Corn Snake

Hello,

I visited my local pet shop which sells snakes, vivs and heating / lighting
equipment.

I bought a 4 ft long ready made viv, set it up and then collected my new
corn snake (about 2 months old).
I have never kept snakes before.

All went well for about 7 weeks, the corn was eating well (2 pinkies every 4
days).
She shed her skin twice in this time, and was approaching her next shed.

But yesterday, on returning home from work, I found her dead in the viv.
She had managed to get inside the guard around the heating element
(previously I did not know it was possible for her to get inside).

I am assuming she died from over-heating (but not sure why she did not
wriggle back out again if she was too hot).
I am considering replacing her, but I am reluctant, as I obviously do not
want a repeat of this.

I would like advice, should I try to find different equipment / viv?
Is the 4ft viv too big?
Should I not use a heating element with guard but try something else?

On Wed, 8 Nov 2006 20:24:00 -0000, "Blue Circle" <no_spam.TakeThisOut@aol.com>
wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I visited my local pet shop which sells snakes, vivs and heating / lighting
>equipment.
>
>I bought a 4 ft long ready made viv, set it up and then collected my new
>corn snake (about 2 months old).
>I have never kept snakes before.
>
>All went well for about 7 weeks, the corn was eating well (2 pinkies every 4
>days).
>She shed her skin twice in this time, and was approaching her next shed.
>
>But yesterday, on returning home from work, I found her dead in the viv.
>She had managed to get inside the guard around the heating element
>(previously I did not know it was possible for her to get inside).
>
>I am assuming she died from over-heating (but not sure why she did not
>wriggle back out again if she was too hot).
>I am considering replacing her, but I am reluctant, as I obviously do not
>want a repeat of this.
>
>I would like advice, should I try to find different equipment / viv?
>Is the 4ft viv too big?
>Should I not use a heating element with guard but try something else?
>
>
>

I don't know what kind of heating element you are describing, but
heating elements should not be anywhere the snake can possibly come in
contact with them - i.e., they should be outside the cage. As you
have found out, snakes are the most intelligent of critters. . For
corn snakes, UTH (under tank heaters) are generally the way to go. And
you'll need either a rheostat or thermostat to control the
temperature. Ceramic heat elements are OK, but they need to be
mounted above a screen top. Heated rocks are a big no-no. In
general, pet stores are poor places to get advice on caring for snakes
and poor places to purchase snakes. You can typically get healthier
snakes for less money from a breeder.

A four foot long tank is really more than you need for a even a large
adult corn snake, Hatchlings in particular often feel more secure in
a tank more appropriate to their size. A 5 to 10 gallon tank is
sufficient. A basic rule is to upgrade when the snake's length
exceeds the length + the depth of the tank. A 10 gallon tank, the
base of which is 20" x 10", can therefore accommodate a 30" snake. I
have a couple corns I purchased as hatchlings in the summer of 2005.
They spent 10 months in 5 gallon tanks and then went directly into 20
gallon tanks which are 30" x 12".

For lots more info on the care of corn snakes, go to www.cornsnake.com
Read the care sheet there and look in on the cornsnake discussion
forum.

deg