Thinking about a corn.

[CptJack]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a corn snake, eventually. I am, however, *completely* put off by the tiny size of hatchlings. I think I found a place that I can adopt a larger adult and am considering going this route (I'd rather get bitten and have it hurt than try to handle something tiny, fragile, and fast - I'd also prefer something that if it goes on a feeding strike for some reason can handle it). Since I've found this option, I'm back to giving it more serious consideration.

My only two real questions, I guess, are:

Is a 41qt tub okay? I could go bigger, but I'd prefer not to go to glass - they're just hard to handle for me because of the weight and

What kind of ideal ambient temperature are we looking at for them? I've seen numbers all over the map, but I live in the south and sometimes my home gets pretty warm, even with central air. I'm not worried about keeping temperatures UP, but I don't want to bake the poor thing, either.

[Pyrate81]

41qt tub will be too small for an adult corn. They typically get 4-6 feet long and like stretching out. A rule of thumb I go by for colubrids is LxW of enclosure equals the length of the snake. So the equivilant of 30-40br tank would be a 120-160qt tub. I've seen some people on here say they keep their corns in 40br tanks.


I keep my rat snakes at a 78-88 gradient, but they can live with slightly cooler. Here's the care sheet for corns:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...uttata-guttata)

[CptJack]

Awesome. Temps aren't quite as bad as I thought - that room maintains about 75-76 during the summer with the vents blocked, which is too uncomfortable for me but should be manageable. I don't think it's ever hit 80.

I may do some more research into housing. I don't mind spending money, but I really, really, REALLY do not want to deal with the weight of a glass tank that big. Maybe I'll go poke around animal plastics website.

[Pyrate81]

Also check into pvccages.com. I just got a bunch of 36x24s from them. Gonna get a 48x24 for my big rat snake and a couple 24x24s for my little guys in the near future.

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[HVani]

I love my corn snake. She's my favorite. She's always down to being handled and is very active.

I keep her in a 36x18x24 exoterra and she uses every inch of it. She's on the smaller end of an adult corn at 3.5 feet. I keep her warm side at 85-86. She's stupidly easy to take care of. No misting, eats mice every 2 weeks, and the thermostat keeps temps where they need to be.

Corns are naturally found down south so the heat really should not bother them. I'm in Wisconsin so winters are always my problem. My girl has no issues during the summer, even on the hottest days.

[Pyrate81]

...
Corns are naturally found down south so the heat really should not bother them. I'm in Wisconsin so winters are always my problem. My girl has no issues during the summer, even on the hottest days.

Are you having heating problems or eating problems?

I could be looking too deep into this statement. If so, you can tell me to mind my own business and take a long walk off a short peir.

[HVani]

No problem! We all want what is best for our pets. That's why we are here

In the winter I watch my thermostat closely and add a heat lamp if it can't keep up. I didn't have to this past winter luckily. She still slowed down but ate like a champ every time, unless she was shedding. I just meant they can thrive in a range of conditions. I meant no harm.

[Pyrate81]

No problem! We all want what is best for our pets. That's why we are here

In the winter I watch my thermostat closely and add a heat lamp if it can't keep up. I didn't have to this past winter luckily. She still slowed down but ate like a champ every time, unless she was shedding. I just meant they can thrive in a range of conditions. I meant no harm.

No harm done, was wondering if you were having problems we could help you resolve. I have 3 snakes that do not eat from October to March/April so I turn their heat and lights off for the winter to assist in their self-imposed cool off. I can pretty much tell what time of year it is by how active they are and how much they are eating.


cptjack, side thought: if you go to a reptile expo and handle a few corns, you may be able to find a nice calm hatchling which could suit your needs. I got my first baby corn a couple months back and she is the calmest baby/young snake I've ever handled. Daddy's little angel she is.