Looking to start on snakes! Advice?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
micstarz

micstarz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 28, 2008
916
0
0
Hong Kong
Well I'm looking to get my first snake, and I've been eyeing corn snakes, mainly because they are what an LFS has and because they look good. I also read that they are relatively docile and are good starter snakes. Well I lied, it's not really my first snake; my first snake was a garter and it died within a month of B1 deficiency. I do have ample experience with lizards (C. versicolor), caudates (Cynops orientalis, P. chinensis, P. hongkongensis, P. labiatus) and frogs (African Clawed Frogs, African Dwarf frogs, Pacman frogs, Tree frogs).

Anyway, I'm looking at a baby corn snake that I can keep for a while in one of my old Exoterras before I scrounge up money for a bigger enclosure. I really rather start with a younger snake mainly because of this, but is there any particular reason why I should start with an older snake? I know younger ones are more prone to bite or be scared, but that's not an issue for me.

Any advice? I've been reading loads.

2 questions.

1. Are there any other snakes you'd recommend OVER corn snakes?

2. I saw an expert village video in which the lady kept her snake in a dark black ventilated box. Can I keep mine like that? I'm thinking of setting up one of my drawers (ventilated) just for the snake. Can it be housed like this during the night and during school hours, if I take him out for 5 hours a day in the light? Apart from the difference in lighting potentially disrupting their biological clock, are there any cons to doing this (non permanently)?

Thanks, guys!

EDIT: You don't need to brief me on the responsibilities involved. I fully know that they can live for two decades and all that. I do want to know about safety, though.
 
my first snake was a corn snake.

excellent beginner snake. the only other snake that I'd recomend as well would be a ball python.

you can keep snakes in a customized box/drawer, with a tape heater to maintain the temperature. they're pretty nocturnal snakes, so the light issue won't matter so much.
 
make sure you buy from a reputable source. This will make it more likley that,

1. The snake is eating with no problems
2. the snake is healthy
3. and most likely to be a nice specimen!
 
one word of wisdom,..... no matter how secure you think your cage is, all snakes are excellent escape artist!!!!!! prepare yourself well to prevent this, but also, be prepared for escapes
 
M|L;3095199; said:
my first snake was a corn snake.

excellent beginner snake. the only other snake that I'd recomend as well would be a ball python.

you can keep snakes in a customized box/drawer, with a tape heater to maintain the temperature. they're pretty nocturnal snakes, so the light issue won't matter so much.
Click to expand...

Alrighty :D Corn snake it is then. I can't afford a ball python just yet. What are their requirements spacial wise?

So the snake will be alright in the dark for the most part?

bangerang103;3095333; said:
make sure you buy from a reputable source. This will make it more likley that,

1. The snake is eating with no problems
2. the snake is healthy
3. and most likely to be a nice specimen!
Click to expand...

Thanks :) Unluckily though, there is only one source that I know of. I can't buy online (I'm only 14 and my parents don't use e-payment) so I'll have to try my luck with my theoretical knowledge on how to examine a snake for healthiness....

swede;3095344; said:
one word of wisdom,..... no matter how secure you think your cage is, all snakes are excellent escape artist!!!!!! prepare yourself well to prevent this, but also, be prepared for escapes
Click to expand...

Thanks. Unfortunately (or fortunately, rather) I have all too much experience with escape artists...especially those newts of mine. I'll make a fine wire mesh cover for my enclosure.


I have another question. Is it true that young corn snakes will get stressed out if their enclosure is too big? Is it actually better to keep a young snake in a smaller enclosure until it grows?
 
as long as you have a small and snugly hiding place, the snake will feel equally safe in a large enclosure.

they don't have any special requirements, that's why they're excellent beginner snakes.
 
Well I got my corn snake. I have no idea what it's morph is called, but it's albino (red eyes) with a red body and lighter cream spotted pattern.

I'm housing him in a container with peat moss, some old driftwood from my freshwater leftovers, a water bowl and a cut up toilet paper roll core as a hide box. Yesterday I handled him fine but today he was rather cranky and lunged at me, as if to bite me. Then it made a huge racket rattling it's tail so I left it alone.
 
Let him settle in for about a week before you handle him or offer him food. He has to get comfortable in his new home. That's probably why he was cranky.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom