as much red as possible. Any breeders that provide this?

I think this is all for now. I'll more when I feel the need.

Thanks a bunch!!

Hi,
A corn is a cool snake to start off with. I'll try to answer some of your questions, but I am by no means an expert, so double check my responses. First I would get some care sheets and read them really well. Look at several. They will probably all have the same basic info, Some of it might vary slightly.

#1 Cage-- I have two baby corns in a ten gallon tank that has been split into two Seperate places(don't try to house two or more together). I keep a small UTH (Under Tank Heater) in the middle of the tank to heat the tank. So it's warm in the middle and have the cooler sides on the end of the tank. I also have two slightly larger corns in a 20gal long tank. Again, they are seperated with a UTH in the middle. When they get larger, I'll put them into their own 20gal long tank. Not exactly sure what size tank a full grown will need.

# 3 heating-- Most times an Under Tank Heater will be a good source of heat for the snakes. They will get heat on their belly that will help them to digest their meals. Get a heat source first.(UTH or flex tape [which is a flexable heat source that can also be used]) You can get by with a rheostate(sp?), but a good thermostate is by far much better. Get these, the tank and bedding First. Get everything set up and check your temperatures to make sure it all works. Also get a digital thermomitor($8?), not one of those stick on types. When it is at the right temps consistantly, then get your snake.

#4 Light--From what I understand, nothing secial is needed for corns. Just something that won't get really hot so that it doesn't heat up the tank.

#5 F/T pinkies-- Get them the correct size. Thaw them out and then warm them up in some very warm water Make sure that the pinkie is fully thawed out and warm before you give it to the snake.

#6 This site is a great source of info. Look at all the threads before yours. It may not be the exact answer you are looking for, but it just might give you a better idea of what to do in certian situations. You might ask questions that have been asked 12 dozen times before. Don't be upset if someone posts a reply to your post like "Do a search" or "This topic has been covered before. Here, read this thread" It may not be answered like that, but then agan it might.

Again, I am not an expert at all. Not like the folks that might reply to your post after me. Do check out some care sheets.
Here are some that I found. None of them are my favorites, just ones that were googled.
Rob
The first three from google:
http://members.aol.com/Kathandcam/Hawkherp/care.html
http://www.kingsnake.com/rockymountain/RMHPages/RMHnewpage11.htm Has a picture of a very red snake (Blood red maybe?)
http://www.[url ban]/corn_snake_care_sheet.htm
http://www.google.com/search?q=corn snake care sheet&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial
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1.1 Bearded dragons
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Creamscicle motley corn
0.1 Creamscicle corn
0.0.2 Normal(?)
0.1 Black Pine
1.1 Bearded Dragon

"1.> A starting cage/habitat for a young snake and how quickly will I need to upgrade the cage?"

I prefer a 10 gallon tank as compared to tupperware or the $10 critter keepers. The snakes I have kept in 10 gallons have fared much better (come to think of it both snakes that were kept in critter keepers died...coincidence?) and were also much more personable in comparison. A 10 gallon will last around a year depending on your snakes individual growth rate.

"2.> I'm wanting to use black sand as substrate. Will this be a problem?"

Yes using black sand will be a problem. The snake can ingest the sand and it can become impacted which can kill your snake. Commonly used substrates are reptibark, newspaper, paper towels, and aspen shavings. Avoid cedar and pine as they emit(sp?) fumes that can be harmfull/fatal to your snake.

"3.> I'm gonna use heating pads as a heat source. Will 1 suffice or will I need 2 or more on thermostats?"

One heat pad (uth) should be fine. I personally do not use a thermostat (yet) with my uth's. I do recomend it however I have had no problems without one. There was one time when the warm side reached 90 degrees but the room temperature was 87 to begin with.

"4.> I will get a light for the cage. Will a normal light be ok or do I need to use a special night lamp?"

