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deleted
47 Posts |
 Posted - 21/09/2009 : 14:32:04
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Guys my son has been given a cornsnake, she is about 18months old, she came with a glass 'viv', a blue bulb , somewhere to hide, a bulb guard, and water bowl, i have purchased extras like some fauna to hide it, something to climb on and substrate.
i was in the pet store getting her first dinner and the owner asked what kind on viv the snake had, i mentioned glass and she immediatley said glass coffin, please can someone adive me is this the correct home for the snake or do i need to go out after the school run and get a new home ie a wooden viv, what else do i need to buy and after the conversation i had with her i feel like i have not prepared enough for our new family member....please advise |
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devilsmistress
Yearling
United Kingdom
829 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 14:45:27
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The glass viv is fine as long as the heat mat is UNDER it.
Basics you need are,
A thermostat ( a must!!!!!! stop snake getting burnt)
A heatmat is better than a bulb (should cover about half to two thirds of the base)
2 hides one for the warm end one for the cold end. A couple of cheap plant pots with an entrance cut into will do!)
A water dish, a heavyish one so the snake cant tip it over and should be big enough the snake can curl up in it if it wanted to
As for substrate you already have it, but even newspaper would be ok. If the snake is in a glass viv then it might be an idea to cover 3 sides so the snake feels more secure. Again newspaper will do, or you can buy the fancy backings!
Can I ask how big is the viv and the snake?? A generul rule of thumb is langth + depth of the viv should be the maximum size of the snake you have in there. Of course if the snake is alot smaller then you can pack it out with fake plants toulet roll tubes ect.
I hope this info helps you out abit, and ijnore the petshop comment, there is nothing wrong with glass viv's as long as there is plenty of air getting into the viv it will be fine
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Kazerella
The Corn Snake Admin
United Kingdom
3093 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 15:42:01
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I agree with Paulasparky - the main thing about glass vivs is that the snake can feel a bit insecure with bare glass as the walls. Covering 3 sides with a backing will make her feel less scared. Apart from that I don't see the problem, as long as it is heated safely (with a stat) and not in direct sunlight.
The pet shop owner has probably heard a story about a snake being baked in a greenhouse scenario, but a stat and non-direct sunlight should easily avoid this. |
 
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matty18714
The Count of Corniness
United Kingdom
4428 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 16:32:31
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With a bulb, you will need a dimming thermostat. Without that you will cook the snake. If you want to keep using the bulb (as aposed to a heat mat) a red bulb would be better. If you want to change the heating to a heat mat, a mat stat would be better. If it was me I would change to a wooden viv and a heat mat with mat stat.
What temperatures are you keeping the snake at? |
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Remmy
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1188 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 17:44:37
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| Glass vivs are fine. Tynan is in a glass viv and he is ok. I have a rock background covering the back and some exo terra plants on the sides to close it in |
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eeji
The Morph Master
United Kingdom
4335 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 18:42:15
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if you use a heat mat under a glass viv, then you'll need an air gap of about 1/8" (prop the tank up on bits of card, polystyrene, etc) otherwise you'll risk cracking the glass.
Also, you'll need to make sure the lid is VERY secure because they are quite easy to escape from by bigger corns - tie the lid down with some string if you have to, but don't use any kind of sticky tape so the snake can't accidently get caught in it while you're getting it in or out (believe me its possible, i learned the hard way)
Finally, your heat mat needs to be under around 1/3 of the tank to create a good temperature gradient so he can regulate his heat properly.
*edit* as in the above posts, a thermostat is essential |
Forum - Guide to Cornsnake Morphs - Punnett Square Calculator - Breeder Directory
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Edited by - eeji on 21/09/2009 18:43:40 |
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devilsmistress
Yearling
United Kingdom
829 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 18:51:43
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| Oh my little heat mat that im having to use at the moment has to touch the glass. It only heats up where it is touched, So I cant prop my viv up. Gonna get a new mat soon though. what size mat do you use in say a 3 ft by 2 ft viv. I figured as I need a new mat I might as well get the big one save buying another one when I upgrade missy in a year or so's time. Im such a tightwad you see lol |
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n/a
deleted
47 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 21:10:10
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| phew, the temp is great in the viv, the snake is a tiny 18month old, she is a rescue snake and i dont think she was kept in the most ideal of situations, great advice about the covering of the walls,with regards to the bulb we were given the choice of blue or red, my son chose blue...was this the wrong choice. the viv is 24x12x12..is this ok |
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n/a
deleted
47 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 21:13:48
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| I was given a heat mat but was adviced again by the pet shop owner not to get one as they can cause fires, some thing about the plastic disc on the end where the wires go into the mat.... |
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devilsmistress
Yearling
United Kingdom
829 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 21:19:50
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They will only cause a fire if not on a thermostat, it stops them reaching the high temps. I believe 99% of us on here use heat mats and have never had problems with them. A mat really is best for a corn snake. Most pet shops tell lies for some reason. One of my local ones told me I did not need a thermostat at all!
As long as the snake is not over 36 inces long the tank sounds fine. Oh also make sure that lid is tight, they are great escape artists! Tie the lid on if needs be!! |
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HannahB
The Corn Snake Moderator
United Kingdom
5491 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 21:27:27
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heatmats are generally best for corns and thermostats are essential.. if you have one and set it to the right temperatures then there shouldnt be a problem with them 
yeah like paulasparky says make sure that lid is on tight! even bigger snakes can escape!! |
2.0 Normal Royal Pythons - Q and Little One
1.0 Chihauhaun Mountain Kingsnake - Simba
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deleted
47 Posts |
Posted - 21/09/2009 : 22:01:45
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| Rossi the snake is 2ft on length, when she starts getting bigger then i will happily go shopping again, forget M&S is the exotic pet shop for me, i am rather enjoying buying things for her. what thermostae does everyone recommend i have a habistat one is this ok????, i just want t make sure that i do the best for her. Where can i purchase the sticky film for the viv to make it feel more enclosed. |
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Advice needed about 'home' for cornsnake
