| T O P I C R E V I E W |
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Posted - 24/08/2009 : 11:54:53
Hi Guys
I gave in to temptation and I bought a corn snake yesterday. First snake i have ever kept. I bought it + tank and extras from a local fish/Reptile centre.
I asked about feeding habits and was told they needed to be fed 1 a week and approx 48 hrs after feeding they would regurgitate the bits they didn't eat (usually into the water dish). Looking around the FAQs on this site it seems they will regurtitate only if something is wrong like i picked it up. So what do i need to look out for after I have fed the snake?
Also i was told i should feed him on tuesday and then weekly after that, again the FAQs suggested feeding out of the tank. i assume it's ok to pick the snake up and put him in the tank straight after feeding?
Any advice would be much appreciated
Thanks
Andrew |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 31/08/2009 : 11:28:00
support the snake with your hands, but do not restrict its movement- allow it to slide around your hands and keep moving to keep up with it. keep a wide berth of its head, as they dont like them being touched. if it winds around your hand or wrist, dont panic, but if you need to unwind it, do so gently from the tail end, tho they will let go themselves after a time.
hope this helps! |
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Posted - 31/08/2009 : 11:04:08
cheers, I wanted to check as when i handled him on saturday he was ok for about a minute and then got very stressed, so i immediately put him back.
As i fed him yesterday I will leave him alone for another couple of days and then try again.
I know this may sound a bit of a silly question, but what is the best way for holding a snake?
Andrew |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 31/08/2009 : 09:47:07
Kellog is right! *claps* small corns will be skittish as they have more to fear from us, but with gentle, patient handling they will soon calm down. It can help to put an item of your worn clothing into the viv to get the snake used to your smell. also, when picking up your snake go for when he is curled up in his hide, not out and about in his viv as it can be stressful when they wind around things and resist! |
| Kellog |
Posted - 30/08/2009 : 23:46:48
I am not at all experienced with hatchlings, but I know that when you begin to handle a new snake you do it for very short periods - like 5 minutes at a time - and then slowly build that time up. My adult corn isnt out for more that 30 min (unless I lose track of time)each time he is handled, which is usually around 3 times a week. Dont handle him the day he feeds and for 2 days after the feed. Also dont handle him when he is 'blue' and going into shed, until he has shed. 'Those in the know', am I about right??? xxx |
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Posted - 30/08/2009 : 19:18:14
Hi Guys
Just an update to say got the Thermostat and thermometer on friday and the temps in the viv are now perfect. I fed him today and he took two pinkies without any trouble.
The shop confirmed that he is only 7 weeks old. He is still very skittish and did not like being handled this morning but he soon calmed down when he smelt food. As he is very nervous when i try and pick him up, is it best to leave him for a few weeks or should i still try to get him used to it?
Thanks for all the advice
Andrew
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Posted - 25/08/2009 : 10:39:46
Thank you, i chose him as he was the brightest coloured out of all of the snakes they had.
I have purchased a thermostat which should arrive shortly, will be happier once that is in place
Andrew |
| Flatpack63 |
Posted - 25/08/2009 : 10:17:37
Just going to say, Nice bright snake you've got there. |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 21:57:34
ok sounds good. just make sure that your heat mat isnt cooking your snake! it should feel quite cool to a human, body temp 37c as snakes need a max of 30c. If in doubt, take it out! |
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Posted - 24/08/2009 : 21:40:19
Hi Guys
Just to let you know, i took him out of the tank and sorted out the heat mat. The mat is now underneath the tank and not covering the whole length, so there is now a cool spot in the tank.
I also added a toilet roll tube as a 2nd hide for him. Will be getting the thermostat and thermometer delivered in the next few days so that will be sorted by the weekend
He seems to be enjoying the surroundings, he likes hanging from the lid of the tank and resting on the top of the hide
Andrew
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| devilsmistress |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 19:41:31
Agree with you Sexybear! he is going to be one happy snakey now!! |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 17:53:52
well done andrew, sounds good. you're snake will be glad to have you as owner and be out of that shop! |
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Posted - 24/08/2009 : 13:39:06
OK, will order a thermostat and digital thermometer today to arrive ASAP.
