Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After some reading I have two questions that if anyone could clear up that would be great.

1-At what size of the corn snake (not age b/c they grow at different rates depending on a zillion variables) is tail sexing a more reliable methond of sexing snakes. I know not as babies, but when?

2-In Kathy's book she talks about how corns are sensitive to the cycles of light, like most herps. So, I have a juv 3-6 mo old i think amel (please don't get on my case-i did buy from a pet store that honeslty didn't know the morph of my little guy) that is in my bedroom. My husband and I are up at all hours of the day with our schedules and the lights are getting flipped on and off (not the heating light to the corn, it's on a timer). Is this type of light change going to affect the corn that much, or is Kathy talking about having the heating/uv light that is on 10hrs and off 14 hrs for the winter? If this does affect them, do you have any suggestions? I have seen an advertisement for what looks like the tinting you buy for car windows to put around the cage so I can see in and check on him from time to time but it won't affect him as much.
sorry for the long post, but any answers are most welcome
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Jamie

>>After some reading I have two questions that if anyone could clear up that would be great.
>>
>>1-At what size of the corn snake (not age b/c they grow at different rates depending on a zillion variables) is tail sexing a more reliable methond of sexing snakes. I know not as babies, but when?

I personally don't have too much trouble tail sexing any corns or rat snakes. But it is gonna depend on experience.
>>
>>2-In Kathy's book she talks about how corns are sensitive to the cycles of light, like most herps. So, I have a juv 3-6 mo old i think amel (please don't get on my case-i did buy from a pet store that honeslty didn't know the morph of my little guy) that is in my bedroom. My husband and I are up at all hours of the day with our schedules and the lights are getting flipped on and off (not the heating light to the corn, it's on a timer). Is this type of light change going to affect the corn that much, or is Kathy talking about having the heating/uv light that is on 10hrs and off 14 hrs for the winter? If this does affect them, do you have any suggestions? I have seen an advertisement for what looks like the tinting you buy for car windows to put around the cage so I can see in and check on him from time to time but it won't affect him as much.

I wouldn't sweat the room lights too much. I would be sure that any lights on the enclosure itself are off at reasonable hours but the room lights aren't as big a deal if you ask me. IF the room is REALLY bright then you might consider tossing a towel over the front of the tank.
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Sonya

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