Help Requested For A Corn Snake Enclosure

So I’ll be adopting a new corn snake in a bit. I’ve recently purchased a new enclosure ( REPTI ZOO 34 Gallon) at Amazon. The enclosure measures 24" x 18" x 18". I want to make sure that I set it up properly so I figured I’d ask the MM community about doing so.

My first question is concerning using proper lighting for my snake. So far, looking into this I’ve found contradictory info and I feel the MM community will have info I can have better trust in.

  1. Info I’ve found is that corn snakes are neither classified as nocturnal (active at night) or diurnal (active in the day), but crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) . So I am not sure if I need to have a heat lamp (halogen) for them to soak under. Also not sure if having a UVB light providing UV lighting in the daytime hours.

  2. Additionally, there is a possibility that I’ll be getting an albino morph. In my research so far I have found that due to the albino morphs having pink eyes the UV lighting can cause them damage. I don’t want to hurt the little fella if I can help it. Any input on this subject is welcome.

  3. I have a good understanding about water dishes, hides, plants and climbing branches, etc.

  4. I plan on having a humidity chamber in the enclosure. I’m thinking that I will put it in when I see the snake begin to show signs of shedding appear. Anybody think I should have it in my enclosure full time? The enclosure has a fairly small footprint so keeping the humidity chamber in there full time would really affect what else I can put in there.

  5. I would like to hear what folks have to say about substrates though. I haven’t settled on what I want to get. Please fire away with your opinions! (I’ve considered the bioactive alternative but feel that it doesn’t provide the benefits many say. I’ve decided to go with a naturalistic version. Seems much easier to me.)

Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for any input!

Mike

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Hooray Mike! Congratulations on the newbie corn! Don’t know if this is the one you were eyeballing or a different one but it doesn’t matter because it’s in the bag now!

You came to the right place for CORRECT information/advice! So you can check that off your list! I am a tub keeper so my method of keeping will be different than yours. Therefore I am going to leave it to others who will be happy to answer your questions. Just keep in mind that corn snakes are fantastic little snakes to start out with because they are “forgiving” little guys if your husbandry is not spot on. Their needs are straightforward and they are great eaters.

I can’t wait to see what you have picked out! It’s always exciting when someone gets a new reptile! I am excited for you! :clap::balloon::confetti_ball::tada::blush::+1::pray:

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Thanks Caron! I haven’t gotten past the point of inquiry yet with the seller, just sent it out 15 minutes ago. I’m waiting on the answers to the questions I sent. The info the snake had listed was about 4-5 months old and I want to make sure he hasn’t grown to the point that he is close to getting too big for my enclosure.

I’ll let you know when the transaction is complete or if it isn’t going to quite work out.

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Oh I ALWAYS jump the gun Mike! But I will patiently wait!

If the 1958 is what I think it is then I am 2 years older than you! :blush:

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Hey old timer!

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Hi Mike, and hooray!!! Corn snakes are really awesome. Your asking questions bodes well for your future snake. You’ll get varied takes on things here too, because there are multiple acceptable, successful ways to do a lot of things for corn snakes. @caron is right, they’re known as a “forgiving” species. They thrive in a wide natural range, so they have a wide range of tolerances.

Your enclosure size will be fine for a youngster for a long time. The general rule is that the snake shouldn’t be longer than two adjacent sides. This ensures that the snake can stretch out when it wants, which is important for lung function *among other things), as they only have one functional lung. Do ensure that is ABSOLUTELY escape proof. Look it over carefully. If 1/4 of the end of a sharpened pencil fits in any gap, they can squeeze out.

My answers to your questions (others well have other answers, I’m sure) are:

  1. I don’t use heat lamps. Mine all have under tank/belly heat. They do get ambient light, and supplementary room lighting as well. In nature, corns retreat to a safe place for digestion. They are vulnerable when feeding or digesting, and they know it. They don’t lie out in the sun at this time. Most young ones will choose safety over everything. Also, Umunder tank heat seems easier to keep steady, since variances in air temp can affect basking temps. It’s not wrong to use heat lamps, so long as they’re outside the tank where they can’t possibly burn the animal. I do encourage some other form of heat for digestion.

