| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
ratts10
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
20 Posts |
 Posted - 29/03/2011 : 18:25:51
|
Hi,
we have 2, 3 yr corn in the same viv, a male and female. on getting them out today for a feed we noticed that they have cleared the aspen in the hide, the floor is toallt bare. they have never done this before.. does this mean anything or are we just neurotic new parents???
thanks
tracey |
tracey |
|
|
Invalid User
Account Deactivated
United Kingdom
0 Posts |
Posted - 29/03/2011 : 18:43:27
|
Dunno about the aspen, if it was on the war,m side they could be trying to get to the warmth of the heatmat?
Are you planning for babies because a male and female at that age co-habbiting, will breed, if they haven't already! |
 |
|
|
ratts10
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Posted - 29/03/2011 : 19:13:28
|
| not planning but they were together when we bought them and adviced ok and best to keep together. they go everywhere together. Always cudled up together in hide. Should we provide a box for her just in caes do you think?? |
tracey |
|
|
|
ratts10
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Posted - 29/03/2011 : 19:14:35
|
| we havent had them long. we have the two at 3 yrs and 2 that are 6mths- its worse than being a 1st time human mum lol |
tracey |
|
|
|
gingerpony
Queen Bee
United Kingdom
10455 Posts |
Posted - 29/03/2011 : 20:37:08
|
what are your temps and how are you measuring them?
what's your heat source and how are you controlling that?
to me, if you're using a mat, your temps are too cool and they've cleared the aspen to get closer to the heat so i'd crank the thermostat up a notch.
are you experienced enough to cohabit snakes and do you have the equipment spare to split them up in a hurry should the need arise? |
cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos
Location:Leeds/York/Selby area |
|
|
|
lotabob
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
4334 Posts |
Posted - 29/03/2011 : 20:46:27
|
I'd go for the burying down for heat too, my corn shoves his substrate out of the way if he wants to get closer to the mat.
Can't write off the option that its your female digging for somewhere to lay her eggs either, its the right season and they like to bury their eggs.
**mod edit - Sig removed, too big. Please see http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15428 for more info*** |
Edited by - gmac on 29/03/2011 21:43:31 |
|
|
|
ratts10
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 07:45:54
|
hi,
thanks for the advice. Not at all experienced, we are newbie parents lol. youve panicked me now- why the need to seperate in a hurry??? what might happen?? what do we need to watch for??? (we have another tank but were told best to keep them together. they always cuddled up together. (before we had them they had been neglected/ misstreated- they were used to being together)
We were told when we bought them to use a normal house hold bulb as the heat source- its clearly not enough. have checked and temp is low. We do have heat mats just gotta suss how to set them up- do they need covering?? and if so what with??
We have a ceramic heat bulb in the other tank with 2 baby corns. Which is best the bulb or the mat for heat???
Suzi seems very quiet and curled up in the hide a lot. not moving around much when she comes out either. both are eating well ( although yest it took suzi a while to get to it.) both have just shed.
thanks
tracey |
tracey |
|
|
|
ratts10
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 07:48:40
|
me again- sorry to be a pain-
if suzi may be nesting should we provide her with a box just in case??
ta
tracey |
tracey |
|
|
|
Invalid User
Account Deactivated
United Kingdom
0 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 08:10:22
|
quote:
Originally posted by ratts10
hi,
thanks for the advice. Not at all experienced, we are newbie parents lol. youve panicked me now- why the need to seperate in a hurry??? what might happen?? what do we need to watch for??? (we have another tank but were told best to keep them together. they always cuddled up together. (before we had them they had been neglected/ misstreated- they were used to being together)
We were told when we bought them to use a normal house hold bulb as the heat source- its clearly not enough. have checked and temp is low. We do have heat mats just gotta suss how to set them up- do they need covering?? and if so what with??
We have a ceramic heat bulb in the other tank with 2 baby corns. Which is best the bulb or the mat for heat???
Suzi seems very quiet and curled up in the hide a lot. not moving around much when she comes out either. both are eating well ( although yest it took suzi a while to get to it.) both have just shed.
thanks
tracey
Ok, im also quite new to snakes so other will have to add where I miss but so many things in the above worry me!
Firstly, you need to split them up now. If she is gravid having the male around may stress her. She needs to be calm and quiet now, the less stress possible. Snakes don't cuddle up together for company or because they like each other. They are usually in competion for the best/warmest spot which is why they will coil up in the warm hide together.
