Discussion
Not seen any threads here for people with pet snakes, so thought Id start one in the event there are other snake keepers on here.
Im taking my first step into having a snake as a pet, and have reserved a lovely juvenile Carolina corn snake while I get the viv fully suitable.
Should be picking her up tomorrow, and really looking forward to it. Have done all the research but will no doubt still have a lot to learn.
When we saw her in the pet shop one of the assistants was good enough to let us see her properly, and since it had been a few days since her last feed we got to handle her for a short time, and she took it really well.
They also had a ball python which was an amazing looking snake, and one is definitely on the list for the future.
Seems like they are the two most popular types to keep (along with Milk snakes which apparently are very similar to corns), but are there any other types that make good pets?
Im taking my first step into having a snake as a pet, and have reserved a lovely juvenile Carolina corn snake while I get the viv fully suitable.
Should be picking her up tomorrow, and really looking forward to it. Have done all the research but will no doubt still have a lot to learn.
When we saw her in the pet shop one of the assistants was good enough to let us see her properly, and since it had been a few days since her last feed we got to handle her for a short time, and she took it really well.
They also had a ball python which was an amazing looking snake, and one is definitely on the list for the future.
Seems like they are the two most popular types to keep (along with Milk snakes which apparently are very similar to corns), but are there any other types that make good pets?
That's a really nice collection, and those ball pythons are definitely grumpy characters. We looked at one when we looked at the corn, and when the assistant took him out he was mega angry, and was in classic striking pose.
We were able to stroke him eventually but I wasnt going to stress him more by trying to hold him or anything.
Sounds like your mates pythons are worse given they were in a home where they weren't treated with sufficient respect. Very sad that some people think a snake can be treated any which way just because it isnt cute and furry, any animal will become a product of it's environment but hopefully your mate will be able to calm them down eventually.
I did like the way that ball pythons are so different to corns. Corns are always moving whereas the ball wants to literally sit in a ball. Ive read of people being able to just sit with them balled up next to them for ages, without them constantly trying to slither off like a corn will.
One thing I was really impressed with was that my three daughters were all happy to gently handle the corn, no fear of touching or holding at all, really enjoyed the experience. The assistant also showed them the baby mice the snake would eat and they weren't fazed at all, so pretty good in my opinion.
I grew up in Africa and came across snakes all the time, and though suitably respectful and wary (we're talking Mozambique spitting cobra's and mambas mainly) I wasn't ever too nervous of them, so I suppose that must've rubbed off on my kids luckily
We were able to stroke him eventually but I wasnt going to stress him more by trying to hold him or anything.
Sounds like your mates pythons are worse given they were in a home where they weren't treated with sufficient respect. Very sad that some people think a snake can be treated any which way just because it isnt cute and furry, any animal will become a product of it's environment but hopefully your mate will be able to calm them down eventually.
I did like the way that ball pythons are so different to corns. Corns are always moving whereas the ball wants to literally sit in a ball. Ive read of people being able to just sit with them balled up next to them for ages, without them constantly trying to slither off like a corn will.
One thing I was really impressed with was that my three daughters were all happy to gently handle the corn, no fear of touching or holding at all, really enjoyed the experience. The assistant also showed them the baby mice the snake would eat and they weren't fazed at all, so pretty good in my opinion.
I grew up in Africa and came across snakes all the time, and though suitably respectful and wary (we're talking Mozambique spitting cobra's and mambas mainly) I wasn't ever too nervous of them, so I suppose that must've rubbed off on my kids luckily
That was a big thing really, if the kids hadnt been so receptive to the idea I wouldn't have gone ahead, but they loved the little corn snake.
Emporer scorpion is quite something, cool pet to have. There's something about animals and insects that nature gets so right that the design doesnt have to change much for hundreds of millions of years, pretty much perfect from the start.
I'll get some pics up of the corn once we get her home and she's had time to settle in.
Emporer scorpion is quite something, cool pet to have. There's something about animals and insects that nature gets so right that the design doesnt have to change much for hundreds of millions of years, pretty much perfect from the start.
I'll get some pics up of the corn once we get her home and she's had time to settle in.
juan king said:
Meet Vimes, my corn. he's 8 years old now and 5'9" in length. A really placid old boy that loves to be out and about, he's on weaner rats now and has never struck at me once. A valued member of the family. enjoy snake ownership matey
Wow!! 5'9 is a serious size, beautiful looking corn and obviously has a good appetite!!KarlMac, once Ive settled into keeping my first snake I was thinking about a second and maybe a third. A ball python is potentially on the list but would really like some more unusual snakes, are there any you would recommend out of those you've kept in terms of temperament and not being too dangerous to have in the house?
My parents have retired in Southern Africa, and there's a pet shop near them that actually sells some seriously "interesting" stuff, like Cape Corals, Gaboon Vipers, Horned Adders, and some more out of the way places that will sell you a Black mamba. Not sure what the fatality rate of these owners is but I cant imagine viv cleaning time is very relaxing.
