Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Before I owned a bearded dragon and leopard gecko. They were both excellent and healthy pets. Sadly I had to sell them when I moved. Anyways I am interested in getting a corn snake now. I heard they are fairly easy and docile snakes. We travel often for about a week at a time. Would they be ok if everything was on timers and put with lots of water. Any tips on how to do the water situation? Also when should I get one? Wait until end of may and get a hatchling or get one from last year. Thanks for any advice. Could you let me know of some good breeders also? I dont want a real fancy and exspensive one.

Matt

i just hate to hear folks get rid of pets because they move.

corn snakes are great for beginners and don't require as much attention as the bearded dragon and gecko you mentioned. they are real docile and adjust well to handling. be sure a corn snake is what you really want. do your homework before getting one.

i got my first corn at a pet store then my others from breeders at reptile shows. (i have 5 snakes, 3 of them corns) if you look up the 'events' schedule here on kingsnake you may find a show in your area. that way you can look at different corns and other reptiles. most vendors have resonable prices too.

an older snake, say at least 6 months, would fair better at being left alone vs a hatchling. i've left my snakes alone for a few days and they were ok. i just put 2 water bowls in each tank and made sure the lights and timers were set right. i even did a 'trial run' by getting every thing set right and left them alone for a week to see how they did while i was still there. but if you can have someone come by to check them would be even better.

there is no set time on when to get one. it's when ever you think your ready. but like i mentioned do your homework first and you will be happier in the long run. just my 2 cents. enjoy you new addition when you get it.

I really hated to have get rid of my lizards because of the move also. It really sucked. It was a major move though and I felt it would be more stressful for them. I made sure they went to really really good homes. I miss them though. Deffineatly doing my homework. I hate people who buy reptiles without knowing what they are getting into. Anyways anyone know of a good breeder? Think my best bet would be to get a snake from 2004. Is rayreptilia.com any good?

Matt

First off good for you for doing your homework! More ppl should do that before they get themselves in too deep! Secondly welcome to the wonderfull world of corn snakes! A corn is an excellent choice for a first snake. Most likely a lot less maintenance than your lizards too! Your snake should be fine as long as you keep the tank the right temperature and have a good gradient also make sure there is plenty of water and plenty of hides! I try to keep 2 hides on each side of the tank and one in the middle. But one on each side and one in middle should be just fine. Also, I don't think it matters too much whether you get a hatchling or a yearling. I personally prefer to own it from a hatchling (kind of like having them their WHOLE life) but that is just me and is purely a sentimental thing. If you are wanting a good corn Don and kathy love are as good as it gets. and are both very reasonably priced. A local pet store should be just fine too if you ae not wanting to have a shipping and handling bill. The url to don's site is http://www.cornsnakes.net/ he usually has his ready around august. Kathy Love's site is http://www.corn-utopia.com/ Best of luck to you and your new snake!

Cheapest don has is 50. Is that about the cheapest I will find? How is lllreptile or prehistoric pets?

Matt

At what size would a corn absolutely need to move out of a 10 gallon. I already have a 10 gallon with heat pad so it would be nice to start with that. Also any places I should totally beware not to get from.

Matt

I have really loved South Mountain Reptiles. They were great to work with & my snake's done really well. You can also look here in the classifieds.
You can keep a young one in a 10 gallon for a year or longer & it will probably actually prefer the smaller space for the first year or so (too much room can make them a bit insecure). Eventually, a 20 long will likely work for its lifetime, unless it grows huge
You are likely to pay $35 & up & if you order on line. Remember the shipping will be around $35 as well, so you're looking at $70 minimum from online. However, you're likely to pay that much at a local petstore, too & you may not get as healthy an animal.
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2.1 Corn snakes Snake Plissken, Jack Skellington & Abby
1.1 Hog Island Boas Harley & Isaboa
0.1 Albino Sonoran Gopher Snake Jasmine
1.3 leos, Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo (Indy)
0.1 Pacman frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 Sulawesi Red Toad Mr. Toad
1.1.3 firebelly newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Olivia Newton John & Thandie Newton
1.1 cats Gus & Mena

if you can go to a show. personally i wouldn't order one through the mail.you can't pick the one you want and you don't know if it will arrive alive. you don't know what you are getting. i got a nice little baby from a show a couple months ago for $35. has a neat pattern on her. i would also recommend kathy love. i bought my ghost from her couple years ago at a show and he is doing great.

the cheapest don has is $20. plus add 35 for s/h and yo have $$55. Which is better than any petstore in my area. I payed $50 for a snow.... But I love her all the same. There are several snakes on don's site that will cost you under 100 with shipping and handling. So I guess the big question is....What do you want?

Sorry if I seem cheap. I know right now it seems like there is not a big selection because lots of snakes are hatching coming up. Anyways I would rather spend overall less on the snake so I could spend more on after care and enhacnements to its habitat. Don and Kathy look like they are good options. Thing is a reptile show is there isnt one real close by. Birmingham but I think I couldnt make it until one until end of june and dont want to wait until than to get a corn snake. I will keep researching and thanks for all your help.

Later,
Matt

How is the new orleans show? Would it be possible for the snake to make a 3.5 hour car ride home from new orleans? Any good corn snake breeders or sellers there?

Matt

The snake will be fine for a 3.5 hour car ride. If they can survive being in deli cups in a box OVERNIGHT for shipping, a 3.5 hpur car ride is nothing.
Just don't leave it in direct sunlight or leave it in the car with the windows up.

Seriously maybe getting a normal that was born in october from Don. Is this probably a good age for me to get? Older than a hatchling which is good. I am getting excited!

Matt

Corns are great, and for me at least snakes are better than lizards. (I'm in the process of getting rid of my Bearded Dragon, just too much trouble). I got my corn from South Mountain, a normal, and paid $20. I forget what the shipping was, but I have been very happy with the purchase.
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0.1 Western Hognose
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1 Common Corn