|
General
|
Snakes often need several days to become comfortable with
strangers. Always support the body and allow the head freedom
to move about. Your snake's skin will become tight as it grows
and will periodically shed to reveal new skin below. Bluish-white
eyes and dull skin indicate it will shed soon. Once the eyes
have cleared, help your snake finish shedding by soaking it
in luke warm water.
|
|
Housing
|
A 10-gallon aquarium with a tight lid is fine for a baby corn
snake. Adults need a long 20 gallon aquarium. Newspaper, paper
towels, or Astro-turf can be used on the bottom of the enclosure.
Hiding spots will help your pet feel secure. A temperature
gradient of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit on the cool end of
the enclosure and 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit on the warm end
will allow the snake to regulate its own body temperature. Use
a reptile heat lamp on top of the screen cage lid at one end and
an undertank heating pad under just half of the tank. Place the
heat lamp far enough away from your pet to avoid burning it.
|
|
Diet
|
Only feed pre-killed prey to avoid injuries. Thaw frozen prey
thoroughly before feeding. A hatchling can be offered a "pinkie"
mouse every few days. Increase the amount and size of prey slowly
as the snake's appetite and ability to swallow increase. A fully
grown snake may be eating a fully-grown mouse once every 7-10 days.
Do not handle your snake for at least 2 days after feeding. Include
a sturdy bowl filled daily with fresh, clean water large enough for
your snake to soak in.
|
|
Cleaning
|
Clean cage weekly and water bowl every other week with a
bleach solution (¼ c. bleach/1 gallon water) to eliminate
both bacteria and fungus. Rinse well and dry thoroughly.
Remove all waste and wet substrate as quickly as possible
to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria. If your snake
soils the water, clean and replace the bowl immediately.
|
|
Health
|
Get a routine fecal exam done by a qualified reptile veterinarian.
Watch for signs of illness like lack of appetite, listlessness,
frequent regurgitation, mucous from the nose or mouth; change in
feces or urine; parasites, such as ticks or mites, or wrinkled skin
around the neck, indicating dehydration.
|
|
Warnings
|
Never use "hot rocks" for your snakes as they can cause serious burns.
Reptiles may carry salmonella bacteria, so good hygiene is essential.
|