| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:10:03
hi ppl im new on here an im glad ive found this place 2 be honest, im 27 years old and for as long as i can remember i have been fascinated with snakes of all kinds, but just today i have got my first pet snake an albino corn snake about 3 months old so im told and its beautiful, i know ppl must think its taken me a while 2 finally get my first snake but i got there eventually, but one thing that i have been feeling weary about is putting my hand in its cage and handeling it, this might sound a bit stupid but being new 2 this whole snake owner thing is there any1 who can give me an suggestions or pointers on this matter, i would really appreciate any help no matter how big or small, thank u ppl  |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kat |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 23:46:10
My littlest shoelace tagged the guy in the pet shop when I was buying him, tail rattling and all. It was because he was shedding, in fact started shedding about 20 minutes later. Guy said it was like being gummed to death by a toddlers toothbrush Was extremely cute watching this little 16' long shoelace trying to act all tough. Not a rattle out of him since and he's been good as gold. You're in more danger of having a heart attack when you can't find him because he's pretending to be a lighting cable, like mine did on Wednesday evening!
The setup guides on here are really good, just a few things to watch remember really, mostly leading from bad advice that you may get from the pet shop. You need a thermostat, 2 digital thermometers, heat mat and don't use a bulb at all unless it's guarded and statted. If you need light it's easier and cheaper to put in LED strips or LED push-lights. Baby snakes don't need £80 worth of viv, fancy hides etc, they're quite happy if not happier in £10 worth of plastic box sat on a heat mat with stats and thermometer probes, empty toilet rolls make good hides and kitchen roll is a great substrate for little ones, not least because it's (a) easy to see poop so easier to clean and (b) easier to find a hiding burrowing hatchling! Just make sure they have a warm and cool end, have plenty of fresh water and places to hide and you're all set. |
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 23:20:42
the jungle zoo's not actually in louth its in cleethorpes lke 15 16 miles away, its not a massive place but theres a fair selection of animals there aswell as snakes, got some lizards, caimen crocs, sum big ass spiders, a couple of scorpions, there is also alot of parrot's there the birds r the main thing there but its worth a little look if your ever about that way. |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 23:15:29
Ohhh you have nice Chippies there! Did know Louth had a reptile shop! Where abouts is it? I must go and have a gander next time I'm there. |
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 23:10:17
i live in louth in lincolnshire :) |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 22:58:10
Hi Craig, where abouts in Lincolnshire do you live out of intrest? I live in Lincoln so I can tell you were some good shops are if you are about that area.
As Kehhyr said, they can be a bit huff as babies or if they haven't been handled much. You just have to brave it out when they try and act all hard. They normally strike without biting but if you do get bitten by a baby you will probably not notice as you don't feel a thing! You just have to be careful not to jump if they bite as they do move incredibly fast. They can also be quite whizzy and fast while handling when they are young but they do calm down.
You can give a snake normal tap water, it is fine. If it's safe for humans to drink, then its definitely safe for snakes to drink! They get much worse in the wild. |
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 22:52:26
just wandered if any1 can help me again, i heard the other day that you souldnt give your snake normal tap water is this true ? if so wot kind bottled or sumthing? and wot temp? |
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 22:30:55
ive got a few dvds over the years and ive watched them a fair few times but they are mainly about large snakes and venomous species, but ive never got chance 2 see any in real life which i would love to have an opportunaty 2. The nearest i have to any kind of different variety of snakes i can look at is a pet shop or a little jungle zoo 16 miles away. but no venomous snakes though but they guy has a couple of fairly big reticulated pythons and a yellow anaconda. Thats about as much variety as i can get 2 see near me, I wudnt know where 2 go 2 see a wider selection of different snakes. p.s. im sorry i do tend 2 go on a bit so im sorry if i annoy u. Like i said before its nice to be talking to nice ppl xx |
| Ailsa |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 22:19:12
I'm like you though the stuff I know about snakes I've learned from watching documentaries but nothing about keeping them. Since I've been reading on this site and asking questions I have really learned a great deal about caring properly for them and I know I can always ask questions on here that will get good answers. |
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 22:15:50
thanx again Ailsa, every1 seems really nice already and i have only just been on here 4 the first time tonight so its all good, i really did think i knew fair bit about snakes, but nothing about keeping them, there is still oh so much 2 learn still XX :) |
| Ailsa |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 22:06:11
Well Craig I can honestly say I have found this here bunch really good people and they definately 100% know their stuff and I'm always reading the different post to learn as much as I can, even about snake poop - yucky I know but I want to make sure I know as much as possible so I can take good care of my new baby when I get it.
Ace bunch of people these folks are. |
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 22:03:56
dont be silly your not thick, but yeah i wos reffering to an item of clothing xx :) |
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 22:01:22
hi Ailsa, sorry about the delay ive just been reading the care sheet, my email is c.mccue@hotmail.co.uk pls feel free 2 mail me any time and i will reply asap,im hoping i might have found a good new group of friends here, if doesnt sound a bit 2 over the top ? look 4ward 2 hearing from u soon xx |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:52:03
Hi and welcome to the forum.
AS others have said, give it about a week to settle into it's new home, with only daily water changes to get it used to your hand going in and out every so often.
Some people have had success with using a sock/woolly glove that they've worn over their hand for a couple hours then placing that in the tank as a sort of hide as it helps associate a secure feeling place with your 'smell'.
Being as it's still quite young, there is a chance it may not have been handled much and may still have a fair bit of the instinctive nature left in it, if it does it may hiss or tail rattle, possibly even strike at you. That is normal behaviour they do learn to tolerate handling and seemingly enjoy it as well.
If you have any other questions, then just ask. It's what we're here for. Alternatively there is the search bar at the top right, there's a mass of info spanning a good few years on this forum. |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:40:32
I assume you mean 'item' of clothing? If so, just put it in the snakes home with him. You'll probably find he/she hides away to start with so put it in the hide he uses.
If you're referring to something else you'll have to tell me what so I can answer! Sorry for being so thick, it's old age you know!!  |
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:30:59
im not even sure if my snake is male or female u know imust enquire :)
|
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:29:00
so do i get an item and leave it next 2 the tank 4 the snake 2 get used 2 it ? thanx u again lovely ppl XX |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:27:49
quote:
Originally posted by craig27
thank u i really appreciate it, its really nice 2 know how friendly and nice ppl can be, im not used 2 ppl being so nice so im soory if i sound sad or weird.
Not at all sad or weird! We all know some less friendly forums where help is not as forthcoming. |
| craig27 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:25:55
thank u i really appreciate it, its really nice 2 know how friendly and nice ppl can be, im not used 2 ppl being so nice so im soory if i sound sad or weird. |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:18:28
Hi
Welcome to the forum.
We normally recommend a period of 7 days for the snake to settle in before you handle. Just change the water and check for poos.
You could also put an old sock or cotton hankie in your top for the day then pop it the snakes hide. The idea of this being that your smell will become familiar and become associated with a secure place.
Have a look on the homepage at our caresheet, full of great information.
27 isn't at all old for getting your first snake......let you into a little secret, I was in my 50's when I got my first one!! |
| Newbie |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:14:36
I was nervy about handling Vin at first because he was so small! They can be a bit skittish at this age, and its advised to leave your new arrival for 7 days to get used to his new home :) |
