Hatchling husbandry/management questions

Colubrids Corn Snakes
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Hatchling management questions - looking for input from cornsnake breeders:

  1. When do you move hatchlings off of paper onto fine aspen bedding? What criteria do you use to make that decision?

  2. When do you move hatchlings from deli cups/small food storage containers into shoebox sized tubs? What criteria do you use to make that decision?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

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I sometimes start them on aspen since I hate the wet mess they make with paper towel. My main criteria is whether they’re eating voluntarily in deli cups. If I have to try feeding in enclosure, then I leave them on PT.

I don’t house in deli cups. I usually start them in ventilated 3 or 4 cup cheap food storage containers. I move them when they seem cramped in those. Probably around 20-25g.

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  1. I used to start mine on paper towel until their first shed, I don’t anymore and just start them on aspen. As long as you have a large enough available water dish, they do fine. Exceptions made for babies that may have an umbilicus that has not fully closed or an umbilical stump.

  2. Mine start in tubs in small groups. I’d rather they have more room to explore, move, and hide than keep them in a smaller space solely for my own convenience.

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