Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im sure you all just hate newbies but I do have to ask a few things. To start, is a 15 gal big enough for a tiny hatching? Any set up advice would be awesome. Ive been reading up but I have found that people on the kingsnake forums are much better than any book I could read. I have a bearded dragon, a leo gecko and a salamander. I have both the dragon and the leo on wheat bran and have for about a year with no problems. Seems that most people on the dragon forum are doing well with this as we dont trust the sand. Would this be a problem for a corn snake?
Thanks!

I've never encountered anyone on this forum who hates newbies...unless they refuse to listen and learn.

A 15 gallon is plenty big enough for a hatchling. As far as set up goes- you will find some who insist that paper as a substrate is the only way to go so that the snake does not ingest any wood chips etc. I have recently switched my most recently hatchling (only my 3rd so I too am a newbie by most standards) from aspen chips to Zoo Med's Lizard Litter since it is granular, non toxic and digestable - just in case our new little one eats some. In any case, do not use sand, or cedar & pine (they are toxic causing respitory probs.)

Always feed in a separate container outside of the home tank in order to reduce the risk of ingesting any substrate, and also your snake will not associate you opening the cage with feeding.

As far as other set up- use an under tank heater on one side of the tank (NOT a heat rock) and allow the other side to remain cooler. A hide on each side and fresh water. No special lighting is necessary nor humidity. Keep checking this site because its FULL of useful information (and helpful people.)

2 things you'll find out....You can never stop learning, and you can never have enough corns. Enjoy.

MAP