The Corn Snake Forum - just need a few pointers i suppose

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just need a few pointers i suppose

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craig27
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
28 Posts

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

csm

Ailsa
Banned

United Kingdom
804 Posts

Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:13:24

You'll get really good help on here. I'm hoping to get my new corn over next few weeks, going to get my starter kit tomorrow hopefully. Oh and I'm 35 and been wanting a corn for ages and only just getting round to it, am dead excited too lol.

herriotfan that's a really good suggestion - old sock or hankie, am gonna use that when I get my corn.

Craig what's your email? We corn newbi's can maybe help each other with any probs

Dakota ~ Bloodred Corn ~ Amber & Chloe ~ Cats
Mind is changing on snakes I want now lol so am researching these to find out what would be best - Milk Snakes and Dwarf Boa possibly - Crawl Cay, Sonoran, Tarahumara or Vera Cruz and poss a Hoggie, African House and Rat snake. Also Trinket Snakes.

Edited by - Ailsa on 25/03/2011 21:35:34

Kat
Hatchling

United Kingdom
119 Posts

Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:14:10

I'll let some of the more experience people on here talk to you about specifics (only been a corn-mum since September) but just wanted to say hi and welcome. There is an amazing amount of information here

0.0.1 Amel (Omari)
1.1 Leopard Geckos (Tychondrious and Cleopatra)
0.2 Chocolate Labs (Millie and Lucy) 0.1 Weimaraner (Suzi)
1.0 Cat (Thomas)
2.1 Children plus 1.0 squatting nephew
no more Bovines

and 1.0 husband!

Newbie
Yearling

950 Posts

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 :)

1.0.0 Carolina Motley Cornsnake - Vin, 0.1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa - Rio, 0.1.0 IJJ Carpet Python - Luna, 0.1.0 Dwarf Sunfire Reticulated Python - Helia, 1.0.0 Royal Python - Jasper, 0.1.0 Spaniel - Jess; RIP Gypsy - a beautiful girl through and through, 0.1.0 Rabbit - Binky, RIP Indy, Jan 2010 - Aug 2011, and Ace, Jan 2009 - Aug 2011

herriotfan
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
5853 Posts

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!!

Husband....Very Understanding!!! (Phil)
Son & Daughter (Kevin & Carol)
Granddaughter (Eva)
3.4.0 Cornsnakes Amel (Sidney) Caramel Stripe (Sultan) Amber (Cleo) Carolina (Phoebe) Anery Motley Stripe (Penny) Snow (Lily) Caramel (Holmes)
1.2.0 Royal Pythons(Peeps, Pandora & Pepsi)
1.0.0 Hognose (Hudson)
2.1.0 Dogs (Dillon, Alfie, Ellie)
0.1.0 Senegal Parrot (Peanut)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons (Bonnie & Clyde)
1.0.0 Crested Geckos (Echo)
0.2.1 Hermanns Tortoises (Ebbie, Rosie & Twiglet)
0.1.0 Guinea Pig (Dolly-Pipsqueak)
0.1.9 Tarantulas (Poppy, Gypsy, Bumble, Insey Winsey, Sonic, Cookie, Raven, Fudge, Titch & Sox)
??? Foster animals
Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex

craig27
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
28 Posts

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.

csm

herriotfan
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
5853 Posts

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
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
28 Posts

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

csm

craig27
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
28 Posts

Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:30:59

im not even sure if my snake is male or female u know imust enquire :)

csm

herriotfan
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
5853 Posts

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!!

Kehhlyr
ǝʞɐɔ sǝʌoן

United Kingdom
8173 Posts

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.

-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon

craig27
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
28 Posts

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

csm

craig27
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
28 Posts

Posted - 25/03/2011 : 22:03:56

dont be silly your not thick, but yeah i wos reffering to an item of clothing xx :)

csm

Ailsa
Banned

United Kingdom
804 Posts

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
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
28 Posts

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 :)

csm

Ailsa
Banned

United Kingdom
804 Posts

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
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
28 Posts

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

csm

craig27
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
28 Posts

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?

csm

Sta~ple
qeeun speler

United Kingdom
6129 Posts

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.