Thanks for the the advise KarlMac, I will take a good look at King snakes.
carinatauk, some good info there, I have done quite a bit of research and set up what is hopefully a good viv. I am using a heat mat from Habistat, along with one of their thermostats. The mat covers 1/3 of the viv floor, and Ive set the temp to go no higher than 30 degrees C (Habistat Heat Mat, 7 Watt, 6 x 11-inch and Habistat Mat Stat Thermostat 100W).
I have a thermometer on the viv side that is reading a little low at around 24 degrees, but am hoping that over the next day or so the temp reaches a bit higher. If it doesnt should I turn up the mat heat to around 32 or would that be too high?
I also have a hide and water bowl for her, and a 23x15 inch viv which Im hoping she wont find too big, I bought it as a starter kit: Swell Corn Snake Kit - Bronze
I have upgraded the heat mat to the Habistat one as the one supplied in the kit was completely unsuitable, and also added the thermostat which I read is a must. The thermostat probe sits directly on the mat itself which I hope I have understood correctly. This then has 1cm of substrate over it as per the heat mat instructions (substrate as supplied as part of the kit above), with 2 - 3 cm's of substrate over the rest of the viv floor.
I have a lock for the sliding doors and have also put strips of plastic door seals along the sides of the doors to prevent her getting her nose into any gaps.
Im hoping the above will provide a good starter habitat, and will then add perhaps a log and climbing branch (fake not real) at a later date. The snake herself is from Pets at Home, and the chap who showed us her was very knowledgeable and obviously an enthusiast, so Im really hoping she has been properly looked after.
Not sure what prices for juvenile corns are generally but we're paying £40 for her, which is hopefully about right.
carinatauk, some good info there, I have done quite a bit of research and set up what is hopefully a good viv. I am using a heat mat from Habistat, along with one of their thermostats. The mat covers 1/3 of the viv floor, and Ive set the temp to go no higher than 30 degrees C (Habistat Heat Mat, 7 Watt, 6 x 11-inch and Habistat Mat Stat Thermostat 100W).
I have a thermometer on the viv side that is reading a little low at around 24 degrees, but am hoping that over the next day or so the temp reaches a bit higher. If it doesnt should I turn up the mat heat to around 32 or would that be too high?
I also have a hide and water bowl for her, and a 23x15 inch viv which Im hoping she wont find too big, I bought it as a starter kit: Swell Corn Snake Kit - Bronze
I have upgraded the heat mat to the Habistat one as the one supplied in the kit was completely unsuitable, and also added the thermostat which I read is a must. The thermostat probe sits directly on the mat itself which I hope I have understood correctly. This then has 1cm of substrate over it as per the heat mat instructions (substrate as supplied as part of the kit above), with 2 - 3 cm's of substrate over the rest of the viv floor.
I have a lock for the sliding doors and have also put strips of plastic door seals along the sides of the doors to prevent her getting her nose into any gaps.
Im hoping the above will provide a good starter habitat, and will then add perhaps a log and climbing branch (fake not real) at a later date. The snake herself is from Pets at Home, and the chap who showed us her was very knowledgeable and obviously an enthusiast, so Im really hoping she has been properly looked after.
Not sure what prices for juvenile corns are generally but we're paying £40 for her, which is hopefully about right.
Cheers for the further info, the mat stat is lying on the mat itself, with the mat lying on the bottom of the viv and the mat stat lying directly on top of it. The cables are secured with ties, which I made sure have no sharp edges anywhere on them.
Bit worried she may want to climb the cables, they go from the mat/thermostat up to the top of the viv and out there. I have sealed it all so should be fine but not sure if it's safe for her to climb on them, or how I could remove that option given where they need to run.
Ive just ordered an electronic thermometer with a probe, which I will wire next to the thermostat probe to give an accurate reading. I will turn the mat down to about 29C and keep an eye on ambient temps using the thermometer higher up in the cage.
The water bowl is a good one, made for reptiles and would be very difficult to flip, but one thing I realise I havent done is seal the heat mat down, so ordered some aquarium sealant and will do this tomorrow.
Other than that Ive bought some decent kit, will say the set I bought was gravely under spec'd with only the actual Viv being what I would consider very good quality. Means I have doubled up on expense in some ways (thermometer, heat mat, thermostat, lock for the doors, and sealant), but that's my mistake for not going and looking at the actual products, so will spend the extra to make sure she has a great home to live in and the kit I have is decent.
I also have a large bucket for feeding, and also for when cleaning the viv, so will avoid any substrate risk when feeding. Tongs have been purchases as well.
Are there any things with the above that sounds incorrect or not suitable?
Bit worried she may want to climb the cables, they go from the mat/thermostat up to the top of the viv and out there. I have sealed it all so should be fine but not sure if it's safe for her to climb on them, or how I could remove that option given where they need to run.
Ive just ordered an electronic thermometer with a probe, which I will wire next to the thermostat probe to give an accurate reading. I will turn the mat down to about 29C and keep an eye on ambient temps using the thermometer higher up in the cage.
