| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Hissing |
Posted - 13/02/2013 : 14:41:22
Hi to everyone here. I have just taken to the thought of keeping snakes and have been informed corn snakes are good starters for new keepers. I have read many of the threads here and also done some other research too. I have adopted the learn first before buying or obtaining my first snake so i know what i'm doing before i get it. As a first time owner would having a male + Female from the start be a good thing or is it personal preference. Also feeding, i have read that once a week is normal but would it hurt to feed a corn on day 3 then day 7 thus a twice weekly feeding. I have read about live feeding, i'm not sure about that yet so i have no thoughts on it. I have given thought to building my own enclosure. Having read it would cause stress if it is too big, the size i was thinking of would have been 5' long x 3' wide x 4' high to give the snakes a chance to climb. I was thinking of putting greenery, branches for climbing and hides with a mini pond for bathing drinking etc not forgetting heat source and substrate to make it as real as possible. Also if corns can grow as long as 5' which i take is their top size what would their top weight be. Any comments welcome. |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Hissing |
Posted - 16/02/2013 : 20:42:54
Hi to all that have commented on my post i thank you all for your input and have taken all that has been said on board, i feel now i'm starting to settle into the nest so to speak hahaha. Once i've gained my new pets i'll try and put some pics up of them. |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 16/02/2013 : 09:32:48
A 4ft viv is FAR too small for 2 snakes both over 4ft, they need that size EACH, it should be doubled to house 2 snakes. Also a large mouse plus 2 chicks - how often? If weekly then they are also going to be rather overweight I'd have thought!
I would point you to this thread http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1070 - please read it thoroughly before you take the decision whether to cohab or not, as at least then you can make an informed decision. Personally I wouldn't advise anyone cohab as their first snakes, better to wait until you have more experince with snakes, but that's all I'm saying, don't want Gmac chasing me for discussing cohabbing on another thread lol!! Also, what if they are a male and female? How will you cope if they breed? What if the female got into difficulties when laying? What would you do with the eggs? |
| Oleary1982 |
Posted - 15/02/2013 : 18:47:27
In my opinion thats really cheap which sends alarm bells ringing in my head but saying that it is only my opinion. Theres loads of reasons it could be as to why. See if you can see the snakes before any decision (handing over of money) that way you can check for any issues. Its better to wait and start off with healthy animals than go for what looks a deal but ends up costing more (money and heartache) in the long run. Again these r just opinions of which u will get many to help u with your decision. I wish you the well in starting a rather addictive hobbie |
| Hissing |
Posted - 15/02/2013 : 18:23:34
Thanks for all your advice and comments guys and gals i have spoken to someone who has 2 for sale 1 sunglow and a standard Florida i have been told the sunglow goes off food and fasts for a few weeks is this normal?, sex of both unknown and they cohabit but no problems have occurred as yet. They are both feeding on 1 large mouse and 2 chicks i have been told they're 4'+. They both come with a 4' viv and everything required for £55 including food and feeding boxes is this a good deal or not. |
| rockroyal |
Posted - 15/02/2013 : 12:41:09
welcome to the forum and WELL DONE for researching first. Any help you need NEVER be worried about asking we're all here to help each other :-) |
| harry Cornelius |
Posted - 15/02/2013 : 10:05:12
You seem to know all the basics. So if you keep them clean, watered ,fed and temps right then why wait. They are great snakes and you'll learn more caring for one than reading about caring for one. So go on take the plunge lol |
| Moppet |
Posted - 15/02/2013 : 07:25:32
The main issue with keeping a male and female together is the risk that the female will produce eggs before she is really large enough to cope with the massive stress of it. Generally people suggest females are 300grams and 3ft long as a minimum before breeding. Breeding a smaller female may increase risks such as egg binding and may prove to be fatal.
Some people do cohabit snakes successfully. These snakes are normally of adult aizes and usually same sex. |
| NexivRed |
Posted - 15/02/2013 : 00:37:08
Keeping two snakes together means you won't be able to tell which is re-gurging or defecating abnormally. There are no arguments for keeping snakes together aside from being cheaper for the owner.
Regarding keeping a male and a female together, I believe the male could pester her sexually year round, and also become aggressive at another snake being in his territory.
