Where to start? lol
Corns are from the south-eastern states of N.America. They don't require special UV lighting like a lot of other herps. Basically, an under-tank heater or heat pad under one end of the tank is enough for heat, and regular light cycles help them to know which season it is. You can light the cage, or just use room/window light. (you probably know better, but just in case...don't put the tank in front of a window with direct sun, tanks can get way overheated in the sun. Corns only need temps a little higher than people do( or in my case, the same as people need
)...80-85 on the warm side, 85 may be a bit high even, and around 70-75 on the cool side.
My corns are always burrowing, so an underground hide may be great, but mine also use their above ground hides all the time. Just be sure to give them a couple different choices for hides.
They aren't water snakes, so I don't think it would make much sense to do the tank with a "pond" side, but a water dish that gives them enough room to crawl in and soak if they want to. Some soak, some don't, but they all drink They can swim, like any snake, but I don't think they're really excited about the idea. Plus a water side of the tank may end up being more trouble (cleaning) than what it's worth to your snake.
Most of mine are also ground dwellers, I have two that like to climb a bit, but even they spend most of their time under the substrate. I use CareFresh bedding, it's easy to clean and not near as dull and "sterile" looking as newspaper or paper towels. But I used the paper towels or newspaper till they get to be about 6 months old, or big enough that I know they're growing well and healthy.
Another thing to consider with substrate, is where you'll be feeding him/her. To avoid your snake ingesting substrate with it's meals, you can either feed it in a seperate container (rubbermaid tubs work great for this), or you can do what I do, and put the mouse in a container inside the cage. This way, they eat the mouse in the tub and then crawl out and you can remove the feeding tub. I also just use a paper towel to put the mice on for the snakes who eat on the spot, some tend to drag the mouse around while eating though, so those I feed in a tub. Also Carefresh is supposedly safe if ingested, it's made from recycled newspaper, so it's digestable. I still try to avoid it happening, just in case they're wrong.
I've typed so much now that I don't know if I answered all you questions But if I didn't, ask again
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
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