| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kath |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 14:22:29
We got our first baby corn last Sat (15/10). We handled him for a bit whilst we set his home up then put him in it. He did a little bit of exploring then went into his hide that is on the colder part of his home.
Since then, we haven't seen him out of his hide. Is this normal because I'm worried about him?!
Also, when he's in one of his hides, is it ok to disturb him or leave him be? (He's due a feed later today).
Many thanks in advance, Kath. |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kath |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 20:13:27
Hello to everyone. Thanks mort13 we've turned heatmat off & our front room is warm so he should be ok. Thermostat is on order so should be here soon.
Never done so much fretting & worrying in me life I don't think!
Can't wait for him to come out of hiding so we can take pics of him & one of you kind people can tell me what morph he is!!
Thanks again for all your kind & prompt advice! Made me feel better..! x |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 19:51:16
Hi and welcome. I'd personally turn the heatmat off and keep the room in which you house the snake in warm till you get it. Once you get the thermostat you could set that up and do the thermometers at the same time. You're only disturbing the snake the one time then. |
| nusnakemum |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 19:42:47
hello |
| gmac |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 19:42:42
hi and welcome |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 19:40:28
heya and welcome  |
| Kath |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 19:37:32
Hi, kdlang, thanks for the advice. We've got Exo-Terra digital thermometers which have the probe & size of his enclosure is 16.3" by 10.4" which is large size.
Would we have to wait for Cornelius to make an appearance before we put the thermometers in or is it ok to do it whilst he's hiding away settling in?
Thanks polarchick, I have just ordered a thermostat, the £19.59 one, thanks.
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| huffy_86 |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 18:01:52
Welcome Kath and I hope Cornelius is settling in well... great name btw!!
I agree with everyone above. When we bought our first corn 6 weeks ago we weren't told anything about thermostats and this was from our local exotic pet shop Ameyzoo which has actually won awards!!
It's amazing how many shops won't offer this advice even when they're very reputable and know what they're talking about!
If Cornelius isn't hungry and looking for food or too hot/cold he has no need to come out of his hide so disturbing him isn't really an issue. Obviously they're more active at night so he may just be sleeping in the day. |
| tordyjo |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 17:52:19
Hi there and welcome, can only agree with the above advice, not having a thermostat could possibly be the reason cornelious prefers the cool end hide as the hot end is well....too hot.
can't wait for some pics |
| polarchick |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 17:42:11
I got mine from Blue Lizard Reptiles - very good service and delivered promptly and well packaged.
Habistat Mat Stat £19.59 plus £4.95 P&P
http://www.bluelizardreptiles.co.uk/reptileheating/thermostats/5027407002494
or they also have the Microclimate Ministat 100 which is slightly cheaper at £17.59 and would also do the job
http://www.bluelizardreptiles.co.uk/reptileheating/thermostats/9632100000027
but there are other online retailers which sell them as well.
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| kdlang |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 17:37:56
Hi Kath. Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your new addition. It is a very exciting but nerve wracking time. Thermostats are essential as they ensure that the heatmat cannot overheat and burn your snake. You need to measure the heat from what will be the hottest part which is the area directly over the mat, under the substrate. It won't neccesarily feel hot to you as the prefered temperature is lower than our body temperature. Infact if you have warm hands it may not even feel warm. What kind of thermometers did you get? They need to be the digital type with a probe as these are the most accurate.
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/habistat-mat-stat-thermostat.html This is the thermostat that you need. Until it arrives you are fine to turn off your heatmat as long as you dont feed your snake and that your room is reasonably warm.
Just another thought. What size enclosure are you using?
This is a great thread to help you get the right set-up so your snake can feel secure and well settled http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9878
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| Leyton |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 17:37:49
Hi there, Welcome to the forum!
My two done exactly the same for the first few days!! |
| Okeetee Mick |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 17:31:46
Hi and welcome, http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/habistat-pulse-proportional-thermostat.html |
| Kath |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 16:39:45
Thanks polarchick, we haven't got a thermostat yet. Is there a website you could recommend getting one from? We have put our hand on the substrate which is in the hide over the heat pad & it didn't feel overly warm. Thanks again. |
| scottishbluebird |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 16:15:47
Hi an welcome |
| polarchick |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 15:17:59
Kath - just to check, have you got a thermostat? (this is different from a thermometer, it switches the heat mat on and off to keep it at a particular temperature). Just asking because shops have a habit of saying they aren't necessary when in fact they are very important to avoid overheating or even burning your snake. If you haven't got one don't panic, but it would be safest to switch your heat mat off until you do get one (you can get them for about 20-25 pounds online or at good pet shops). If you do have one then you can ignore all this!
By the way - Cornelius Corn - that's a great name! |
| Kath |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 15:03:37
Sorry garrie, just re-read your reply & you've answered my question on my snake being in his hide & ok to "disturb" him. Thanks! |
| Kath |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 14:56:30
Hi & thanks for your swift replies & welcomes! You have put my mind at rest as I tend to worry a lot & I was getting very worried!
I'll post some pics of him.... when he eventually emerges!
Your right polarchick, it will be hard waiting seven days!
We went to a proper reptile shop that had had good feedback but I asked him if we needed a thermometer & he said no (but we've bought 2) & also he sold us some fuzzies but as our snake is only about 10wks old, we got him some pinkies from somewhere else because I thought that he was too small to be on fuzzies just yet.
Also, when he has settled in & exploring, when he goes in one of his hides, do we not disturb him then? Thanks & his name is Cornelius.
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| polarchick |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 14:40:46
Hi Kath, welcome to the forum!
The general advice is that it is best to leave new snakes to settle in for 7 days before you feed or handle them or disturb them too much, this is because it is a stressful time for them moving into a new home. My baby corn did a similar thing when we got him, but after a few days he became a bit more active looking round his home. He still seems to prefer the cooler end, although he does move between ends. So it's very normal.
I would suggest that you wait until at least Saturday before you try feeding him - don't worry that he is due a feed today as snakes can go for weeks without a feed without problems (this is true for hatchlings as well as adults). It is very hard waiting the seven days but it is best for the snake as it gives it a chance to settle in with as little stress as possible.
Hope this helps, keep us posted as to how you get on! (and pictures are always welcome!)
Sue |
| garrie |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 14:36:55
Hey Kath, welcome to the forum - i agree with Mamma...sounds perfectly normal to me .
Once your snake has had his settling in period, it is fine to disturb him from one of his hides - some of us might never get to handle our snakes if we didn't "disturb" them to handle them. |
| Mamma |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 14:35:09
hes just settling in. Its perfectly normal. I would leave him be to settle in for a period of 7 days. Missing one feed isnt gonna do any harm. Looking forward to pics and welcome to the forum xx |
