I'm getting a corn snake and want to know what kind of things he will need...?

Question

I am getting probobly either a orangish or a brownish corn snake. I want to know what all he will need, espically lighting. I have a 20L (long) gallon tank setup. I have aspen bedding, two medium half logs, and a medium water dish. Do corns like to climb on branches and plants (fake)? What kind of lighting does he need? Does he need UVA/UVB? I plan to get an undertank heater as well as a basking bulb and fixture. Does the heating mat go underneath the basking side or on the cooler side?

P.S. Any names for my corn would be appreciated.... (I'm thinking about Quincy.)

Answer 1

My cornsnake's name is goliath (he was about 7 inches long, so it was a play on words, now he is about 5 feet at 3 yrs).


Your set up sounds good to me. Undertank heating is good, just cover up half of the aquarium with it, not all, so you can get a temp gradient. On the cool side- put nothing. You also do not need a basking bulb, but if you really want one, it isn't going to hurt them. The undertank heater is sufficient for heating your cornsnake.

Snakes do not need any source of light, other than natural. They just need the heat for their bodies, not the UVA/UVB. Ex. look in the wild- snakes are usually sunning themselves under warm rocks, not in direct sunlight. I have read a few reports saying that it does no harm, and others saying it does harm them, but none saying that it was beneficial (other than as a heat source).

word of advice: make sure that you get a cornsnake that eats dead mice already before you buy him- some will only eat live mice and tend to be a lot more finicky. My guy, on the other hand, will try to eat anything that moves. I now have him on adult mice and day old chicks.

Answer 2

Good start! Yes, the snake must have an under tank heat mat at one end of the tank. Get a thermostat or dimmer switch to keep it at 85 degrees--measure the temp on the glass with a digital probe thermometer ONLY! Those UTH pads easily get over 100F which is way too hot. No lights are needed at all. Snakes don't need UVB. Yes, some like to climb on fake branches and vines, especially babies. Most important have a lid that locks very tightly--escaped corns are a common problem. They can slip through the smallest openings. Here's a great forum to join and learn tons of wonderful info--stop by!

http://cornsnakes.com/forums/

Answer 3

risky? Heck no. they are not venomous and are known for being non violent. it is not consumer-friendly for one to chew its handler/proprietor. I owned 2 and that they've been quite thrilling pets. the only element you're able to might desire to hassle approximately is the actuality that corn snakes are truly experienced at getting out of their cages. It took me a number of close to-escapes in the past i ultimately controlled to flee-evidence my corn snakes cages. they might slip interior the direction of the smallest of openings.

Answer 4

go to this site it has loads of info on how to care for him/her and what he/her will need...http://www.kingsnake.com/rockymountain/RMHPages/RMHnewpage11.htm

here are some names:
~Wembly
~kimble
~Chancy

~Hope this helps