Hello from a snake newbie!

rdolphingirl · 03-26-08, 10:02 PM

Howdy ya'all

(no I am NOT a redneck, but I do live in Texas ... for now)

I am a single mother with three boys, so I guess its a good thing I like all kinds of creepy crawlies as well as they do!
I finally got a snake about 2 weeks ago or so ... pretty little corn, was told he is about 6mths old (sept '07).
He has been hiding almost all the time since I got him, and the one time I tried to pick him up he bit me ... LOL
I did feed him, but in another container in his tank .... lol
I bought him from someone local (not a breeder) and his tank came with him, so he wasn't moved into a new home, or shipped.
Any ideas/suggestion on how to help him further settle in would be nice.

Here he is .... Mr S. Nake

~Rachel

(mom to 3 boys, 3 cats, 1 snake , and 2 tanks of breeder mice!)

FunkyRes · 03-27-08, 01:10 AM

They calm down with age.
Keep him well fed - at that age, the meal should be big enough to leave a sizeable lump for several days. A lot of aggressive corns (my theory anyway) are underfed.

Handle him for about 10 to 15 minutes every few days, but not within 48 hours of feeding, and not when he has started a shed cycle. If he bites, don't put him down - or else biting will continue.

Make sure he has hides on both the warm and cool side of his tank so he can choose between warm and cool without needing to choose between secure and insecure.

Be careful of touching them on their spine - they are more sensitive there.

There are two books I recommend to anyone new to snakes -

Corn Snakes : The Comprehensive Owner's Guide by Cathy Love
Corn Snakes In Captivity by Don Soderberg

Either one is sufficient, I own both. I particularly like the Cathy Love book.

Your snake will calm down, he's just a little scared right now.
Enjoy the hobby - and the snake, he's a real looker

FunkyRes · 03-27-08, 01:12 AM

Oh - where are my manners - Welcome to the source!

PatnPat · 03-27-08, 01:14 AM

Very nice looking snake! I don't breed them, but as a pet owner all I do is keep them handled, fed, warm and happy. I'm sure you'll do just fine.

BTW. One picture isn't enough! (neither is one snake.....)

Leisson · 03-27-08, 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by PatnPat

BTW. One picture isn't enough! (neither is one snake.....)

Agreed! and Welcome to the forums! they are addicting!
as i'm getting more and more tempted to get a/several corn(s) myself the longer i'm on this site... and the more i'm @ Reptile Mania... uhg i get her hooked on Boas and she's gettin me to like corns more and more...

galenwbritt · 03-27-08, 07:20 AM

Welcome from another Texan (whereabouts are you?) and enjoy your stay. Funky pretty much gave some great advice above. I know you are a strong woman being a single mother with 3 boys......but you still must be wary of the obsession.

G

hardwired · 03-27-08, 09:09 AM

I am sure you will enjoy it!

rdolphingirl · 03-28-08, 01:16 AM

FunkyRes,
Thanks for the helpful tips, and the welcome

... and ahh I forgot to order that book ... was told by someone else to get it!

PatnPat,
Thanks! .. he is purty

... I don't have a good camera for close up shots ... but I will try to get some better pictures ... once he settles a little more!

Leisson,
I just got this one ... and am planning my next already! (after I move).
I got this one kinda unexpected, found out someone was selling him and his tank for $100 ... so I grabbed!

galenwbritt,
Up a far ways north of you ... in Wichita Falls ... but fixing to move even further north soon ... back up to Oklahoma

hardwired,
Thanks for the welcome, I love forums about things I enjoy so I am sure I will!

*wanders over to order book ... before forgetting again!*

~Rachel

Leisson · 03-28-08, 01:49 AM

well nice catch! and i hope she works out to be a sweet one for ya!

galenwbritt · 03-28-08, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by rdolphingirl

galenwbritt,
Up a far ways north of you ... in Wichita Falls ... but fixing to move even further north soon ... back up to Oklahoma

~Rachel

Well, that's where I was born. My parents were in the service and in between military base locations when I was ready to enter the world, so I only got to call Wichita Falls home for about 3 days. LOL. Now they live in Tulsa......so looks like we have a bit in common.

Welcome again,
G