| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| mart78 |
Posted - 06/09/2012 : 22:03:34
Hello again , I have had Dexter now for 4 days and as explained in my earlier thread fed him on Monday . He woke up after 54 hrs of digestion and then did a poo , great , all going well . The thing is that then went straight into a cool side hide (24 degrees) . I hope this is ok temp , still getting used to non digital thermometer reading and trusting it. The thermometer is stuck on the bottom 1/4 of the viv wall but now worried as I have read that it should be on the substrate for accuracy. Please advise if poss as I am completely new to snake care! Dexter is now in the hide with his face peeping out and no tongue flicking , I presume this means the little lad is sleeping ? I don't want to go into viv to do water change in case I disturb . Will I ever get to see him or will it always be frustrating. Dying to get some photos to share. Any comments will again be great to a worried novice. Thanks .  |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| mart78 |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 13:37:52
Thanks for that.. quote:
Originally posted by Lozzy
quote:
Originally posted by Moppet
The non-digital thermometers aren't really very reliable or trustworthy imho. Plus they measure the temperature where they are stuck and that is normally just air temperature, not the temperature that the snake sits on all the time. You'd be better off getting a digital thermometer. You can buy them quite cheaply if you shop around, I think ebay is sometimes a good place to get one from. The probe sits on the bottom of the viv, just above the heat mat (or on the ground under the heat bulb if that is what you are using). Also, do you have a thermostat to regulate the temperature of your heat source?
It is normal for snakes to spend a large amount of their time hiding. Some snakes are more active and less shy than others but generally they will spend the majority of time in a hide.
I would second getting a digital thermometer they really are much more reliable
|
| mart78 |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 13:36:24
Thanks for that , i will definately get a digital one as it is peace of mind that i have his home just right! and yes i have got a thermostat to control the heat so don't get worrying.
Thanks again , photos will come as soon as i meet him!!!
The non-digital thermometers aren't really very reliable or trustworthy imho. Plus they measure the temperature where they are stuck and that is normally just air temperature, not the temperature that the snake sits on all the time. You'd be better off getting a digital thermometer. You can buy them quite cheaply if you shop around, I think ebay is sometimes a good place to get one from. The probe sits on the bottom of the viv, just above the heat mat (or on the ground under the heat bulb if that is what you are using). Also, do you have a thermostat to regulate the temperature of your heat source?
It is normal for snakes to spend a large amount of their time hiding. Some snakes are more active and less shy than others but generally they will spend the majority of time in a hide.
[/quote] |
| Lozzy |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 11:28:35
quote:
Originally posted by Moppet
The non-digital thermometers aren't really very reliable or trustworthy imho. Plus they measure the temperature where they are stuck and that is normally just air temperature, not the temperature that the snake sits on all the time. You'd be better off getting a digital thermometer. You can buy them quite cheaply if you shop around, I think ebay is sometimes a good place to get one from. The probe sits on the bottom of the viv, just above the heat mat (or on the ground under the heat bulb if that is what you are using). Also, do you have a thermostat to regulate the temperature of your heat source?
It is normal for snakes to spend a large amount of their time hiding. Some snakes are more active and less shy than others but generally they will spend the majority of time in a hide.
I would second getting a digital thermometer they really are much more reliable |
| Moppet |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 07:12:16
The non-digital thermometers aren't really very reliable or trustworthy imho. Plus they measure the temperature where they are stuck and that is normally just air temperature, not the temperature that the snake sits on all the time. You'd be better off getting a digital thermometer. You can buy them quite cheaply if you shop around, I think ebay is sometimes a good place to get one from. The probe sits on the bottom of the viv, just above the heat mat (or on the ground under the heat bulb if that is what you are using). Also, do you have a thermostat to regulate the temperature of your heat source?
It is normal for snakes to spend a large amount of their time hiding. Some snakes are more active and less shy than others but generally they will spend the majority of time in a hide. |
| mart78 |
Posted - 06/09/2012 : 22:51:32
Thanks for the advice , looks like i will just have to be patient.  . I have got plenty of interesting things in the viv for him to explore and i'm sure he is comfortable. Maybe i can sleep tonight knowing this is the norm. Thanks again for the reply.
Hello again , I have had Dexter now for 4 days and as explained in my earlier thread fed him on Monday . He woke up after 54 hrs of digestion and then did a poo , great , all going well . The thing is that then went straight into a cool side hide (24 degrees) . I hope this is ok temp , still getting used to non digital thermometer reading and trusting it. The thermometer is stuck on the bottom 1/4 of the viv wall but now worried as I have read that it should be on the substrate for accuracy. Please advise if poss as I am completely new to snake care! Dexter is now in the hide with his face peeping out and no tongue flicking , I presume this means the little lad is sleeping ? I don't want to go into viv to do water change in case I disturb . Will I ever get to see him or will it always be frustrating. Dying to get some photos to share. Any comments will again be great to a worried novice. Thanks .
[/quote] |
| Mike80 |
Posted - 06/09/2012 : 22:40:07
A few suggestions to make:
Firstly, your new snake really should be left for a week when introducing him to a new vivarium so he has time to settle in and adjust to his surroundings. That means no handling also. It can be frustrating but you don't want to stress him out.
Change the water every day, don't worry about disturbing him. He needs clean, fresh water more than he needs unbroken sleep.
You'll get to see him eventually Corn snakes tend to only come out after dark, and usually only if they're hungry or there's something worth exploring. My corn didn't really come out much until I put a few branches, rocks and vines in the viv, then she was out a few times a week just mooching around checking out her surroundings. It meant more things to clean but it was worth it to have a slightly more active snake. They're kind of agorophobic, so if there's too much open space they get a little nervous and decide to stay indoors.
Lastly, the more he gets used to you the more he will be comfortable with exploring when people are in the room watching. When his first 7 days are up try to handle him regularly so he gets used to the idea of people not being a threat. Obviously don't do this after feeding though, leave him 48 hours to sleep off his meal.
|
|
|
