a stupid question of a soon-to-be first time corn owner

Izzie · 12-30-02, 11:59 AM

hi everyone!!!!!!!
I'm getting a cornsnake at a reptile show on the 18th of January. But how do I tell if the snake is healthy? Also, since it is winter and VERY cold, how do I get the little guy(or girl) home without him/her catching a chill?????

please help,
Izzie

vanderkm · 12-30-02, 01:50 PM

When we are buying from a herp show, we rely a lot on getting something from a breeder who we know and trust so that we are more confident the snake will be healthy. After that, the usual indicators of health apply - it should be clean, free of mites or ticks on the skin, no retained shed, no kinks along the body, reasonably active with good muscle tone, and anxious to explore. We rely a lot on attitude when picking a snake out and try to choose one that is outgoing but not too crazy. Be aware that some breeders won't allow you to handle their animals without disinfecting your hands. In some instances, snakes at shows are cooler than they would normally be kept and so they may be sluggish or calmer than their normal temperament.

To transport snakes during cold weather we use an insulated container, like a lunch cooler, with a towel and heat packs inside. The snake is usually in a deli cup, and we put that into the lunch bag, separated from direct contact with the heat packs by the towels. Just make sure you keep track of temperatures - it is worse if they over heat than if they get a bit cool.

Good luck with your purchase and hope to see photos posted soon.

Mary v.

Izzie · 12-30-02, 02:35 PM

thanks so much!!!!

Jeff_Favelle · 12-30-02, 07:27 PM

That is not a stupid question at all. In fact, its one of the most intelligent ones I've read recently. Lack of knowledge or being unfamiliar with something is not stupid. You have great common sense and that's what a lot of herpers seem to be missing!

Glad to have you in our world. Now go get that corn!

Izzie · 12-30-02, 08:10 PM

how do you tell if theyhave mites?

Izzie · 12-30-02, 08:12 PM

I will try to post a pic once I get her/him if I can find a digital camera. I just REALLY hope he/shes healthy.I'm trying to find a vet near by that sees snakes, so the snake can go for a checkup.

Jeff_Favelle · 12-30-02, 08:39 PM

Mites are usually easy to find. Keep the snake on white paper towel and you'll see them within a few hours crawling on it. Look in the water dish for black flecks.

They are hard to miss.

Email or PM me if you get one with mites.

And if a dude sells you a snake with mites, post his name here and at faunaclassifieds so that we all know who it is.

vanderkm · 12-30-02, 08:44 PM

Snake mites are small black moving dots, sort of pin-head size that are easier to see on light colored snakes. They are most commonly around the face, chin and vent (anus) area and will crawl off onto your skin when you are holding the snake. The eggs look like white dust that you might see on a dark snake. Snakes that have them spend time soaking in their water dish and may be more active than normal.

Many reptile shows are pretty good about making sure that snakes on display have been examined and are free of obvious parasites like mites. Also vendors may clean their snakes up prior to sale, but they may still carry the eggs, which will hatch after you get the snake home. That is why it is so important to keep a new snake separate from your existing collection until you have had a chance to observe it for several weeks and make sure there are no problems. Mites are treatable (search the lists for various methods) but it is much easier if you are just treating one cage and not your whole collection.

Of course if this is your first snake, quarantine is not an issue, except that I can pretty much quarantee that you will have many more before long, especially with corns, they are addictive.

Mary v.

Izzie · 12-31-02, 10:37 AM

thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Izzie · 12-31-02, 05:10 PM

I'm getting a digital camera very soon to take pics of soon to be hopefully mite free new buddy heheheheheh lololololol

~Izzie~

BeHeMoTh · 12-31-02, 08:51 PM

ya hope so

ummmm where is that show u r going to???

is it in U.S.A or canada?

and does anyone know where the next show is in canada in the kitchener waterloo region???

Izzie · 01-01-03, 12:38 PM

the Northwestern Berks show in USA PA

Lisa · 01-01-03, 01:00 PM

one thing to also worry about is size of the snake. if it is too small it may be difficult to get started with eating, etc

Ace · 01-01-03, 03:30 PM

Hey I'll probably be at that one!!! I don't think I'll be getting anything this time just "looking" . but then again that's how I came home with my other ones. LOL

I know one dealer usually has hatchling corns for $2/a peice. Usually snows or amels. But the problem with them is like Lisa says, they haven't fed yet. I haven't had any health issues with any of the snakes I got there, except for my Mex.Black. She had a small scar I didn't notice when I got her, but that cleared up after her first shed. You can usually tell which breeders to stay away from just by looking at all their animals and they're condition.

Izzie · 01-03-03, 09:28 AM

oh, ok thanks a lot for your help

only 15 days till I can get my new buddy