You do not "need" a light if you are using a uth. As long as the room they are in has a window they will be fine. If you would still prefer to use a light in addition to your uth then I would recomend a 5 watt bulb. Make sure that the snake can not physically touch the bulb and make sure you turn it off at night so the snake gets propper day/night cycles.

"5.> I know juvi's will eat pinkie mice. How do thawed pinkies work? Will they need to be heated or what?"

Thawed pinkies work just like the name implies. You freeze it (in a ziplock or similar bag) and thaw it when it is time to eat. I prefer to saok the pinkie in warm/hot water. I do not think using a microwave is sanitary. Imagine nuking an uncovered bowl of chili. Now think of what you can't see Be sure that the thawed food is thoroughly warmed. Having a cold center could cause your snake to regurgitate and also drastically lower their core temperature. You can normally tell it is finished by giving it a firm squeeze around the mid section.

"6.> Any good books/sites about these guys?"

There are many great books on cornsnakes. I recommend "The Cornsnake Manual", and "Cornsnakes- The Comprehensive Owners Guide." Both by Bill and Kathy Love. Also "Cornsnakes In Captivity" has been given great reviews (and it isn't even out yet!) That book is by Don Soderberg. There are also many great websites to learn from. Once again I recommend Kathy Love (www.cornutopia.com) and Don Soderberg (www.cornsnakes.net)

"7.> I have seen the various colors and I would like to have as much red as possible. Any breeders that provide this?"

The obvious thing that pops into mind when you say red is an amelanistic corn also known as albino. You may also want to concider an Okeetee corn. Both websites I have refered have quite a few helpfull pictures. If you have any more questions then feel free to ask. We are here to help. Just don't blame us for supporting your addiction.




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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 MO Locale Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

"You can only take my money for so long. And then I don't have anymore, and then I get angry!"

Both Rob and Phiber gave you great replies.

You should make sure that your corn has places to hide - there are many options, including purpose-made plastic hides, but cheap and effective hides can be something like a small cardboard jewelry box with a hole cut in the side or a flowerpot.

Ive used things like cigar boxes, box turtle shells (collected from the woods - not live), conch shells, and toilet paper rolls. Boxes are good because they are disposable and basicly free. If there is room, have multiple choices for your corn - especially in the warm and cool areas.

You really don't need a light. Corns are secretive and too much light can make them uncomfortable. If you do use a light, set it up on a timer. I use one myself. About once a month I adjust the on/off times so that it is roughly the same as local sunrise/sunset.

Finally, get your corn from a reputable dealer - there are many here on the forum. One of the biggest reasons for beginners having trouble with their first snake, is buying from a pet shop. I'm not bashing all pet shops, but there are some unscrupulus and uncaring individuals out there.

Good Luck, and post pics of your corn when you get it!

Regards,

john D.
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

> Is there a problem starting with a 20gal tank? Or maybe put in a divider and keep the snake at 1 side till it gets bigger? I am trying to avoid having to buy multiple aquariums.

> That's to bad about the black sand though. I'm just trying to recreate a natural environment. How about dirt of some sort?? If not, then the recommended substrate will have to do.

Thanks for the feed back!!

Another thing I forgot to ask, what's the growth rate of corn snakes??

Thanks again!

The growth rate of your snake depends on a few things. One of course is genetics, also how much/often you feed it, and I would imagine the amount of exercise it gets would also slightly add to it. I would say an average growth rate for a corn its first year would be between 1'-2'. You could start with a 20 gallon but it is best for the snake to have a smaller cage until it is older. Having big open spaces stresses them out sometimes. Also, you can use dirt if you want but it is quite messy and has things in it you may not want. If you are wanting a nice natural looking substrate then try reptibark. The only down side is that its dusty.
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 MO Locale Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

"You can only take my money for so long. And then I don't have anymore, and then I get angry!"

Just wanted to thank everyone who helped me make my decision. Bought an albino. Has a great looking pattern and seems to be pretty docile. Can't wait for it to get used to its new home. I wish I could take pics, but I don't have a camera. THanks again!!!