New Corn Snake?!?

So hello everyone! I’m interested in owning a reptile. I’m obviously going with a corn snake as a start! I understand the care is going to be lifelong and am up for it. I am looking for a male corn snake. Just wanted to know everything I need to make it happen. If anyone knows the terrarium size and types of needs such as water and substrate are good please tell me. I want to make it great! The heating and food needs I’d also like to get opinions on since I’m new. While I’ve researched online, I feel experienced ppl can be of even more assistance. Thanks!

 

Hello! Snakes are cool creatures! I know fishlore peeps with corn snakes. I’m hoping I get these right: JLeeM Ozzy can y’all help here?
Hey, V-Star, if you get a chance check out JLeeM’s corn snake! Awesomeness!

 

20 gallon tank, aspen bedding, a hide, a heat lamp connected to a thermostat set to 85 degrees for the warm end, and room temperature (low 70s) for the cool end. Don’t mist the enclosure, it molds and harbors bacteria. If your snake has issues shedding, provide a humid hide box (a small plastic storage container with a hole cut in the front and stuffed with damp moss) so it can use it as it pleases. There is no lighting necessary, but it’s preferred so that the snake knows what it’s day and night cycle is. A shallow water dish should always be provided (make sure the dish it self is kind of heavy so the snake doesn’t knock it over). Don’t handle your snake until you’ve successfully fed it three to four times - this is so your snake gets used to it’s new home and it’s not unnecessarily stressing out due to premature handling. Feed mice. The size depends on the size of your snake. Do not offer crickets because corn snakes don’t see them as food. Only mice really.

 

Thanks gypsy and Breefer! A 20 gallon is much less than I anticipated! Obviously longer in length than height since it’s a snake but still! Is there a certain type of mice that are recommended to be fed? And can anyone recommend a good place to get a corn snake? I live in the Bay Area, CA. I really don’t trust places like petsmart as I’ve had more than bad luck with good fish there. I have literally never successfully raised a gourami and don’t think it’s completely my fault.

 

Thanks gypsy and Breefer! A 20 gallon is much less than I anticipated! Obviously longer in length than height since it’s a snake but still! Is there a certain type of mice that are recommended to be fed? And can anyone recommend a good place to get a corn snake? I live in the Bay Area, CA. I really don’t trust places like petsmart as I’ve had more than bad luck with good fish there. I have literally never successfully raised a gourami and don’t think it’s completely my fault.

It depends on the size of the corn snake. Babies should probably be fed pinkies or fuzzies, but the larger the snake the larger the food. The breeder you buy from should tell you what size they’re eating. The mice will be frozen->thawed. You can get them from pet stores or you can order in bulk online. I’m unsure of breeders in your area. I would join a corn snake Facebook group and ask for recommendations. Do not purchase from websites like LLL reptiles or backwater reptiles. They sell sick and unhealthy stock and sometimes you don’t even get the species you paid for - they usually refuse to fix their mistakes as well.

 

Thanks

 

Thanks

No problem! Good luck with your snake! Update with pictures when you get it

 

It's not a bad idea to make sure your snake can stretch out completely along one side of the tank. It may take a few years, but it will eventually benefit from a 55 or larger. I have an adult female who is just longer than her 55, we are figuring out an upgrade for her that I can get into easy. She's so big she actually gets small rats instead of mice because even jumbo mice would be only a snack to her, but she's six years old now.

 

Yes I know females can get large. Which is why I am opting for a male. They can be up to 2 feet shorter even at full length.

 

I hope it works out that way! Just because males can stay small doesn't mean they will. I adopted an 11 year old pair of ball pythons who are brothers, and they just as large as a lady ball. Same for my Florida King, he's pushing 6 feet.