| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| n/a |
Posted - 26/11/2010 : 21:15:27
Hi everyone. I've never had a snake before but i'm really wanting to get one. I just had a few questions :)
1) Are they generally easy to look after (apart from the strict feeding routine)? e.g. Temperatures, etc...?
2) I've heard it's only recommended to handle them for 15 minutes a day (except no handling after feeding and during shedding) and I was just wondering is this actually true? What happens if you handle it for longer (after it's got used to me and it's surroundings)?
3) I know it depends on the individual but how likely are they to bite? The corn snake i'll be getting will be nearly 1 year old. Stupid question aswell, but does the bite hurt? And how would you get the snake off without hurting it if it bit me?
4) Does snake gender make a difference to personality? e.g. Better to have a female?
I'm sure i'll think of more questions but this will do for now :) I just want to make sure i'm well prepared so I can look after it properly.
Thank you in advance,
Stephen... |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| mikerichards |
Posted - 28/11/2010 : 21:03:18
quote:
Originally posted by Stephen Cooke
Sorry about this but another questions! :P
How prone are snakes to getting ill or whatever the term is?
Generally they are not, however, you shouldnt be ignorant of potential problems, nor assume they will never happen
Are Vets bills going to be a regular thing, etc?
Generally not, however, they can be quite expensive, something to bear in mind, you can get reptile pet insurance that covers vets bills
Of course this is bearing in mind that i'm going to look after the snake to the best of my abilities.
Of course
I don't really know what morph. I'm not very good on the morph names but I think i'm wanting a Hypomelanistic (if that's right) or a Amelanistic (if that's also right).
Thank you,
Stephen
Both Hypos and Amels are common, you wont have too much trouble finding one. |
| Tiffany-x |
Posted - 28/11/2010 : 19:33:32
Im by no means an expert but from what I have heard corns are hardy little things and providing you look after them to the best of your ability they arent too likely to get ill. :) Hypo and amel are very similair morphs in appearance I think and very pretty so I can understand why you like those, if you havent already I recommend looking on http://iansvivarium.com/cornsnakemorphs.php , I use that site as my morph bible, I look on there even now at least once a week to determine what morph is my pick of the week! :D And if you are concerned of prices a general rule is the more traits the more pricey it is like to be, so something like an amel being single trait would be far cheaper than a triple trait, because obviously the more traits the harder it is to produce. :)
I hope this helped and didnt confuse you too much! :P
Tiffany-x |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 28/11/2010 : 13:33:17
I personally don't think they are prone to illness, in like the 10 years I've had snakes I have never needed to go to the vets with them although I know I probably will do one day. Depending if you see a regular vet or a specialist will determined the price the consultation fee. |
| n/a |
Posted - 28/11/2010 : 12:56:17
Sorry about this but another questions! :P
How prone are snakes to getting ill or whatever the term is?
Are Vets bills going to be a regular thing, etc?
Of course this is bearing in mind that i'm going to look after the snake to the best of my abilities.
I don't really know what morph. I'm not very good on the morph names but I think i'm wanting a Hypomelanistic (if that's right) or a Amelanistic (if that's also right).
Thank you,
Stephen |
| JackHutchy979 |
Posted - 27/11/2010 : 14:27:22
What morph are you hoping to get? Or will it be a on the day thing the nicest snake. My normal was a on the day a really nice snake to handle and calm but my caramel I wanted one so I saw them and he is very nosey. Loves to explore. |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 27/11/2010 : 13:25:30
You'll find a lot of good information on the caresheet, via our homepage too.
Glad you've decided to get a snake, you won't regret it!!  |
| n/a |
Posted - 27/11/2010 : 12:52:32
Wow. A lot of really good replies :) Thank you all for your information. I actually went to the pet shop today and had a play around with a few snakes. Well... Not a play around but I held a few :) I definitely want to get one and after everything you lot have said i'm 100% getting one soon :) Thank you all. I'll definitely check out that book. I want to do this properly and obviously don't want to harm the snake :)
Thank you,
Stephen |
| mikerichards |
Posted - 27/11/2010 : 12:35:24
yes, that book is well worth a buy, lots of good info in there. |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 27/11/2010 : 08:35:54
Yep,they are extremely easy to look after if you've got the set up right. So easy that theres not many of us that have just got the one!!
I've got a male and and another of unknown gender and they are both lovely gentle snakes.
On how likely it is to get bit. When I picked Falcor up from the breeders she took us on a tour and she must have got out about 40 snakes to show us. Not one of them showed any signs of aggression.
The book eeji recommends is really good too. I got it from Amazon a lot cheaper than it is in the shops. |
| eeji |
Posted - 27/11/2010 : 01:31:33
quote:
1) Are they generally easy to look after (apart from the strict feeding routine)? e.g. Temperatures, etc...?
corns are extremely easy to look after if its done correctly. Theres plenty of information on the forums to help you and if you get stuck with anything there is always someone to help. Another great resource is the cornsnake 'bible', The Comprehensive Manual by Kathy Love - I'll bet most people on here have a copy
quote:
2) I've heard it's only recommended to handle them for 15 minutes a day (except no handling after feeding and during shedding) and I was just wondering is this actually true? What happens if you handle it for longer (after it's got used to me and it's surroundings)?
thats correct. over handling can cause stress mainly due to your hands being too warm for them to remain comfortable
quote:
3) I know it depends on the individual but how likely are they to bite? The corn snake i'll be getting will be nearly 1 year old. Stupid question aswell, but does the bite hurt? And how would you get the snake off without hurting it if it bit me?
its not very likely, and yes it can hurt - its more of a stingy hurt that goes quite quickly but it will be the speed of the strike that gets to you more than the actual bite. most corns don't hold on, but if it doesn't let go running the snakes head under the tap (a gentle flow) is usually enough to make it let go
quote:
4) Does snake gender make a difference to personality? e.g. Better to have a female?
no difference at all
|
| Oh How Original |
Posted - 26/11/2010 : 23:42:35
I tried to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge but I am by no means an expert snake keeper. |
| stotty01 |
Posted - 26/11/2010 : 22:57:44
good point...
im 15 and i have a corn snake and python... |
| JackHutchy979 |
Posted - 26/11/2010 : 22:48:47
Hey well I'm 15 years old and I can look after two fine so you should be grand your questions have already been answered! |
| Oh How Original |
Posted - 26/11/2010 : 22:40:36
1) Yeah they are pretty easy to look after, and not all of them strike feed, that's mainly the likes of Boas and Pythons, corns generally just take it's meal down slowly.
2) The snake will pretty much let you know when it wants to go back inside, I personally have mine out for up to an hour at a time, several times a day, he's absolutely fine with that, others don't like to be out as long, just depends on the one you get on the day of buying it.
3) I haven't been bitten yet myself, but I don't imagine it would hurt, there are certain things you can do if it does decide to keep hold, but chances are it would just strike at you, then release straight away, if not, NEVER just pull it off, you could rip it's fangs out.
Just trickle some water on it's head and it should let go.
4) Generally the only difference is price, usually females are more expensive but depends on the breed/morph.
Happy snake hunting and welcome to the forum! |
| stotty01 |
Posted - 26/11/2010 : 21:55:06
welcome :)
1. they are very easy to look after. change water every day clean out once every month and a half :)
2. yeah i take mine out for around 10-20mins :)
3. yeah they all have diffrent personalitys bite shouldnt hurt to much from somthing that small :)
4. no diffrence in my opinion |
