| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MsThomson |
Posted - 23/04/2011 : 17:42:31
hello all 
As im getting into my research on corn snakes its becoming apparent that getting a young/baby snake can have its issues... such as feeding issues, speed of a baby snake (whoooosh!) and the like.
As the snake I plan to buy is for my soon to be 12 year old child id like for them to be able to get the most out of the experience and also for the snake to be the right age/size for her to handle. Does anyone have some advice on if we would be better to get a baby snake or one which has a proven feeding record etc
also...yous might think im barking, but with say labs for instance...Ive found black labs to be quite nuts compared to the slightly more calm yellow ones... white alsations to be a bit snatchier than traditional ones...is it the same with snakes? do certain colours/morphs have different personality traits?
Feel free to giggle at my questions :) if im being a doofus i can handle the lol's 
thanks! |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ravensgirl |
Posted - 27/04/2011 : 10:01:45
Was going to say a yearling would be your best bet :) good luck with your new addicton. |
| lotabob |
Posted - 26/04/2011 : 23:39:01
Lol, thats it now the addiction starts right here. Its not long from first hold to where can I fit another vivarium. |
| MsThomson |
Posted - 26/04/2011 : 23:30:51
Hi all!
Went to the local pet shop in bathgate today and held a snake for the first time in my life!!
It was a yearling and asides from trying to get into my top it was a lovely experience. It wriggles quite a bit with my daughter and she told me she was scared shed drop it, so she was a bit hesitant. But it was so beautiful! Much warmer and smoother than I thought it would be. Wish I had the funds to get one this week! |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 25/04/2011 : 21:37:46
best advice i can give is go to a reputable reptile specialist shop and handle a few of different sizes and see what she's happiest with
i'd personally go for a yearling as it should be tame, established feeding, showing it's adult colouring (hatchies colours can change a lot!) and of a size that's easily manageable - not too big, not too fast and fiddly/droppable! |
| Ailsa |
Posted - 25/04/2011 : 19:13:34
I got my first corn at 12 weeks old from a reputable reptile shop and I can't fault all the help they gave me and their starter kit included all i needed, I just added extra stuff to make her faun a nice wee home lol |
| lotabob |
Posted - 25/04/2011 : 18:13:22
I look forward to pictures of your new addition when it arrives. Good luck getting all the bits and bobs together. |
| MsThomson |
Posted - 25/04/2011 : 17:33:34
thats been fab advice! thank you all so much :) |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 25/04/2011 : 09:49:53
Yearlings are the best. Not generally as nervous as babies so therefore don't whizz any bad health problems would havbe likely surfced by then. I had my first snake as a yearling when I was 11/12. I have had snakes from when they were born and when they were 9 months old is when I felt more comfatble with them.
As fpor morphs everyone has to have a normal XD |
| Red123 |
Posted - 25/04/2011 : 08:47:11
Our first corn was an adult of 4 1/2 ft purely because I did not feel confident enough to handle a quick hatchling. We have since got 2 hatchlings that are now coming up for 9 months we had them when they were 6 weeks old and they were very quick but do calm down. And I now have another 2 hatchlings so be warned it will not stop at 1! I still feel that I would not have coped with a hatchling as our first snake but now with the experience will always be happy to handle hatchlings. But my youngest, who is 13, is still not happy to handle the smallest of ours as he says they are just too quick and he is afraid he will drop them. For a first snake I would suggest an adult that is used to being handled especially for a child, but hey thats just my opinion. lol
Oh and as for morphs, my amel, normals are very gentle but nosey, the anery is a little timid and the hypo is a nut case! |
| Lucy1012 |
Posted - 25/04/2011 : 08:27:01
I have a very animal confident 7 year old ( i know a fair bit younger) but she struggles with our hatchling a little, i think there is also the added fear that should she let go of it momentarily, they are quick on the off and due to size will be harder to find.. personally i would go for a slightly older grown on snake, as said above something between 1 - 2 years. good luck with your search :-) |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 24/04/2011 : 23:27:13
It is now,he's gone back his owners today!  |
| lotabob |
Posted - 23/04/2011 : 21:31:06
quote:
Originally posted by Mort13
I've 3 different morphs
Shhhhh its 2! |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 23/04/2011 : 20:28:58
I bought Loki for my kids in August last year,my kids were 8 and 10 and Loki was only a couple of months old. It was always me that got him out of the enclosure and although fast to begin with,once he calmed downed I passed him on to the kids. We used to sit on the floor in a circle in case he made a bid for freedom.
He's now grown a lot and is easier to handle for sure,but the kids and I have loved watching him grow and change. To look back at his tiny sheds and the photo's when he wasn't much more than a shoelace is something really special.
I've 3 different morphs and they all have a lovely nature. |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 23/04/2011 : 18:40:07
My first snake was a yearling and he was the 'perfect first snake' for the children in the family.
I've also had hatchlings and although they are very quick it's such a pleasure to watch them grow and develope. The best way for you to decide would be to handle a variety of ages if possible. Most breeders will let you handle one or two snakes before you buy. Reptile shops should be fairly accommodating too because they will want a sale! Good luck. |
| Mamma |
Posted - 23/04/2011 : 18:00:43
My oldest is coming up 9 and she handles my corn fine, my corn is 9 months. Havent tried her on the King yet as shes just settling in xx |
| Invalid User |
Posted - 23/04/2011 : 17:54:06
I have a 12 year old and she handles all the snakes but is more confident with the yearlings and older as they are that bit slower :) |
| lotabob |
Posted - 23/04/2011 : 17:52:48
They do say different morphs cause different characteristics in snakes but nearly all corn snakes are good natured and chilled out snakes regardless of colour.
I like to have my snakes from been as young as possible, there are things to watch when they are small but its a joy to see them grow and develop little personalities. Corn hatchies are FAST but they soon slow down and feeding issues are very rare in corn snakes too. They are super escape artists so whatever you decide to house them in has to be super escape proof. I once caught my 6 month old corn snake escaping through a 6mm air hole. Adult corns are far calmer and easier to handle in the fact that there is more of them to get a hold of but once a hatchie gets to about 9 months they are around 2 feet long. Your best bet is speak to your local reptile shop, ask if they wouldn't mind you coming in and handling a few of the snakes, get a feel for what you like, avoid them selling your a ''starter kit'' they are a waste of money and usually missing half the stuff you need. Ebay etc is a great place to pick up what you need for next to nothing.
There is no such thing as a daft question either so ask away! |
| gmac |
Posted - 23/04/2011 : 17:50:20
both my kids ages 14 and 9 now, handle all our snakes.
The feeding issues for corns is not usually a problem just make sure you have looked at the feeding history of any snake before you decide to get it.
Hatchies are fast yes and can sometimes be bitey, they do grow out of it though. Yearlings may be the best option as they have likely grown out of the speedy and bitey stage and there is a lot of growing still to do. |
| Spreebok |
Posted - 23/04/2011 : 17:47:28
I got my first corn when he was about 26" (6 months, but growth speed varied greatly) and he was very placid, but that is mostly due to him being regularly handled by the breeder! |