The bulb you are using, is it guarded? Bulbs get very, very hot and can burn snakes. If you do use a propper bulb for them it will need to be attached to a thermostat to keep the right temps, as does the one in the other corns tanks.
That brings me to the baby corns! Housing adult corns together can have its risks but having 2 babis share a tank is even worse. I would suggest you also split them into different tanks.
Heatmats are most peoples choice when it comes to corns. You just plug them in, again, they must be plugged into a thermostat, and depending on the tank you are using, they go inside the tank with a thin layer of substrate over the top or if using a smaller plastic tank, the mat can go underneath the tank. You will need digital thermometers to monitor the warm end temps which shoul be around 28-30c
Have a read through these topics as they may help but you really need to get them sorted asap. As for the female needing a lay box, I think most people wait for the female to shed (she will shed around a week or so before she lays) then you add the lay box to the tank. Edit, just seen that she has recently shed so eggs could be on the way very soon!! Get the male out and give her a lay box. The last thing you need now is an eggbound snake.
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1070
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9878
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5413
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/corn_snake_care_sheet.htm
Hope this all helps. |
Edited by - Invalid User on 30/03/2011 08:15:59 |
|
|
|
mikerichards
don't say the 'M' word!
United Kingdom
2901 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 13:06:57
|
quote:
Originally posted by Louise32
quote:
Originally posted by ratts10
hi,
thanks for the advice. Not at all experienced, we are newbie parents lol. youve panicked me now- why the need to seperate in a hurry??? what might happen?? what do we need to watch for??? (we have another tank but were told best to keep them together. they always cuddled up together. (before we had them they had been neglected/ misstreated- they were used to being together)
We were told when we bought them to use a normal house hold bulb as the heat source- its clearly not enough. have checked and temp is low. We do have heat mats just gotta suss how to set them up- do they need covering?? and if so what with??
We have a ceramic heat bulb in the other tank with 2 baby corns. Which is best the bulb or the mat for heat???
Suzi seems very quiet and curled up in the hide a lot. not moving around much when she comes out either. both are eating well ( although yest it took suzi a while to get to it.) both have just shed.
thanks
tracey
Ok, im also quite new to snakes so other will have to add where I miss but so many things in the above worry me!
Firstly, you need to split them up now. If she is gravid having the male around may stress her. She needs to be calm and quiet now, the less stress possible. Snakes don't cuddle up together for company or because they like each other. They are usually in competion for the best/warmest spot which is why they will coil up in the warm hide together.
The bulb you are using, is it guarded? Bulbs get very, very hot and can burn snakes. If you do use a propper bulb for them it will need to be attached to a thermostat to keep the right temps, as does the one in the other corns tanks.
That brings me to the baby corns! Housing adult corns together can have its risks but having 2 babis share a tank is even worse. I would suggest you also split them into different tanks.
Heatmats are most peoples choice when it comes to corns. You just plug them in, again, they must be plugged into a thermostat, and depending on the tank you are using, they go inside the tank with a thin layer of substrate over the top or if using a smaller plastic tank, the mat can go underneath the tank. You will need digital thermometers to monitor the warm end temps which shoul be around 28-30c
Have a read through these topics as they may help but you really need to get them sorted asap. As for the female needing a lay box, I think most people wait for the female to shed (she will shed around a week or so before she lays) then you add the lay box to the tank. Edit, just seen that she has recently shed so eggs could be on the way very soon!! Get the male out and give her a lay box. The last thing you need now is an eggbound snake.
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1070
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9878
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5413
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/corn_snake_care_sheet.htm
Hope this all helps.
Exactly that, would be wise to take note of what has been said here, to be honest, if you took advice from someone who neglected their animals then more fool you.
Read the stickies, everything you need to know is there! |
Location : Worthing, West Sussex
|
|
|
|
ratts10
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 13:38:59
|
am really grateful for any advice, thanks. We didnt get them from someone who neglected them. The guy we had them from (a centre that sells reptiles, birds, fish etc.) had them from someone who misstreated them. the chap we had them off has had snakes for 15yrs,he has 3 in one viv and said never had probs, only splits them to feed them. so we took his advice as you would
tracey |
tracey |
|
|
|
Invalid User
Account Deactivated
United Kingdom
0 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 13:56:26
|
Let us know how you get on with them all. Are you going to split the babies up now too?
|
|
|
|
ratts10
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 14:28:15
|
i feel awful that we have let them down now. We wanted to give them a good home after their poor start in life. Thought They seemed happy cuddled up together. Thought we were doing well with them. Both eating well and shedding so thought they were happy. We acted on advice given though. we thought we doing the right thing by them. Sound silly but it wont stress them splitting them will it, when they have been used to being together??
