Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well now I think my snow corn snake is almost set, I went out and purchased a 20 gallon long tank equipped with a secure top and Carefresh Pet Bedding - I now have 2 hides, 1 branch and a water dish, I have one more watering dish and another branch from an old igunana I had -but it died so im hesitant to use it, however some guy at the petshop told me if I put them in boiling hot water for 17 minutes I can sterilize them and be able to use them - is this true?
Well back to the other topic, how long should I wait b4 I handle my snake again because I know ur supposed to wait due to the stress factor?
Also with the heating pad technique how do I actually utilize it - do I just place a heating pad that is used for humans under the actual tank like under the glass, or do I insert it into the tank under the bedding?
Anyways hopefully if I can get my lazy sister to let me borrow her digital camera I should have a few pics up within the next few days. All replies are appreciated.

hmm i think your supposed to wait about a week even try to resist peeking in on the snake and let it get used to its new surroundings the heat pad u just place under one end of the tank that is going to be the warm side i think that covers what u asked hope it helps
Chuck

I have one more watering dish and another branch from an old igunana I had -but it died so im hesitant to use it, however some guy at the petshop told me if I put them in boiling hot water for 17 minutes I can sterilize them and be able to use them - is this true?

Boiling works but if you really want to be sure bleach it.
A 1/2 cup bleach to 1gl hot water works best, so my vet told me.

Well back to the other topic, how long should I wait b4 I handle my snake again because I know ur supposed to wait due to the stress factor?

Its best to wait a week or two before feeding and a month before handling. Corn snakes aren't shy compared to other snakes so a month should be good.

Also with the heating pad technique how do I actually utilize it - do I just place a heating pad that is used for humans under the actual tank like under the glass, or do I insert it into the tank under the bedding?

It should work just sticking it under the glass of the tank.

Hope this helps.
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People Who Say Money Can't Buy You Happiness Obviously Didn't Know Where To Buy A Herp

2.0 Corns (CC & Norm: Peppermint & Guttata)
1.0 Ball Python (Norm: Ade)
0.1 Cali Kingsnake (Norm: Lady Macbeth)
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Yellow x Gold: Vito)
0.0.1 Leopard Gecko (Norm: Pardus)
0.0.1 Marbled Gecko (Norm: B.B.)

no, don't use a human heating pad. most of them get too damn hot, even on the low setting. i'm not sure how old your snake is, but mine have never really been affected by 'stress'. i handle them a lot, and take them to a lot of different places to climb and interact with people..maybe that's why. i would say that as soon as you see the snake out and about consistantly, you're fine to handle him again.

the old iquana dish can be sterilized using boiling water or soaking in a 1:10 bleach solution or both.

Should wait a couple days to a week before handling the new snake. I think I waited about three days before I began handling my snake for a few minutes and he didn't seem to be stressed by it. He tried to get away for the first couple seconds but with gentle redirection and restraint he calmed down and just explored my hands, arms and body.

I use a human heating pad on the low setting and haven't noticed any indication of over heating. I did however prop up the corners of the glass tank about 1/8th of an inch to ensure the weight of the tank didn't crush the heating pad. I placed my hand directly on the glass above the pad and felt it was nicely warm but not hot enough to feel hot to the touch. To me, if it doesn't feel hot to me it should be fine for the snake.

Human heating pads are unpredictable, make sure there's a termometer in your cage.