Am I on the right track?

[Blanny]

Hello all

I am new to these forums and new to snake keeping. So new in fact that I don't actually have a snake yet, though I intend to get a corn snake in the near future. I used to keep and breed rats in the past but grew tired of them having a lot of inherant health problems and the fact they only live for around two years.
I have been avidly reading through these forums and scouring the internet in general and now feel I have a good understanding of the basics.

I was wondering if I could get some confirmation that I am on the right track please.

I was given an aquarium by a friend that is 2½ feet long (the aquarium, not my friend lol). He also gave me a Habistat 6"x11" 7 watt heat mat, an Exo Terra analogue thermometer, water bowl, hide and a lump of wood.
I realise that the aquarium is too big for a hatchling so that is currently in storage and I have just ordered a 24 litre RUB from ebay this morning. I have also decided to ditch the analogue thermometer and have ordered a "Lucky Reptile" thermometer with two probes.

As far as I can see, my shopping list is now as follows:

*100 Watt Habistat on/off thermostat (or pulse stat if I can afford it)

*another hide, maybe two

*substrate

*feeding tongs

*small container for transportation from pet shop and for feeding

*alcohol gel for cleaning my hands before and after handling snake

*tupperware container with hole in top for a "wet hide" to assist shedding

*sphagnum moss for "wet hide"

*some pinkies

*and finally one corn snake

I want to make sure that I know what I am doing and that I have everything set up correctly before taking the final step of actually buying a snake. The snakes happiness and wellbeing is my number one priority.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and your comments are welcomed.

[Blanny]

Sorry, I have just realised I have posted this thread in the wrong forum. I meant to post it in the "Newbie Advice" forum. I would appreciate it if a moderator could move it please.

[bladeblaster]

at last some one who actually does some research be for asking a well thought out question

I would personally say that a 24 litre RUB is a bit on the big side for hatchling corn as well. They do very well in small faunariums, until they get to about 12" - 18" by which time they will be ready to go into a vivarium.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Exo-Terra-SMAL...d=p3286.c0.m14

The other I would say is that aquariums are not ideal for keeping snakes, as they retain almost no heat, a wooden vivarium is much better IMO

Apart from that you seem to be very much on the right track, well done

[SW-morelia]

If your getting a hatchling a 24L rub may be a tad too big, unless you fill it up with plants etc......
And a humid hide isn't always necessary...
Other than that, you are definitely right on track...

[Cat&Dean]

Well done on doing some research and joining the forum before actually taking the plunge!

I agree with the above statements, deffo want a faunarium first and then a wooden viv instead of a fishtank.

Also dont get ripped off at a pet shop, get your corn from the classifieds on here!!

Good luck with your snake!

[Blanny]

Firstly, thank you for your comments. I am glad you all approve. Of course I have researched the subject in advance, it just came naturally to me to do so. An animals wellbeing is at stake here and it is certainly not my intention to cause it suffering because of my own ignorance.

I have just been to town and I noticed that we have a Rymans stationers which I have never noticed before (doh!) so I have now bought a 9 litre RUB and a 0.7 litre RUB for transportation and feeding. Please do not say a 9 litre is also too big as I will scream lol. I guess I can use the 24 litre one in 6-12 months time or something.

Also dont get ripped off at a pet shop, get your corn from the classifieds on here!!

As far as the above quote is concerned, I would love to do so. I would much prefer to buy my corn from a breeder rather than a pet shop as I believe that I would have a happier and healthier snake. The fact I would be looking at £15-30 rather than the £50-£75 that the local pet shops seem to be asking is also a big bonus as I don't have much in the way of disposable income.
The problem I am having though is that everyone on this site seems to be too far away for me to travel. I have read that there are animal couriers but, despite me having no experience of these services, the principal of mailing an animal seems very wrong to me.
If it helps, I regularly travel along the A66 to Darlington to pick my son up from his mothers so I could also pick up a snake from somewhere along this route after I have dropped him off home.

Once again thank you for reading my post and please keep the comments coming.

[bladeblaster]

9l should be fine, just don't make the air holes too big, you would be amazed how small a gap they can escape from.

[April Taylor]

Am impressed that you have done so much research before asking your questions! I can't add to what others have said, but wanted to say

[Brett]

nice 1 for doing research before buying a snake