Minimum size for a snake? [Archive]

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luckydud13

03-28-2009, 10:21 AM

What would be the minimum tank size for a snake? And what is the smallest, and best tempered snake for a beginner? My neighbors had two that would crawl around their hands and like tie themselves in a knot it was really cool!

Thanks

IceH2O

03-28-2009, 10:32 AM

I'd recommend corn snakes. They are pretty docile,don't get to big and come in a variety of colors.

You could keep one at adult size(3-5 ft) in a 20 long though a 40 breeder would be better for room.

Vicious_Fish

03-28-2009, 11:16 AM

tricksterpup

03-28-2009, 2:23 PM

Kenyan Sand Boas stay pretty small. African House Snakes are also another underrated small snake species. Either species could live in a 20 gallon long or similar sized tub.

http://www.tbc.net/~gknaack/info/sbcs.html (http://www.tbc.net/%7Egknaack/info/sbcs.html)
http://www.popularpets.net/snakes/care-sheets/african-house-snake.php
I agree but most newbs will have a hard time finding a House snake. They are not very common in the trade yet.

The easiest snake to buy and own is the Corn snake. They are by far the easiest ones to work with and the more appealing due to the color morphs. You can get a corn from a breeder ranging from $15-$100 (and up) depending on the morph.

The best cage to get is a 20 gallon long Critter cage if you want something to display your snake in. You will need a Under the Tank heat pad and remember snakes do not need light. They are fed once a week. And I recommend feeding your snake Frozened thaw mice. 99.9% of the snakes will eat these readily, heck, even my wild caught snakes prefer frozen thawed rodents.

I keep mine in rack systems and tubs. They are cheaper and easier to clean.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/rack-2.jpg

Now as you stated you want a snake to sit and hold and will not mind being held. Well, that isnt going to be easy. I have over 70 snakes in my collection and only 1 and I mean 1 snake will sit and be held. Most snakes will sit there for a bit and then want to squirm away after they warmed up on your body heat. I just wanted to give you that bit of info. Not all snakes will settle down for you and you may get bored with it. I have seen this happen once to many times. I have rescued many reptiles from the humane society by being callled to pick them up. It got old really fast seeing the amount of unwanted animals.
So, I want you to think about it as well, are you ready to keep a pet for the next 20 years? Snakes live a long time, a lot longer than a cat or a dog.

Since this isnt really a snake forum but we do have members here who do keep them but I do not think its bad form to post links to a snake forum to help you ask your questions and also you can search the threads to get more information. http://www.cornsnakes.com
This forum was created and still owned by one of the top names in the corn snake hobby. He has created and discovered many of the color morphs.

I also recommend a book the Corn snake manual by Kathy Love. You can pick that up at any pet shop or going to her personal site www.cornutopia.com

tricksterpup

03-28-2009, 2:27 PM

Ok here are some variations in corn snakes.

Amel Striped Motley het caramel.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/amelstripe.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/amelstripe1.jpg

A normal.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/newgirl3.jpg

A ghost.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/boo5.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/boo6.jpg

Hypo
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/snape3.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/snape6.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/snape1.jpg

---------- Post added at 02:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:07 AM ----------

Amel
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/wyldfyre1.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/wyldfyre-1.jpg

The jury is still out on this guy but many believe and I agree this is a Rootbeer.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/chocolate7.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/chocolate6-1.jpg

Here is another normal. I got her free from a pet store due to her surviving a case of mouth rot. A snake that she felt she couldnt sell.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/cleo/GEDC0097.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/cleo/GEDC0096.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/cleo/closeup.jpg

ch-47 soldier

03-28-2009, 3:00 PM

says it all

I agree but most newbs will have a hard time finding a House snake. They are not very common in the trade yet.

The easiest snake to buy and own is the Corn snake. They are by far the easiest ones to work with and the more appealing due to the color morphs. You can get a corn from a breeder ranging from $15-$100 (and up) depending on the morph.

The best cage to get is a 20 gallon long Critter cage if you want something to display your snake in. You will need a Under the Tank heat pad and remember snakes do not need light. They are fed once a week. And I recommend feeding your snake Frozened thaw mice. 99.9% of the snakes will eat these readily, heck, even my wild caught snakes prefer frozen thawed rodents.

I keep mine in rack systems and tubs. They are cheaper and easier to clean.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j82/iguanajim/rack-2.jpg

Now as you stated you want a snake to sit and hold and will not mind being held. Well, that isnt going to be easy. I have over 70 snakes in my collection and only 1 and I mean 1 snake will sit and be held. Most snakes will sit there for a bit and then want to squirm away after they warmed up on your body heat. I just wanted to give you that bit of info. Not all snakes will settle down for you and you may get bored with it. I have seen this happen once to many times. I have rescued many reptiles from the humane society by being callled to pick them up. It got old really fast seeing the amount of unwanted animals.
So, I want you to think about it as well, are you ready to keep a pet for the next 20 years? Snakes live a long time, a lot longer than a cat or a dog.

