Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm about to purchase a corn snake hatchling, about a year old. At the same time, at the same shop (www.reptilecentre.com) I'll be purchasing the following setup:

36x18x18 Vivarium £79.95
11x17 Heatmat £ 16.29
Mat Stat (100wt) £25.60
Guard £ 10.95
60WT Bulb £ 2.50
Thermometer £ 2.95
Substrate £ 2.50
TOTAL £140.74

Now I've been told by a herpetologist that this will be far to big for the snake. And he recommended something like:

Small plastic cage (say a Geoflat 18" x 12" x 6"high)
Spider mat 6" x 11" (go's under just 1/4 of cage and needs no thermostat)
Thermometer
Drinking pot
Hide

For the first 5 years of the snakes life this will be fine.

So now I don't know who to belive!? I've also been told not to use a bulb by the same herpetologist yet the girl in the reptile shop says its a 'necesity'!

Very, very confused! I'd appreciate your feedback and opinions.

Kind regards,
Chris.

Chris,
Listen to the herpetologist.
The larger set up will be good from two years onward. The smaller setup is less nice and should be considered temporary. However, the small plastic cages are always handy and never wasted money.
For an interim cage you can probably find a hand-me-down or build your own. The prices you listed strike me as rediculously high. Who pays 4 dollars for a lightbulb? And, no, you don't "need" the lamp. It can be nice and add heat, but they have their hazards as well, so look into it and make an educated decision. Start small and simple, then build your way up.

When you say temporary, do you mean for the first two years - then upgrade to a larger vivarium?

I just can't help thinking wouldn't it be cruel to keep the snake in a small cage - when I know that as hatchlings they are probably better off in the small cage!