  2. The science about potential benefits of UVB is not solid. It’s not necessary for their health, although there are some indications it may be helpful but the evidence isn’t strong to my knowledge. Amel based morphs’ eyes are more sensitive to UV light since they lack protective melanin. This is solidly based in science. People weigh these factors differently. I opt to skip the UV.

  3. Yay!

  4. There’s no need to keep the humid hide in there all the time, though it won’t hurt to do so. If you live in a very dry climate, it can be helpful. Depending on the morph, it can be hard to tell when they’re in the early stages of being in shed. I don’t leave a humid hide in with mine, but I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where the normal humidity most days is thick enough you can cut yourself a slice of air.

  5. I use aspen shavings. Ilike it because it’s way to get, easy to clean, and the snakes love it for the way they can build tunnels. The aspen holds the tunnel structure. Of course, I often intentionally disrupt their tunnels when I spot clean or change water. I figure rebuilding them gives themm snakes something to do. I’ve seen people complain about aspen molding, but I’ve never had this problem.

Can’t wait to see your new snake!

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Howdy Caryl…!

Thanks for your great response! So, I sent off my inquiry to SMR/Don Soderberg a few hours ago to ask a few questions. I just got the response and I must say it is very very encouraging.

Here is the snake:

So, I asked for some updates regarding size (he is now 25" long and weighs 43 grams empty) so I’m pretty confident that my enclosure (24" x 18" x 18") will be comfortable for a couple years, maybe a bit more. Do you think his snout will be large enough to prevent him from escaping?

He was born on 9/18/23, so I guess that classifies him as a “yearling?” His diet is one f/t large pinky mouse once a week. Don says, "calmest corn you’ll ever handle, handled at least twice a week since hatching, has never been aggressive to any human, and, “never refused or puked a meal.” That all sounds fantastic to me!

I have heard some people suggest that under tank heaters can be used but it is important to have them hooked up to a thermostat. I think I might wait a bit to add a heat lamp (above the wire top) until he gets a bit older and more comfortable being out in the open.

I will be having some plants in the enclosure and Don said that a LED lamp wouldn’t hurt the little fella (as long as there are enough hides for him).

Winter time in Portland, OR can be pretty dry so I will use a humid hide in the winter months. Speaking of Mississippi, you have my sympathy with your weather! I guess you probably get used to it… but, my sympathies to ya anyways.

I do hear folks talking about aspen shaving for substrate, I’ve never heard the details you presented and you make it sound like a good way to go. :slight_smile:

You wanted to see my (probable) new snake, so there ya go!

Thank you for your interest and input, Caryl!!

Mike

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Hey Caron!

Got some news for ya. Just made a purchase of my new snake. Here is the snake/ad:

The snake now is 25" long, weighs 43 grams empty, is eating 1 f/t large pinky mouse per week. He hatched 9/18/23 so he’s about 16 months old now.

Here comes the best part though: Don said, “calmest corn you’ll ever handle, handled at least twice a week since hatching, has never been aggressive to any human,” and “he’s never refused or puked a meal.” Can you tell that I’m kinda excited?!

I had a few more questions to ask Don before purchasing. I sent him an email but I wasn’t certain he received it, so I decided to give him a call. He is the nicest guy in the world! I spoke with him for 40 minutes and talked about a bunch of things. He couldn’t stop complimenting on the great personality of the snake! I couldn’t recommend him more!

Anyways, it seemed you wanted to know when I made the purchase so I came back to give you an update.

Have a great evening, Caron!

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Well I’m tellin ya Mike you could not have done better with your purchase or the updateyou gave me! Don has been breeding corns for years! I have purchased from him myself. He has written a book or two on the breed as well. I have only spoken with him a couple of times but yes he is passionate about his animals! Then and now!

