Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am in the market for my first snake, i have decided on a Corn Snake. I found three beautiful little corns for sale at a local shop, but i have a few questions before i make a purchase.

Is there a size difference between males and females?

The snake i want most seems to have what looks like black pepper flakes along it's body. They did not move, and as i understand mites are red in color. The snakes i am looking at are housed on "Reptile Bark" substrate and the workers say it is small pieces of bark on the snake, but they have a no handling rule for all animals except dogs/cats, so i can't see if it brushes off. Any clues what this is?

anyone have a picture of a corn with mites? i only have been able to find pictures/diagrams of the mites in black and white.

Thanks

Ive heard that line from unreputable petstores before.Let them loose a sale.I wouldnt buy anything i couldnt inspect from a petstore.Mites when full of blood are almost black.Reptile bark is medium to dark red.I have used reptile bark before and never had it cover or stick to a snake.This is not the time to impulse buy.Cruise the classifieds,a reputable breeder will have the time to email,or talk to you about what you want and need.Make sure you make out a list of questions you want answered before you call.Im sure you can find a healthy snake someplace.If you need help finding a breeder email me and i will give you some names of reputable breeders...Paul.

First find out if there are any reptile shows near you. Click on Events at the top of the page. You can handle any prospective purchases there. Any petstore worth doing reptile business with (and there aren't many!), would allow you to handle the snake. You want to get to hold it, also, to see what kind of temperment it has. Duffy

Thanks i was thinking that at the time, they said the policy was put into place when someone was badly biten by a lizard; what kind of lizard they wouldn't say.

On to the next phase besides temperment, eating schedule and wild/captive bred/born what other question may a first time buyer overlook? I have read quite a few websites on care and such but few mention what to look for in a new snake.

Also to reply to others, I found out there is a show tomorrow in Hamburg, which is close enough for me to stop by, but for me payday isn't untill monday. Would breeders at the show accept credit card purchases?

Also any recommendations on what brand(s) thermometers, light bulbs and Heating pad/strip are best?

With food i can get mice/rats from a breeder in my town, is it better to feed fresh kill or should i freeze and thaw them? How hard would it be to switch from fresh kill to frozen/thaw if necessary?

lastly is there a size difference between males and females? and is size compared to others in the clutch have any indication of size of the snake as an adult ?

Thanks to all who replied
Wayne

Some dealers may very well be equipped to deal with credit. But bring what little cash you can spare just before payday...You may be pleasantly surprised by how much FARTHER your dollar goes at the show. If you don't already have a cage, go out and get a decent sized Sterilite or Rubbermaid. Put some air holes in it with a soldering iron (well-ventilated area or outside). You can probably find aspen at Wal*Mart, or you can use newspaper. A small UTH can probably be picked up cheap at the show, or a little pricier at a pet store (which will, of course, take your credit card.
But...by all means...go to the show. It will be fun and informational. Duffy

I had a problem with mites on my Jungle carpet python. They are very little creepy things that move. I use reptile bark and the pieces are big enough that they don't stick to a snakes body.

Also if they won't let you handle it then I wouldn't buy it. A snake should move about your hands and feel firm. If you can't handle it then don't buy it. You may get more then you bargained for...such as a sick snake.

Wait till you can get one from a breeder or if their are any reptile shows/expos in your area then go to one. You will be much more happier in the long run.

Just my thoughts. :0)

I'm sure there are pet stores out there that are very good with snakes. However, I wouldn't buy from a pet store. I got my Corn from a pet store, and I don't think that I will ever do that again. I think that I would get my snake directly from the source: a breeder. Pet stores cannot provide you with enough information about your snake. From hearing stories, I don't think some pet stores even know how to care for their herps. I must agree with everyone else- get one from a breeder!!!!!!!
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***** Brandon *****

0.0.1 White's Tree Frog
1.0 Creamsicle Cornsnake
corn_snake_dude@yahoo.com

But sometimes it's impossible to get them from breeder, especially where i live.

But i do agree, petstore most of time don't know anything about snakes, and how to care for them, and, it's not to be bad but most of time they are also not very good with others kind of animals.... they just sell!!

At the only petstore here where they sell reptiles, snakes are so thin, you can see their bones!!!! Only cornsnake are normal, because they do not stay there for long times. But i've already asked the guy to know how he was feeding his snakes and how often and he told me: every week!!! I can't even imagine!!!! It's impossible!!! It make me very sad to see how people care for their animals sometimes....
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1 female stripped amel
1 female anery
1 male hypoamelanstic

I agree with the others plus it will be cheaper for you.
EP
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Occupants not paying rent:
7 balls
2 corns(normal, candy cane)
1 pueblan milk
1 everglades rat
1 cal. king
1 gray band king
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2 fish
1 rat
5 cats

The Repti-Bark itself won't stick, but it could be dust from it.
Don't think there is a consistent difference between sizes of males and females for corns.
Reptile shows: Some vendors accept credit cards others don't. You will find the price at a show 25-50% less than a pet store, vendors usually allow you to handle the animal, will have tons more variety to choose from, and can usually answer any questions about the animal. Fun to window shop - you may find another species you're interested in. Highly recommend going to a show.