Corn snakes (as pets) need advice

[laurie31]

DD2 has been begging for a snake. (she may look all girly in my siggy pic but she loves lizards, turtles, snakes, etc )

Anyway, she wants a corn snake as a pet. We're considering it. (She had asked for a turtle, but we found out how long they live...it's not a committment I'm willing to make.)

I'm wondering how hard are snakes to care for and how expensive is it to buy one and get all their "stuff" (20 gal. aquarium, heating pad, etc)

Also, we have dogs and cats. How big an issue would that be? Especially the cats...

Does anyone have a pet snake? Do your kids enjoy it or did they get bored with it over time? Any thoughts?

 

[Serena]

they are not expensive at all. I suggest going to the pet store and pricing everything, when you're not with your daughter. Talk to the people there about it.

I'm not sure about where you live, but here they have Reptile shows at the fairgrounds every month. There are lots of people there you can talk to. And there are breeders, you can talk to them and decide who to buy the snake from. They will also have the supplies there that you'll need.

There should be books at the library and I know there are websites for them too.

My oldest talked me into a snake, but I didn't want a small one, they made me more nervous than a big one. I got her a redtail boa. That snake loves my daughter. lol

 

[laurie31]

Thanks

I've googled it, but I wondered about a "real life" experience with a pet snake. I'll go check out the pet stores, and maybe we'll go for it

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I really need to read slower. I thought the title to this thread said "Corn flakes (as pets) need advice. For people that reaaalllly love their breakfast cereal?

 

[laurie31]

I really need to read slower. I thought the title to this thread said "Corn flakes (as pets) need advice. For people that reaaalllly love their breakfast cereal?

ROTFL!!

No, we won't be having snake for breakfast!

(nor will I be buying a 20 gallon enclosure for the breakfast cereal - we do like to shop at Sam's but that's a bit over the top )

 

[Buckalew11]

My DD had a corn snake. She found him somewhere (she's found many a snake and I can't remember all of them...). The corn snake is a pretty snake though, so I remember him. He only ate once a week and I did have to buy mice for him (frozen pinkies and we never gave him a live rat). He was a good pet and easy to care for.

 

[ilovepcot]

Oh honey...don't pay money for a snake! Come clean out my back yard. PLEASE!!!! We're loaded!

 

[poohandwendy]

You will definitely need a secure, locking lid, this snake will be constant entertainment for your cats...if nothing else!

Reptiles can be great pets, but obviously you will be the one responsible for it's care (unless you have a very, very mature 2 yo, LOL). Good luck with it!

 

[Papa Deuce]

Oh honey...don't pay money for a snake! Come clean out my back yard. PLEASE!!!! We're loaded!

Ship one via UPS!

 

[ilovepcot]

Ship one via UPS!

I've got a plan. *YOU* come catch the darn thing and put it in the box. In fact, let's send one to everybody here who wants one!

 

[Buckalew11]

Is the DD who wants one 2 yo?? I was thinking she meant her 2nd child. If she is 2, then, no, I don't think I'd get a 2 yo a corn snake.

 

[poohandwendy]

Is the DD who wants one 2 yo?? I was thinking she meant her 2nd child.

Lol, you could be right...I wasn't even thinking that the 2 could have meant second daughter. I have no idea how old her Dds are. (sorry if I caused any confusion)

 

[Papa Deuce]

I've got a plan. *YOU* come catch the darn thing and put it in the box. In fact, let's send one to everybody here who wants one!

I'll be at WDW in December. I'll stop in.

I really LOVE corn snakes......

 

[laurie31]

Yes, I meant my second child

She will be 8 this month and wants this for her birthday. It is termpting to go find one in the wild, but I've read that the ones bred in captivity do better as pets. I also don't have any doubts about who will be doing lots of the pet care

And yeah, I fear this snake would have a short life if it were to get loose in our house!

DD2 is a purple person (here's her room)

and she wants...you guessed it...a purple snake!

 

[Buckalew11]

LOL! OK, I was thinking she wasn't 2yo!

Pretty room. I had a purple room when I was a little girl.

Our corn snake wasn't purple though. I guess they come in different shades!

 

[ZuZugal]

Oh...we love snakes in this house....and we have a beautiful snow corn snake (he's mostly orange.)

Anyway, I would suggest going to a reptile store that has been around a while and has people who know their stuff.

The snake is our easiest pet and he is very gentle (the kids handle him often.)

He's in a large aquarium, with some little logs and fake green "trees" for hiding in. Also has a water dish. We have a reptile light on the top of the aquarium screen which is turned on during the day and off at night.

He was trained to eat live pinkies, but will now eat the frozen/thawed kind.

If you have any specific questions ask away......I might not answer till morning though (putting kids to bed!)

 

[Papa Deuce]

LOL! OK, I was thinking she wasn't 2yo!

Pretty room. I had a purple room when I was a little girl.

Our corn snake wasn't purple though. I guess they come in different shades!

Corn snakes come in LOTS of colors - most of them quite beautiful!

 

[kaabost]

Corn snakes are great pets! We always keep our snakes in large Rubbermaid storage boxes with many tiny drilled holes for air. The boxes that are translucent but slightly milky are best. Snakes aren't social creatures, they are more content being slightly hidden and separated from any potential threat. The Rubbermaid lid will keep your snake safe from your four playful legged friends. Also make sure that you include a hide box. Our snakes rarely venture out of their hide boxes............although they are firendly and relaxed when we handle them.

 

[kaabost]

Oh yeah, if you can, get a juvenile (not baby....to risky) corn snake. Their color pattern will change quite a bit as they mature. Your DD will probably appreciate that.

 

[ilovepcot]

He was trained to eat live pinkies, but will now eat the frozen/thawed kind.

If you have any specific questions ask away......I might not answer till morning though (putting kids to bed!)

I have one. What is a "live pinkie"?