When snakes breed it really takes it out of them, and if a female who has just laid eggs is caught again by the male without having a chance to recuperate, it could literally finish her off. |
| Hissing |
Posted - 15/02/2013 : 00:26:15
Thanks Serena, i have been doing research on what i need and reading care plans for corns. Why is it asking for trouble keeping a male and female together?, apart from the obvious. Will the female become egg bound or is there a possibility of her being over bred and could die from this. Please don't think i'm being a dumb ass but being new to this i'm learning all i can before i even think about having a corn in my possession. In doing so i shall be able to give my new snake a good home knowing i can care for it properly. Hopefully i'm asking the kind of questions anyone new to keeping snakes would. If not and anyone else can tell me what i need to know that hasn't already been mentioned here please feel free to inform me many thanks to you all. |
| serena_08 |
Posted - 14/02/2013 : 23:27:15
You should rethink housing a male and a female together. There are big debates about it, same sex co-habbing is the usual for those that do, but it is almost asking for trouble having a breeding pair together all year round.
For 1 (adult) corn you will be ideally needing a 3ft vivarium as standard, a heatmat, a thermostat, a thermometer, 2 hides, water bowl, substrate, foliage for cover. 1 large/jumbo mouse every 1-2 weeks.
Younger/smaller need the same only in a smaller viv/rub/tank and a lot more cover. And size appropriate mice every 5-7 days. |
| Hissing |
Posted - 14/02/2013 : 16:33:37
Thanks everyone for your input i shall take on board what has been said and re think the size to build my viv. Harry i have had a look at them JCP's and there are some quite striking colors on them but as i suffer from a degenerative condition i'm thinking of how would i be able to handle the weight of such a snake, hence i have opted for Corns being smaller and more manageable even as adults. |
| Donnie |
Posted - 13/02/2013 : 20:09:36
I'm with Harry, get a carpet for the big viv (not that I am biased ) and also build a smaller viv for a corn  |
| coxymk2 |
Posted - 13/02/2013 : 19:23:11
Hello and welcome that does sound huge for a corn snake viv you could separate it off in sections and have 3 corns in that space |
| NexivRed |
Posted - 13/02/2013 : 17:58:54
Sorry, my answers were to the parts of your post I highlighted in bold so I assumed you were querying those specific things. |
| Hissing |
Posted - 13/02/2013 : 17:56:30
NexivRed thanks for your input most of what you have said i have read already but welcome your advice. As i mentioned i'm doing as much research as i can before i get anything i have time yet so i'm not rushing. Harry i've looked at some of them jungle carpet pythons and they look real nice but i don't think i could handle something that big hahahaha i may think about it in the future though. |
| harry Cornelius |
Posted - 13/02/2013 : 17:20:29
That's one BIG enclosure. Just right for a jungle carpet python lol |
| NexivRed |
Posted - 13/02/2013 : 17:11:15
quote:
Originally posted by Hissing
Hi to everyone here. I have just taken to the thought of keeping snakes and have been informed corn snakes are good starters for new keepers. I have read many of the threads here and also done some other research too. I have adopted the learn first before buying or obtaining my first snake so i know what i'm doing before i get it. As a first time owner would having a male + Female from the start be a good thing or is it personal preference. Also feeding, i have read that once a week is normal but would it hurt to feed a corn on day 3 then day 7 thus a twice weekly feeding. I have read about live feeding, i'm not sure about that yet so i have no thoughts on it. I have given thought to building my own enclosure. Having read it would cause stress if it is too big, the size i was thinking of would have been 5' long x 3' wide x 4' high to give the snakes a chance to climb. I was thinking of putting greenery, branches for climbing and hides with a mini pond for bathing drinking etc not forgetting heat source and substrate to make it as real as possible. Also if corns can grow as long as 5' which i take is their top size what would their top weight be. Any comments welcome.
Hi and welcome. I've not had snakes for long but I can offer a little advice.
You can get whatever sexes you like however they need to be housed separately, especially males and females. Snakes are solitary creatures and come together only to breed.
You should feed size appropriate prey (leaves a bump) every 5 days for babies and every 7 days for adults. If you want to feed something smaller more often then you could, but that means you'll have far less handling time (no handling for 2 days post feeding to allow them to digest), and far more poo to clean up :P
You should not feed live. Only specialist snake handlers who are putting the health of a non feeding snake first should feed live. It's inhumane and a risk to the health and welfare of your snake.
That size enclosure sounds absolutely enormous! I think a lot of people here suggest the two side (call them length and depth) = the length of the snake. So 3' x 2' for a 5' snake.
However, plenty of people keep snakes in snake racks, for as long as they have the essentials they're pretty much satisfied with their enclosures. |