Thanks for all the advice, i have learnt a lot in the last hour
to answer the question about heat mat. Nope did not say about keeping 1/3 cool, however heat mat is smaller than tank. I did read it in the FAQs so when i have set the mat up properly, i will set it up so it's not under the last 1/3 of the tank and add a 2nd hide at that end.
Andrew
Edit: Live in Bexley, S.E London
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| devilsmistress |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 13:31:22
Also where abouts are you? Someone might be able to pop round and help you set up the thermostat if your not to sure. |
| Kazerella |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 13:31:19
Sounds like a good plan 
Don't worry about it not knowing- you've started asking questions early before any harm done which is always the best way.
A thermostat connects to the heat mat by the plug. Don't worry about not being able to connect it as it's dead easy. All it does is cut off the electricity going to the mat when the temperature inside the viv is alright, then turns it back on the temps fall. (This saves you electricity too so good for you as well as your snake). A standard mat stat from either Habistat or microclimate will surffice for your set-up. They are about £17.99- £22.
Like Paulusparky says- a toilet roll tube will do as a second hide for a while. It's important that they have one in the cool end and one in the warm end. (They did tell you to only put the heat mat under a third of the faun didn't they?) |
| devilsmistress |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 13:25:26
Spot on hun x! The type of thermostat you need will ba a mat stat. Also a digital themomitor, so you can get the temp right at the hot end, dont go by the dial on the thermostat. They are easy to set up. The heatmat pluggs into the thermostat, themostat into the mains, probe in the viv warm end, simple!! |
| n/a |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 13:12:40
Ahh ok, the heat mat is in the viv under the substrate. I am going to need some advice on what to do next: I suppose the best thing to do when i get back from work is to:
Take the snake out of viv and into carrying container.
Take the heat mat out and put under tank
add 2nd hide at cool end
buy a thermostat
Would that be best
Andrew |
| n/a |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 13:03:32
Tape was only used on the outside of the tank, . Not being funny but how does a thermostat work? does it connect up with the heat mat? Do i need to get a specific thermostat depending on make/model of heat mat?
Andrew |
| devilsmistress |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 13:02:26
Also the heat mat must be under the viv! Not in it. For plastic and galss its under, wood it goes in. You not a muppet, You have just been given the wrong advice. It's happend to us all at some time or another. As for another hide, A simple toilet roll tube will be fine for a hide, many people use them!! |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 12:44:55
you MUST get a thermostat ASAP!! they are essential for the health and safety of your snake (which is lovely by the way!) unregulated heat mats can cause severe burns to your snake as temps will keep rising. http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/reptile-supplies/reptile-heating-equipment-414/thermostats-555.html this is a good site to purchase equipement from. also do not use tape in the tank as if your snake gets stuck to it it can cause injury and stress.
you will need another hide in the cool end of your set-up to allow your snake to thermoregulate, essential for good health and the digestion of meals. |
| n/a |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 12:34:10
First of all thanks for all the advice. I feel a bit of a muppet, i used to keep tropical fish (many moons ago) and since i felt this shop knew their stuff about fish I could trust them with snakes.
Nope, no thermostat to go with the heat mat, they said only 1 hide was needed. The below pics are the only ones i have but the hide is at the warm end with the water dish at the other (as per petshop instructions)
Also the tank is not compatible with the Heat mat, as in the lid of the tank has no cable holes, so at the moment the heat mat power cable is going out the top corner with lots of sellotape on the outside keeping it down to stop the snake from escaping. The only reason i did not take it back is what do i put the snake in for the meantime. So i will be contacting them to get refund/replacement equipment.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/9XPLJgvPxu5vGKGngtloNw?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/giY1APZ94f9t88cMmmp-LA?feat=directlink
ps Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated |
