Where Should I Buy My Corn Snake? - Page 2

Caprisaurus · 08-23-13, 11:08 PM

Also, unrelated question, but what size pinkies should I get if it's a baby corn snake? I see extra small pinkies and regular pinkies. Also, how many should I order? It looks like I have to buy them in bulk and I wanna get it right the first time. I don't want to have a bunch of mice that are too small. Also, where would you recommend I get them from? I would appreciate some help.

Mikoh4792 · 08-23-13, 11:39 PM

I have ordered rats/mice from lllreptile, bigappleherp, rodentpro. They are all good places. People also like Layne labs.

It depends on the size of your corn snake. I have been following this schedule recommended by some members here and it's been working out so far. Prey items about 10-15% of the weight of the snake weekly. So for example if your corn weighs 10 grams feed it something 1 gram.

Caprisaurus · 08-24-13, 12:40 AM

Well, unfortunately I don't know how big it is yet because I haven't gotten it yet. I'm still getting it's cage set up and making sure temps are stable before I buy it and bring it home.

Couple other quick questions. I heard it's okay to use paper towels as a substrate, especially when you get a new snake to make sure it doesn't have mites etc. How many layers of paper towels should I put? Also, the probes should be under the paper towels right on the glass right? Finally, should I get a thermometer/hygrometer gauge for ambient air? Should I leave a humid hide in the cage all the time?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure I do it right the first time.

Mikoh4792 · 08-24-13, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caprisaurus

Well, unfortunately I don't know how big it is yet because I haven't gotten it yet. I'm still getting it's cage set up and making sure temps are stable before I buy it and bring it home.

Couple other quick questions. I heard it's okay to use paper towels as a substrate, especially when you get a new snake to make sure it doesn't have mites etc. How many layers of paper towels should I put? Also, the probes should be under the paper towels right on the glass right? Finally, should I get a thermometer/hygrometer gauge for ambient air? Should I leave a humid hide in the cage all the time?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure I do it right the first time.

Ask as many as you have. The more answered, the more equipped you are to take care of your animals.

1. Paper towels/newspaper work well and most people do recommend them for a new snake for the reasons you mentioned. The amount of layers are up to you. I personally just use enough to cover the floor. So maybe 1 or two layers. Not so many layers that the UTH would inefficiently heat the enclosure.

2. Depends on what kind of heat mat you use. If you use heat mats like zoo med that have a thick backing where most of the heat just goes out of the sticky side, I would put the probe in the enclosure under the paper towel. With things like heat tape or ultra therm heat pads where heat goes off both sides of the mat, I would tape the probe directly on the heat mat and set it to "x" degrees to get the desired temperatures inside. Either works but I prefer the latter since there is no chance of the animal moving the probe.

3. Yes. Measuring ambient air temps are important as is measuring the hot/cool side. You could leave a guage inside the enclosure and also use a infrared heat gun to monitor temps across the cage.

Starbuck · 08-24-13, 07:17 AM

i prefer to keep my temperature probes IN the enclosure, so i know the exact temp where the snake is. to prevent the snake moving the probe, you can use the 3M velcro strips, trimmed so the snake cant access any sticky surfaces. if your cage is plastic (tubs), you can drill two holes and use zip ties, etc. If you have a temp gun, it doesnt matter as much where the probe is, as you can check your temps anywhere in the enclosure at any time.

Are you using a thermostat?

An ambient thermometer is not very useful in my opinion; if youre using a heat producing overhead light maybe, but otherwise i dont feel it is necessary. a permenent humidity gauge can be useful; BUT if you are always providing a humid hide (which you can do), it is also not needed. just make sure your snake has other, non-humid hides as well. I use sphagnum moss in my humid hides, and i refresh them/spray down once a week. for a young cornsnake you'll need a very small tupperware!

as for mice to buy: slightly larger than the diameter of the snake, roughly 10% of the body weight, every 5-7 days is a pretty good rule to follow. i wouldnt think you would need extra small pinkies, but that will depend on your snake.

Caprisaurus · 08-24-13, 12:42 PM

Cool, thanks. I appreciate the replies. I really need some help ordering the mice though. I think the snake is only a few months old but I don't know weight or any specifics. How many pinkies should I buy? Maybe I should get some fuzzies too for when it's up to them? How many of those should I get? 25? 50? 100? Would really appreciate some help with this because I need to order them soon.

TheZoo · 08-24-13, 08:50 PM

When I got mine from petsmart she was eating larger pinks she stayed on them for a while and before switching strait to fuzzys. I did a few double pinks to make sure she could handle a larger size. Personally I would pick up a 6 pack of arctic mice while your there so you can see the mice and go from there. Also I understand the whole living in the moment thing i'm young and impatient to but I have realised somtimes if you wait you can get cool stuff in the end and with that I wish you good luck in your corn adventures.