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Callazagy
Yearling
United Kingdom
506 Posts |
 Posted - 23/06/2010 : 22:09:55
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Hi im Chris, me and my sister have just got our first snake today.
We think he's a male and called him Arthas. He is a Carolina, one of his parents is a snow, you can see some of the white colouration on the pics below. He is 2 month old. He has already been exploring this evening, he has spent most of the time climbing up the plant.
I spent quite a bit of time reasearching reptiles and eventually decided on a corn, so ive looked at a number of care sheets and this forum and I think ive got the set-up correct, ive only just read about the recomended 1 week no-handling period so ill stop bugging him now.
anyway to everyones favourite bit the pics-
The set up, luxury accomodation, heated area to the right, 3 hides, and branches and plant to climb up.
I look foward to seeing him grow and handling him some more, I can tell already he won't be the last reptile I get.
We also have a cat (Casper) and a dog (Barney).
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* 2.1 Corn Snakes (Arthas - Normal, Tilion - Anery Lav, Yavanna - Stripe) * 1.1 Cape House Snake (Jenson & Ginetta) * 1.0 Carpet Python (Irian Jaya Jag - Grantly) *
* 1.0 Amazon Tree Boa (Omen) * 1.1.2 Crested Geckos (Brindle, Harley, Noumea & Farino) * 0.0.2 Gargoyle Geckos (Pazuzu & Vesper) *
* 0.0.1 Mexican Red Leg Tarantula (Aragog) * 1.1 Leopard Geckos (Kara & Darwin) * 1.0 Dog (Labrador - Barney) * 1.0 Cat (Casper) *
* 1.0 Western Hognose (Hamilton) * 1.0 Apricot Pueblan Milk Snake (Tweek) * 0.0.2 Common Musk Turtles (Erin & Ira) *
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gregDT
Egg
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - 23/06/2010 : 22:26:23
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| Looks like a very nice home for a beautiful snake. Some might question a big vivarium for a small snake. Little snakes can get stressed by large enclosures. However if he likes to go exploring it seems likely he's not too worried about the size of his new home. |
Greg |
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mozacchio
Sub Adult
Greece
1135 Posts |
Posted - 23/06/2010 : 22:31:43
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Hello and welcome to the forum..!
Very nice snake!
Lovely!  |
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Figs
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3319 Posts |
Posted - 23/06/2010 : 23:00:00
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Hello and welcome 
Congrats on the new snake - he looks lovely! |
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gmac
The Scottish Admin
United Kingdom
5319 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 00:21:20
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| welcome to the forum |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 02:19:10
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Hi Chris, you will hopefully ( ) find that you have joined a great forum with lots of experienced owners happy to give their advice and support. You also get lots of fun and friendship as a bonus . You definitely sound like the type of guy who likes to know what he is getting himself into and I am so glad you settled on corns as you snake of choice - not that we are biased of course  ! Seriously though, you have chosen a great snake to begin your snake-keeping experience....and you may stick with corns once you grow to love them like I do, or you may branch out like a lot of the other forum members, some of whom have royals, kings, beardies etc as well as their corns.
I am so glad you discovered the one-week rule so early on. It is something that you are rarely told about in pet shops  but it really is vital for Arthas to get over the stress of the move and for him to get used to the new smells and his new surroundings. All you need to do is just put your hand in to change the water daily and straighten the substrate, so he can get used to your smell and not be threatened by you. You mustnt worry about Arthas not feeding for that week, corns are a lot hardier than we realise and going for a week without food. It is a hard week, very frustrating (especially as you already know what it is like to hold him), but worth it for the snake's sake.
During your research you will have probably found already that there is a large amount of conflicting information out there about corn keeping – on the internet, in books, etc. Even on here you will find that people have different opinions.....but at least you have a place to ask what you need to know and get the answers from experienced owners. Then you can decide what to do with what you are told.
