Corn snakes.....
Discussion
Hi. I have a friend interested in getting a corn snake and they wasn't to do it right. So I'm after reputable websites that I csn suggest to them or good info from the ever knowledgeable lot that is PH. 
Starting from scratch please re housing, diet best type of corn snake for a family.
Thank you in advance for any - good - info.
Starting from scratch please re housing, diet best type of corn snake for a family.
Thank you in advance for any - good - info.
Edited by bexVN on Friday 31st August 00:03
Vivarium. Heat mat (underneath the viv so the snake doesn't come into contact with it). Mice are the food, source from a reptile specialist as not all pet shops sell them, you get them at different sizes depending on the size of the snake obviously. Wash hands after handling and handle them frequently.
Hiya that's a good start and most of that I've suggested which is good!, I'm hoping to give them a bit more insider info aswell as I know some heat sources are dangerous, not good enough, can burn (I've seen a snake burnt by a heat pad). So heat rock or heat pad, what's a suitable size vivarium, what materials ie all glass or wood and glass. And is there a list of reputable reptile breeders etc etc!!
Ps I still don't how much I owe you. I'm in wk tom (where the invoice is!)
Ps I still don't how much I owe you. I'm in wk tom (where the invoice is!)
Copied and pasted my reply to another thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
"For a hatchling, a faunarium will be fine. Exoterra make these, go for the large or extra large (with 2 doors) and that will see it through probably up to a year.
Some people also use Really Useful Boxes with airholes drilled. The handles lock tight on them, and they're cheap. I've used RUBs before and they're pretty good, loads of sizes to choose from. Pick a 9 litre for a young snake.
Bare minimum equipment you'll need:
Faunarium/Vivarium/RUB
Heat Mat (Place this under a plastic inclosure, should cover 1/3 of the floor space)
Thermostat (A MUST) to regulate the heat mat. E.g. Habitstat Mat Stat.
2 hides: 1 for the warm end, 1 for the cool end (can be cardboard boxes or fancier fake rocks/logs/things)
Water bowl
Substrate - for a corn i'd suggest either paper towels, newspaper or Aspen bedding. The latter looks nicer but the former is easier to change when your snake poops on it
(Corns won't need lighting)
You'll also need:
Frozen Mice - for a hatchling snake, choose 'pinkies'.
Feeding tongs - unless you like handling frozen mice (and increasing your chances of being bitten by the snake)
Things to fill the viv/faun/RUB - e.g. sections of plastic pipe, fake plants, rough pieces of rock/stone (assists with shedding their skin)
Definitely suggest finding a decent reptile shop and having a chat with them.
Also suggest popping over here and having a read of care sheets, chatting to people etc: www.reptileforums.co.uk
I have a Corn Snake and a Royal Python, they're both very easy to keep and fascinating pets "
Please don't use heat rocks as these can and do burn snakes. A heat mat used with a reptile thermostat will be fine.
"For a hatchling, a faunarium will be fine. Exoterra make these, go for the large or extra large (with 2 doors) and that will see it through probably up to a year.
Some people also use Really Useful Boxes with airholes drilled. The handles lock tight on them, and they're cheap. I've used RUBs before and they're pretty good, loads of sizes to choose from. Pick a 9 litre for a young snake.
Bare minimum equipment you'll need:
Faunarium/Vivarium/RUB
Heat Mat (Place this under a plastic inclosure, should cover 1/3 of the floor space)
Thermostat (A MUST) to regulate the heat mat. E.g. Habitstat Mat Stat.
2 hides: 1 for the warm end, 1 for the cool end (can be cardboard boxes or fancier fake rocks/logs/things)
Water bowl
Substrate - for a corn i'd suggest either paper towels, newspaper or Aspen bedding. The latter looks nicer but the former is easier to change when your snake poops on it
(Corns won't need lighting)
You'll also need:
Frozen Mice - for a hatchling snake, choose 'pinkies'.
Feeding tongs - unless you like handling frozen mice (and increasing your chances of being bitten by the snake)
Things to fill the viv/faun/RUB - e.g. sections of plastic pipe, fake plants, rough pieces of rock/stone (assists with shedding their skin)
Definitely suggest finding a decent reptile shop and having a chat with them.
Also suggest popping over here and having a read of care sheets, chatting to people etc: www.reptileforums.co.uk
I have a Corn Snake and a Royal Python, they're both very easy to keep and fascinating pets "
Please don't use heat rocks as these can and do burn snakes. A heat mat used with a reptile thermostat will be fine.
If buying a hatchling they'll be eating pinkies, then fluffs, then mice. Easily kept in supply in a tub in the freezer, defrosted thoroughly before feeding. Make sure the snake bought is feeding well.
Corns are easy to keep, good first snakes, nice natured and therefore easy to handle.
But be aware they are renowned for escaping. Mine escaped on several ocassions. One once shimmied up the curtains and managed to get in a hole and behind my coving!! I could hear it moving round the top of the room. The other I found curled up under a cushion.
There was a thread on PH a while back where someone's had gone missing (years before I think) and had been spotted on the rockery in the garden. They can survive without food for sometime, though I'd imagine this one must've been hunting for itself.
I've seen vivs recently that are opened from the top. I don't like these as I think it scares the snake when you approach it from above. Front sliding door vivs are far more suitable.
Loads of care sheets about, this looks like a good one
http://www.cornsnake.co.uk/corn-snake-care-sheet.p...
Corns are easy to keep, good first snakes, nice natured and therefore easy to handle.
But be aware they are renowned for escaping. Mine escaped on several ocassions. One once shimmied up the curtains and managed to get in a hole and behind my coving!! I could hear it moving round the top of the room. The other I found curled up under a cushion.
There was a thread on PH a while back where someone's had gone missing (years before I think) and had been spotted on the rockery in the garden. They can survive without food for sometime, though I'd imagine this one must've been hunting for itself.
I've seen vivs recently that are opened from the top. I don't like these as I think it scares the snake when you approach it from above. Front sliding door vivs are far more suitable.
Loads of care sheets about, this looks like a good one
http://www.cornsnake.co.uk/corn-snake-care-sheet.p...
Jasandjules said:
Vivarium. Heat mat (underneath the viv so the snake doesn't come into contact with it). Mice are the food, source from a reptile specialist as not all pet shops sell them, you get them at different sizes depending on the size of the snake obviously. Wash hands after handling and handle them frequently.
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