Your new adoptee is a beautiful animal, bright and colorful! It sounds like your new boy is living up to the corn great eater characteristic! Eating comes naturally but the fact that Don has handled him regularly is a plus for the already great price! I am a bit curious though. Is this the original animal you were looking at but were concerned about the great price?

I am so excited for you Mike! The fact that you have picked a well established beautiful corn will surely make the transition from Don to you a smooth one! Can’t wait for you get your new snake and a bunch of picture dumps!!! :pray::clap::tada::confetti_ball::blush:

Thank you again for the update Mike! :pray::pray::pray:

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I love aspen! I have never had mold issues. However I keep a close eye on my animals and their enclosures. If you have tractor supply stores in OR here is a great deal on the best shredded aspen I have ever used. @caryl uses is too. And it’s super cheap.

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Hooray! I know we’ve said it before, but with your purchase, let me officially say welcome to corn keeping! He looks adorable. Don Soderberg is beyond well-respected and is a pillar in the community.

Yes, he should be fine in there for an extended while. 43 g isn’t a tiny baby, but it’s still important to check for any gap or give. If he can possibly get out, he probably will. Around edges of the lid is the most common place for them to find an escape route. They love plants, too. It’s cool that you’re doing that.

You’re totally correct that a thermostat is necessary. I should’ve mentioned this. :expressionless: It’s important with any heat source.

Lol thanks. I grew up in IN, spent lots of time in KY visiting relatives. I miss having four seasons. (Hoping to correct that soon.) I loved our recent blizzard!

Once your baby has settled in, you will probably want to increase his prey size. He’s more than big enough to be taking fuzzies.

Very excited for you to get him in-house.

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Sure do! I just got more of that aspen, in fact. It’s too finely shredded to use in a stall IMHO, my horses would’ve flattened it in 5 minutes. But it’s perfect for snakes.

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Amen!

Awhile back on tub cleaning day I put 4 of my corn babies in a holding enclosure and then I stopped to eat a quick lunch. I came back to find 3 of the little stinkers had escaped! Thankfully it wasn’t long enough for them to get too far and after a frantic search (what am I gonna tell @caryl!) I located all 3 of them. So remember. Anywhere a nose can fit through the body will follow. Ya gotta keep one step ahead of these guys! :joy:

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Hey Caron :slight_smile:

Yeah, this is the original snake I had been looking at. I must admit, being a newbie here on MM, I was a bit paranoid about purchasing a snake without seeing it in person. And I didn’t want to come off as being untrustful of a well known and highly regarded breeder/seller here on MM.

Well, those fears have all been put to rest.

In my short time on MM, I have learned a lot about adopting snakes, what questions to ask, and above all… don’t hesitate to ask those questions pronto.

I won’t be getting the snake for a bit. I have paid for the snake, and I asked Don if he could delay shipping while I get the enclosure setup and tuned in. And of course the weather can be problematic this time of year.

Lastly,… Happy Year Of The Snake!

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Well I certainly know what you mean about being new and unsure of how MM works, being unsure of yourself as a buyer and being unsure of purchasing a snake that you have never seen in person, from a breeder you have never met. What a mouthful! :joy:

I bought my first snake on MM back in early 2020 and that got the ball rolling! I can honestly say that of all the purchases I’ve made here I have never had one bad experience with a breeder/seller or an animal. I’ve made some friends as well. So you have gotten your feet wet Mike! I do believe you will be back for more! :blush:

I can’t wait till you get him! Remember he’s gotta have a name! :pray:

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We totally understand the hesitation, Mike. It had been a long time since I first ordered snakes online from Kathy Love, but I remember how weird it seemed. Kathy was ever so gracious and helpful. She was very patient with my newbie nerves.

Good for you for wanting to get the enclosure right, and not pushing about shipping despite weather. :clap:

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