Unfortunately a lot of us have found that many pet shops cannot be trusted with what they are telling you  . I know that I double check anything I am told on here. On this forum no question is regarded as a silly question....it is much better asked and answered, you will probably find others who want the info too! I am sure you have already found (and made good use of ) the first place to look....the search button in the top right hand corner of the screen. Type in what you are worried about and see if you can find an answer. I know you can get swamped with different topics including what you are searching for, so it is a bit daunting but worth a look. If you cant find the answer you are looking for then dont hesitate to ask!
I am not sure if you have thought of doing this with Arthas, but I keep my own 'Snake Diaries'....noting things like weight, length, feeding dates and what you feed, shedding dates, health problems, when you do full viv cleans. I know it seems a bit over the top but it is actually really helpful keeping track of your snake's health - I even note when Kellog and Silvesta poo  !!
Well done for complying with the unwritten forum rule without even knowing about it - pics as soon as possible! I am so glad you did....Arthas is gorgeous and he has a lovely set-up. Couple of points....as Greg has said, there can sometimes be issues with small snakes in larger enclosures, but as he has been out and about that doesnt seem to be an issue. You will just have to keep an eye out for signs of stress....the main one being not feeding. Also you could just pack his tank out more with plants etc, so he can move around unnoticed if he wants to. I also notice the strip thermometer in the corner of the viv. Is that all you are using to monitor the temperature of the heatmat? Is the heatmat controlled by a stat? To be honest, those strip thermometers and the dial thermometers are virtually useless....and wont measure the temp where you need it - at heatmat level. The best thing to use is a digital thermometer. Finally, Arthas may find it a bit daunting being in a tank that has all glass sides....it is very exposed. You could think about covering the back and 2 sides with aquarium backing paper or something along those lines. Just some suggestions .
He definitely wont be the last rep you get! Corn snakes are addictive and the pics section is the dangerous area of the forum, you see all the other gorgeous morphs out there and just want one! The majority of us have stood up, said "hello my name is ****, I am addicted to corns........! And I am proud of it!" You have just started down that corn path so be warned....and you have so many names to use up from the World of Warcraft !!
xxx
(sorry for the long rambling welcome, you will get used to posts like this from me )
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Edited by - Kellog on 24/06/2010 02:19:46 |
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Sta~ple
qeeun speler
United Kingdom
6129 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 11:27:12
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| What a sweety! Welcome to you both :p |
  
A very special super, duper thanks for K :3 |
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crazy JJ
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2326 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 13:16:20
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| n'awww reli cute welcome to the forum :D |
2.5 corns 2.0 cali kings 1.0 tange hondo milk 1.0 apricot pueblan milk 1.0 royal (overgrown slug) 0.1 tarantula 1.0 chinchilla chico, 0.1 goldfish tigger 0.0.4 minows 0.2 cats fudge and porsha and 0.3.2 tarantula’s that are my mummys
r.i.p to the lil ones that i and mummy have lost recently |
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HannahB
The Corn Snake Moderator
United Kingdom
5491 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 13:28:08
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hey and welcome - hes very sweet,
you'll notice as he grows that the greyish shade will change to become a really nice orange shade
you might want to think about putting some newspaper or something around the outside of his viv covering the two sides and the back wall - just so hes not so exposed |
2.0 Normal Royal Pythons - Q and Little One
1.0 Chihauhaun Mountain Kingsnake - Simba
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Callazagy
Yearling
United Kingdom
506 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 14:01:42
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Thanks for the great welcome, comments and advice.
Kellog-
Thanks for the advice I think there are a few more things I need to do.
I will wait to see if he feeds well before I put anymore stuff in the tank.
As for the heat stuff, yes they are the only thermometers I have and no the mat doesn't have a thermostat, purely because the shop keeper said there was no point, I asked him twice about the thermostat because everywhere I have read mentioned a stat. He said there is no need when the mat only covers a 3rd of the tank or something like that. However I think I will get one, but I dont feel like going back to his shop lol, I might order it off exotic-pets.co.uk.
