How to house your first snake.

[Raver]

I have a table which would be ideal for a vivarium. The table is 35x19 inches. Is that big enough for a baby corn? Obviously I could get a smaller one. And then the depth which can go up to whatever.

[Mitch_Moshi]

Originally Posted by Raver

I have a table which would be ideal for a vivarium. The table is 35x19 inches. Is that big enough for a baby corn? Obviously I could get a smaller one. And then the depth which can go up to whatever.

I have my baby corn (well she's 4 months old now) in a 30cm*30cm Exo-Terra.

So that size is plenty. Infact an adults requirements are pretty much that size (Most people suggest 36*18*1 so 35*19 would be perfect size infact

[Raver]

Thanks dude. Just needed to make sure I get the right viv. Wait, Im not sure if I should get a baby of get an adult.. Should I get a baby and watch it grow or skip that part and buy an adult?

[Mitch_Moshi]

Originally Posted by Raver

Thanks dude. Just needed to make sure I get the right viv. Wait, Im not sure if I should get a baby of get an adult.. Should I get a baby and watch it grow or skip that part and buy an adult?

That's up to you.

Personally I can't think of anything nicer than seeing it grow up from a little worm into a nice 4-5ft snake Just to see it's progression subtle changes in colour and stuff, it's great.

Also, Corns are rather docile, so they're pretty much tame from the start, and yes as babies they're a bit quick, but as long as you're aware of where they are when they're out they're great to watch. Whenever Stheno is out she'll try and explore everywhere if I didn't keep a hand on her.

[sparky4life]

Originally Posted by Raver

I have a table which would be ideal for a vivarium. The table is 35x19 inches. Is that big enough for a baby corn? Obviously I could get a smaller one. And then the depth which can go up to whatever.

I remember reading somewhere that often corn snakes gets a tad scared if their housing is to big for them, so what i sugest you should do is to maybe if you are going to use the big viv to maybe put in alot of hiding space for your corn and some flat rocks and branches so that it can hide and explore, the more playroom and hiding places they have the happier you can expect them to be

[**MarijA**]

will that be big enough when the corn snake grows up ?

[rantasam]

Originally Posted by **MarijA**

will that be big enough when the corn snake grows up ?

Some people house their snakes in RUBS for life - RUBS are available in various sizes and some are big enough. Personally I prefer to move them to vivs when they reach a larger size so I can see them better, but it is personal preference really. I also prefer ceramic heating to heat mats, and again you would need a wooden viv in order to use this method.

[Taz Devil]

Thanks for creating this thread. I currently keep Phasmids (Stick Insects) but due problems with my back I am now unable to get out and about as much for the food plants that they eat, so I have decided to cease keeping them and look for something that does not require marching around various parts of the country side looking for various plants to feed them on.

I have wanted to keep a snake for many years but never took any further, but seeing as I have 90% of the equipment to hand I thought I would make a start and look around for information. This thread has helped with setting up the various bits and bobs I have.

My currently list consists of:-

3 Exo Terra Terrariums (W60cm x D45cm x H60cm, W45cm x D45cm x H60cm and W30cm x D30cm x H45)
1 Large w48" x d18" x h18" fish tank converted into 3 individual (W18" x D18" x H16") vivs with sliding doors which I have stood on it's end, but I can remove the dividers and create a single 4 foot tank.
1 x Exo Terra Light Canopy for the 60x45x60 terrarium
1 x Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
1 x Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
1 x Small Exo Terra Water Bowl
1 x Small Exo Terra Hide
1 x Heat Mat (Dimensions unknown but I'd say in the region of 12" x 12".
1 x HabiStat Dimmer Thermostat

Plus other bits and bobs collected over the past year or so.

My 45x45x60 Exo Terra is currently empty but will soon be housing all my Trachy Nymphs leaving the 30x30x45 free for a small corn snake.

The information in this thread has helped me identify the various items I would require for the housing and well being for my first Corn Snake.

One question I do have is:-
Would it be OK to use Astro Turf (Artificial grass) as a substrate for the bottom of the tank??

I am currently awaiting the arrival of a couple of books (one on Corn Snakes and the other on Burmese python (I think) to arrive from one of the users on this site, in the mean time I am scurrying all over the internet looking for as much information as possible. The only thing I have not looked at yet is where to get my first Corn Snake from, I was hoping to find somewhere in South Yorkshire, preferably Barnsley, that breeds and sells Snakes. The only place I can find near to me is a place called Aqua Inn but I have heard that they sell wild caught animals rather than captive bred.

So once again, thanks for an excellent thread,

[Sitting_duck]

Thanks for this thread

[rantasam]

Originally Posted by Taz Devil

One question I do have is:-
Would it be OK to use Astro Turf (Artificial grass) as a substrate for the bottom of the tank??

I was hoping to find somewhere in South Yorkshire, preferably Barnsley, that breeds and sells Snakes.

Yeah, people use astro turf as a substrate. I would get 2 pieces so you can swap one out for cleaning when soiled and replace it with the other.

Snakes and Adders in Sheffield is about a half hour from Barnsley and is one of the best shops in the country.. well worth a visit.