My partner is going to split the top viv for the babies. we have 3 tanks in a cabinet so the bigger ones can have one each. we also have another spare tank, just need to kit it out with lamps n stuff, then babies can have one each as they grow. I'm in a right panic now.... Just get told so many different things by different people don't you.
thanks
tracey |
tracey |
|
|
|
Mort13
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5599 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 14:34:46
|
You haven't let them down,you followed bad advice you were given,thats not your fault.
You've come on here,asked questions and are now following the good advice. Good on you. Sounds like you're well on the way to having happy healthy snakes.  |
      
3.1.0 Corn snakes, 1.0.0 T-Albino Cape House Snake, 0.1.0 Western Hognose,
1.0.0 MBK, 0.1.0 Childrens Python, 1.0.0 Nicaraguan Dwarf Boas
0.0.1 Occelated Skink, 1.0.0 Leopard Gecko, 1.0.3 Tarantulas, 0.0.2 Damon diadema
1.0.0 C0ckatiel,
|
|
|
|
ratts10
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 17:10:48
|
thanks for your kind words(has made me feel a bit better) Help and sharing your experience and knowledge, all advice
much apprciated
tracey |
tracey |
|
|
|
Kat
Hatchling
United Kingdom
119 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 17:34:45
|
Some of the advice and setups sold in shops who you think know what they're talking about is truly dreadful. My snake came from a specialist reptile shop who sold me a 2' viv for a hatchling with no mat, no stat, a stick on thermometer on the wall about 2" up and an unguarded bulb. Omari is now in the viv (I moved him into a faun originally) but is 16" long with a truly ridiculous number of hides, a mat, a stat, two digital thermometers and two LED strips instead of a 60W spot light.
Some of it is just misguided, some of it is just lack of knowledge and some is just that it's always been done that way and never gone wrong before. I don't honestly think it's ever malicious, just unfortunate. |
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! |
|
|
|
Kehhlyr
ǝʞɐɔ sǝʌoן
United Kingdom
8173 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 18:16:45
|
Have a read of this thread as well, the first post is a prime example of the dangers of co-habiting hatchies.
If you can read through a vast amount of the idiotic posts on that thread, it's actually a good thread.
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5175
Due to the nature of some peoples posts we never actually managed to get a response from the OP. |
-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon
 |
|
|
|
Newbie
Yearling
950 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 19:41:53
|
quote:
Originally posted by ratts10
i feel awful that we have let them down now. We wanted to give them a good home after their poor start in life. Thought They seemed happy cuddled up together. Thought we were doing well with them. Both eating well and shedding so thought they were happy. We acted on advice given though. we thought we doing the right thing by them. Sound silly but it wont stress them splitting them will it, when they have been used to being together??
My partner is going to split the top viv for the babies. we have 3 tanks in a cabinet so the bigger ones can have one each. we also have another spare tank, just need to kit it out with lamps n stuff, then babies can have one each as they grow. I'm in a right panic now.... Just get told so many different things by different people don't you.
thanks
tracey
Don't beat yourself up, you're acting to put things right now! The pet shop I got my 1st snake from told me not to have his heat mat on during the day as it wasn't necessary and room temp would be ok. I know now that it was stupid advice, but at the time I took advice from someone who owned snakes and seemed knowledgeable. |
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 |
|
|
|
ratts10
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 21:46:32
|
its all so confusing........and stressful. everyone has different views on so many aspects of caring for corns, its just mind blowing. Its harder than being a human 1st time mum
thanks
tracey |
tracey |
|
|
|
Invalid User
Account Deactivated
United Kingdom
0 Posts |
Posted - 31/03/2011 : 08:06:41
|
You have to do what you think is best for your snakes.
The only place I see any real confliction of views is with the cohabiting. Some people will read all the info and make the choice to cohabit their snakes, others, like me will read the info, decide that their are risks involved and decide never to do it.
The good thing is you have lots of advice now and you can do what you feel is best for your snakes. |
Edited by - Invalid User on 31/03/2011 08:07:24 |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
advice/ suggestions please