A question on positioning the heat mat - the heat mat isn't fully under the tank because of where the cable enters, I coudnt really understand the instructions, do i have to but a thin piece of polystyrene between the mat and the tank? the mat is currently in direct contact with the desk and the glass of the tank (just a thin layer of substrate so the heat doesnt build up and damage the glass).
I presume the the digital thermos run on batteries, is it ok for the the device to be in the tank as there is no cable access and do you place the probe directly on the heated surface or at substrate level? The liquid strips show what I would expect 28C at the hot end, but Arthas seems to spend all the time at the cool end.
And for the backing paper will A3 paper do for now? I watched him last night circleing the tank finding his boundaries and trying to climb up the sides.
And yes I am going to keep a snake diarie, ive started by putting his estimated date of birth, and put his current length, I dont think Ill record his poo though.
As for expanding my collection, Ive already started thinking about what to put in Arthas's tank when he gets to big for it , however I have a feeling I wont be able to wait till then.
And yeh so so many World of Warcraft names to chose from
Arthas is currently burried in the substrate in his cave at the cool end. |
* 2.1 Corn Snakes (Arthas - Normal, Tilion - Anery Lav, Yavanna - Stripe) * 1.1 Cape House Snake (Jenson & Ginetta) * 1.0 Carpet Python (Irian Jaya Jag - Grantly) *
* 1.0 Amazon Tree Boa (Omen) * 1.1.2 Crested Geckos (Brindle, Harley, Noumea & Farino) * 0.0.2 Gargoyle Geckos (Pazuzu & Vesper) *
* 0.0.1 Mexican Red Leg Tarantula (Aragog) * 1.1 Leopard Geckos (Kara & Darwin) * 1.0 Dog (Labrador - Barney) * 1.0 Cat (Casper) *
* 1.0 Western Hognose (Hamilton) * 1.0 Apricot Pueblan Milk Snake (Tweek) * 0.0.2 Common Musk Turtles (Erin & Ira) *
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KITTYCAT
Hatchling
United Kingdom
492 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 15:09:12
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| hi welcome to the forum |
1.0.0 carolina corn (herbie)
0.1.0 snow corn (casper)
0.0.1 anery motley corn(diesel)
0.0.1 calafornia banded king snake (ozzy)
0.1.0 royal python (pandora)
0.0.1 boa constrictor (bullet)
1.0.0 weinmaraner (zac)
1.0.0 staffy (zeus)
1.1.0 cats (sophie n pepe)
0.0.1 fish (fish)
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hillzi
The Lost boy.
United Kingdom
3984 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 15:32:55
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Hi mate, looking good.
I don't like glass vivs as IMO/IME I've found out theyr'e utter rubbish at maintaining tempretures...
I would pack the viv out with more greenery, see www.dunelmill.co.uk for some fantastic but cheapy plastic vines and plastic plants.
I dont bother with polystrine.
I'd also type in eBay Digital Aquarium Thermometer for some, even though they cost a few quid each, they are worth it, being more accurate than the strips.
welcome to the forum too.
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Mouse
Yearling
United Kingdom
958 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 17:25:06
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Welcome to the forum!! :D SO CUTE!
(Hillzi, I've found maintaining my wooden one is harder! :D just what you're used to I guess!!! ) |
 
1.0.0 - Gobo - Snow Corn (RIP)
0.1.0 - Sprockett - Normal/hypo/het snow Corn
2.0.0 Anery Hatchlings
0.1.0 Amel Hatchling
0.1.0 Normal Hatchling
*Location - Southampton, UK*
http://www.weneedcake.co.uk |
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Callazagy
Yearling
United Kingdom
506 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 17:37:08
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Ive just bought some more plants, a plastic rock thing, and a dual probe digital thermometer off ebay.