The water bowl is a good one, made for reptiles and would be very difficult to flip, but one thing I realise I havent done is seal the heat mat down, so ordered some aquarium sealant and will do this tomorrow.
Other than that Ive bought some decent kit, will say the set I bought was gravely under spec'd with only the actual Viv being what I would consider very good quality. Means I have doubled up on expense in some ways (thermometer, heat mat, thermostat, lock for the doors, and sealant), but that's my mistake for not going and looking at the actual products, so will spend the extra to make sure she has a great home to live in and the kit I have is decent.
I also have a large bucket for feeding, and also for when cleaning the viv, so will avoid any substrate risk when feeding. Tongs have been purchases as well.
Are there any things with the above that sounds incorrect or not suitable?
BarryP said:
I currently have somewhere in the region of 40 snakes, been keeping snakes for about 45 years and have had most species that are commonly kept in captivity. Currently working with various subspecies of Green Tree Pythons but also have several large Boas and Pythons including African Rocks, Burmese, Common Boas, Guyana Red tails, Dumerils and also several Colubrid species. I co-authored a book on snake captive care many years ago and was a committee member of the British Herpetological Society for many years.
That's quite something, how do you find the African Rock Python in terms of temperament and ease of keeping? Im not ready for anything like that yet but would be an amazing snake to keep one day.The heat mat does seem to be recommended for corns due to them requiring ground heat as opposed to "sun" heat.
Either way I have a thermostat keeping it around 29C, and a digital thermometer probe sat on the mat keeping an accurate reading, so it should never get above 30C, and more like 28/29 in normal circumstances.
Picked her up on Thursday afternoon, and she's been fantastic. Obviously very nervous at first and is still working everything out. She has various climbing and crawling bits to explore and seems to enjoy it, but does spend a lot of time in her hide with just her head poking out to keep an eye on things.
She also sits in her water bowl, and in the evenings is very busy, with an ability to climb like Ive never seen before!! Very impressive.
She really is a lovely little snake and the whole family loves having her here.
Either way I have a thermostat keeping it around 29C, and a digital thermometer probe sat on the mat keeping an accurate reading, so it should never get above 30C, and more like 28/29 in normal circumstances.
Picked her up on Thursday afternoon, and she's been fantastic. Obviously very nervous at first and is still working everything out. She has various climbing and crawling bits to explore and seems to enjoy it, but does spend a lot of time in her hide with just her head poking out to keep an eye on things.
She also sits in her water bowl, and in the evenings is very busy, with an ability to climb like Ive never seen before!! Very impressive.
She really is a lovely little snake and the whole family loves having her here.
halfpenny43 said:
Not a snake lover myself - terrified in fact - and don't want to stray from the OP question, but out of curiosity, does anyone here keep venomous snakes ?
Keeping venomous snakes seems a bit silly and unnecessary to me, you are putting yourself at massive risk.Sort of like wanting a cat so getting a lion.
I wonder whether it's a bit of a status thing, like owning a dangerous breed of dog, or just an adrenaline thing. I suppose for some people it's the ability to own an incredible and beautiful snake (like a green mamba, or boomslang, or a cape coral, which are really amazing looking animals IMO), but for me Id rather go see them at a snake park rather than risk life and limb trying to keep one.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 21st March 08:45
dannydrama said:
As previously promised, my mad bunch. Top two are dozy swines but the third is a git. He bit me on the ear and cheek the other night when I was holding him, I leaned closer to him than I know is sensible and was punished accordingly. Won't be making that mistake again!
Awesome snakes there, and how badly did the bites hurt? Even with the baby corn snake Im cautious, no idea what it will be like when she's 5 foot long!!Speed Demon, that is about the longest Ive heard a corn snake getting, does he ever bite? I also read handling can stress them, but apparently regular handling makes them less stressed towards it.
Quick update on Saffire (deliberate 'mis'spelling), she's doing really well and seems to love her Viv. Climbs incredibly well and actually wrapped herself around the little round thermometer I have stuck on the side, silly thing.
We've fed her twice now and she's taken the food well and kept it down with no problems, and we've also handled her regularly and so far all good.
Speed_Demon said:
I'll echo what's said above, careful when they are preparing to shed, they get very much on edge.
Im pretty sure she is due to shed, has a sort of hue to her skin now with a much brighter bit just behind her head, and when we took her out for her feed yesterday she was in a real mood.Would jump when touched and didnt want to be handled, so we did a quick feed (she snapped the mouse and ate it quicker than Ive ever seen her do before) and got her back into her viv so she could relax.
How long does the shedding process generally last?
We always feed outside of the Viv as apparently they can take in some of the substrate when feeding if done in the Viv, which can be lethal.
It is also better to keep the smell of mice out of the Viv so they dont have that around constantly, and more hygienic as we feed in a large plastic tub which is very easy to then give a good clean.
It is also better to keep the smell of mice out of the Viv so they dont have that around constantly, and more hygienic as we feed in a large plastic tub which is very easy to then give a good clean.
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