Since this isnt really a snake forum but we do have members here who do keep them but I do not think its bad form to post links to a snake forum to help you ask your questions and also you can search the threads to get more information. http://www.cornsnakes.com
This forum was created and still owned by one of the top names in the corn snake hobby. He has created and discovered many of the color morphs.

I also recommend a book the Corn snake manual by Kathy Love. You can pick that up at any pet shop or going to her personal site www.cornutopia.com (http://www.cornutopia.com)

cam191919

03-28-2009, 3:27 PM

i had a yellow rat snake, a close reletive of a corn snake, that was alittle too friendly. she would crawl right on to my arm if i stuck it into her cage. but that was just luck, it all comes down to the individual you get

calivivarium1

03-28-2009, 3:52 PM

I agree with the posts above, all are excellent choices for first snakes. How big of a snake are you looking to get?

IceH2O

03-28-2009, 4:31 PM

luckydud13

03-28-2009, 4:48 PM

HEy thanks everyone. I am not definately doing this, but have wanted on for a while. And I dont mean the kind of "being held" where I can sit and watch tv with it curled up in my arms like a puppy, but like if I picked it up for a couple minutes it would like crawl around my hands and the such.

I don't really care too much about the variations, but that oragish one was absolutely awesome!

So I already have a suitable heat lamp, for a 20 gallon tank, what wattage of incandescent bulb should I get?

Also, is only a certain part of the tank supposed to be lit?

Thanks everyone!

tricksterpup

03-28-2009, 6:03 PM

So I already have a suitable heat lamp, for a 20 gallon tank, what wattage of incandescent bulb should I get?

Also, is only a certain part of the tank supposed to be lit?

Thanks everyone!
X-nay on the heat lamp.. Snakes do not require a heat lamp and I strongly suggest against them.

They can cause fires and just problems in general. I do not use lamps on any of my snakes.

Stay away from heat lamps and Heat Rocks..

Get one of these..
http://lllreptile.com/load-image/StoreInventoryImage/image/3874

A rheostat to monitor the temps.
http://lllreptile.com/load-image/StoreInventoryImage/image/3899

I also recommend spending $25 and getting a temp gun. These are the best things to check your temps and well worth the price.
from www.tempgun.com

http://www.tempgun.com/graphics/new_tg_pics/tempgun_closecrop404.jpg

I recommend this book to read. Be it corn snakes or any other snake. This book will give you a great base knowledge on these animals.

http://static.bookdepository.co.uk/assets/images/book/large/9781/8827/9781882770700.jpg

I know this stuff adds up in cost but if you start off right, you are not going to have any problems with your snake.

Also remember to use Aspen Bedding for your snakes. This stuff contains no oils and your animal will be safe. I use Aspen, paper towels or newspaper, depending on the animal and how much aspen I have on hand.

You will need to have multiple hides, one for the cool side and for the warm. you can go out and buy fancy ones, or use just a small card board box. Heck, for some of mine I use toilet paper rolls for my smaller snakes.

Here is a good site for supplies
http://www.herpsupplies.com

More advance keepers.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/

One last bit of information,
You got your cage, you have your supplies and ready to buy your snake.
What do you do for Food. well, again, i recommend frozen rodents but do not buy them from petco/petsmart. That will cost you a small fortune. Check your area, you may have some herp pet stores in your area. Go them or if you buy from a local breeder, see where they get their frozen rodents. It will be cheaper. And easier than keeping live rodents. Pop them in the freezer, and thaw one when you need it.
Since I have so many I order in BULK, I buy around 700 rodents at a time.. it will last me a few months. If you have 1 young corn, you should go through pinkies a month at first. So buying in bulk is not the way for you to go.

Nora

03-28-2009, 6:30 PM

tricksterpup

03-28-2009, 6:30 PM

Lucky when you decide if and when you want a snake I work with a guy who breeds all types. Let me know I can get you a good deal and he lives in Concord.
If you look on craigslist he sells a lot on there.
And there is also Jeff Mohr in SC
http://www.mohrsnakes.com/

He has some great animals.. i highly recommend him.

tricksterpup

03-28-2009, 6:32 PM

So I opened this thread thinking to add my $.02 and a little bit of information based on my research and very limited past experience with corns and found $200.00+ worth of high quality info with links to research and find out more.

Very well put TP!!!
:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

I was really impressed by the product pics too, nothin' better than step by step what & how to with pics.:thm:

Thanks Nora, I have been doing this hobby for years now and I am very passionate about my snakes.
I have made lots of mistakes in the past and will do so in the future as well. But I try to steer new people towards the right way. I have learned my mistakes and do not want others to make the same ones.
LOL when I started i wish I had the internet.

luckydud13

03-28-2009, 8:14 PM

Yah thanks a ton TP. I wish he had an example of prices on his site though.

I dont know where to start. Time to do some research.

tricksterpup

03-28-2009, 10:16 PM

Yah thanks a ton TP. I wish he had an example of prices on his site though.

I dont know where to start. Time to do some research.
I guess one place to look is here for prices.
http://www.serpenco.com/
This guy is one of the main breeders in the industry. Most others run their prices around his.

He doesn't sell normals out off of his site, they are just not worth to sell individually.