http://www.exotic-pets.co.uk/microclimate-thermostat.html will the Ministat 100w at £17 (the cheapest ive found) be good enough, I have a Algarde 11x11 heat mat (14watt). |
* 2.1 Corn Snakes (Arthas - Normal, Tilion - Anery Lav, Yavanna - Stripe) * 1.1 Cape House Snake (Jenson & Ginetta) * 1.0 Carpet Python (Irian Jaya Jag - Grantly) *
* 1.0 Amazon Tree Boa (Omen) * 1.1.2 Crested Geckos (Brindle, Harley, Noumea & Farino) * 0.0.2 Gargoyle Geckos (Pazuzu & Vesper) *
* 0.0.1 Mexican Red Leg Tarantula (Aragog) * 1.1 Leopard Geckos (Kara & Darwin) * 1.0 Dog (Labrador - Barney) * 1.0 Cat (Casper) *
* 1.0 Western Hognose (Hamilton) * 1.0 Apricot Pueblan Milk Snake (Tweek) * 0.0.2 Common Musk Turtles (Erin & Ira) *
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gmac
The Scottish Admin
United Kingdom
5319 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 17:39:51
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| ministat with the mat is fine. and looks like your mat i big enough to cover at least 1/3 of the base so all good. you may need to faff about with the stat getting the temps correct as the dial on our stat is not 100% accurate, so use your thermometer to set the correct temps. |
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Callazagy
Yearling
United Kingdom
506 Posts |
Posted - 24/06/2010 : 17:45:00
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| Ok, thanks ill order one now |
* 2.1 Corn Snakes (Arthas - Normal, Tilion - Anery Lav, Yavanna - Stripe) * 1.1 Cape House Snake (Jenson & Ginetta) * 1.0 Carpet Python (Irian Jaya Jag - Grantly) *
* 1.0 Amazon Tree Boa (Omen) * 1.1.2 Crested Geckos (Brindle, Harley, Noumea & Farino) * 0.0.2 Gargoyle Geckos (Pazuzu & Vesper) *
* 0.0.1 Mexican Red Leg Tarantula (Aragog) * 1.1 Leopard Geckos (Kara & Darwin) * 1.0 Dog (Labrador - Barney) * 1.0 Cat (Casper) *
* 1.0 Western Hognose (Hamilton) * 1.0 Apricot Pueblan Milk Snake (Tweek) * 0.0.2 Common Musk Turtles (Erin & Ira) *
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2010 : 03:08:09
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Sorry, been missing for a few days Chris but it looks like you have got all the help you needed and are doing what is important to make sure Arthas is looked after properly....which is what we like to see !
I see you have come across the sort of pet shop I mentioned !! Mine was the same about not needing a stat and unfortunately my OH takes everything they say as gospel, but I won in the end....well, actually I went behind his back and just ordered what I needed ....but I knew I was in the right!! And he was just happy that I stopped nagging him about getting one . It is why I always double check everything I am told on here, I dont trust anything they say .
Not long now til that week is up and you can start handling again!! I bet you have been sitting on your hands itching to get him out of his tank !
It really is good having a member who is so receptive to advice and who so obviously cares for their snake....the sad thing is that their are so many poor snakes out there who dont have owners like you.
xxx
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hiper2009
Banned
United Kingdom
2197 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2010 : 11:12:25
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| Hey and welcome to the forum |
0.0.0 Royal Python Het Pied 100% CB10 - Chaos
1.1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa CB10 - Bow/Mayhem
0.1.0 Cornsnake Amel Het Motley CB10 - Fire
1.0.0 Cornsnake Caramel Het Motley CB09 - Whisky
1.0.0 Cornsnake Snow Het Stripe CB07 - Romeo - R.I.P
1.0.0 Super Golden Labrador Dog CB02 - Bailey
Wish List:
1.2.0 Royal Python - Pastel , Pinstripe , Lesser. |
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Callazagy
Yearling
United Kingdom
506 Posts |
Posted - 28/06/2010 : 14:55:30
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| Glad I ordered that stuff, I desperately need that thermostat to come, cos the new digital thermometer read in the high 30's for the hot end, so ive been turning the mat on and off to keep it around 30. Its very hard to leave him alone, especially when I keep thinking he's escaped, he spends most of the time burried deep in the substrate at the cool end. |
* 2.1 Corn Snakes (Arthas - Normal, Tilion - Anery Lav, Yavanna - Stripe) * 1.1 Cape House Snake (Jenson & Ginetta) * 1.0 Carpet Python (Irian Jaya Jag - Grantly) *
* 1.0 Amazon Tree Boa (Omen) * 1.1.2 Crested Geckos (Brindle, Harley, Noumea & Farino) * 0.0.2 Gargoyle Geckos (Pazuzu & Vesper) *
* 0.0.1 Mexican Red Leg Tarantula (Aragog) * 1.1 Leopard Geckos (Kara & Darwin) * 1.0 Dog (Labrador - Barney) * 1.0 Cat (Casper) *
* 1.0 Western Hognose (Hamilton) * 1.0 Apricot Pueblan Milk Snake (Tweek) * 0.0.2 Common Musk Turtles (Erin & Ira) *
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 29/06/2010 : 02:39:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Callazagy
Glad I ordered that stuff, I desperately need that thermostat to come, cos the new digital thermometer read in the high 30's for the hot end, so ive been turning the mat on and off to keep it around 30. Its very hard to leave him alone, especially when I keep thinking he's escaped, he spends most of the time burried deep in the substrate at the cool end.
I am so relieved that you have got the digital thermometer in now Chris and will be even more relieved when you have the stat as well....it really does prove to you how useless (and dangerous ) the advice from some of these pet shops can be. I am just so glad you found us and are getting things right for Arthas.
Ideally you could do with getting the temp to below 30oC....although I realise how difficult it must be for you to be maintaining any sort of constant heat at the moment. 27 - 29oC is really what you are looking for, bang in the middle being perfect. When should your stat arrive?
Welcome to the world of corn snake keeping - the constant horror of them having escaped when you look in their viv and there is no sign of them !! We have had a couple of forum members whose corns have 'escaped', only to be found after a frantic search buried in the substrate or curled up very small in a hole in a piece of wood . Arthas isnt stupid and will be trying to thermoregulate and escape the heat which is why he is spending his time burrowed in the cool end. Clever snake  !
If my workings our are correct you only have a couple more days to wait before you can get on with the real 'corn-keeping' , rather than this frustrating hands-off period! Your time is coming ....
xxx
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Callazagy
Yearling
United Kingdom
506 Posts |
Posted - 29/06/2010 : 12:54:45
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I don't know when my stat is due to come, the status has been awaiting dispatch since friday, I would have been better off trying to get my friend at the pet shop to sell me one, lol.
The hands-off period ends tommorow, so we will get some decent photos, handle him for a bit, and then see if he will eat. |
* 2.1 Corn Snakes (Arthas - Normal, Tilion - Anery Lav, Yavanna - Stripe) * 1.1 Cape House Snake (Jenson & Ginetta) * 1.0 Carpet Python (Irian Jaya Jag - Grantly) *
* 1.0 Amazon Tree Boa (Omen) * 1.1.2 Crested Geckos (Brindle, Harley, Noumea & Farino) * 0.0.2 Gargoyle Geckos (Pazuzu & Vesper) *
* 0.0.1 Mexican Red Leg Tarantula (Aragog) * 1.1 Leopard Geckos (Kara & Darwin) * 1.0 Dog (Labrador - Barney) * 1.0 Cat (Casper) *
* 1.0 Western Hognose (Hamilton) * 1.0 Apricot Pueblan Milk Snake (Tweek) * 0.0.2 Common Musk Turtles (Erin & Ira) *
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Hi,
