>>29077773I'd recommend that you research before buying. I say use the ReptilesMagizine care sheet and ask /herp/ on /an/ when you can. Now for some personal tips from me.
-Have a hide on BOTH the warm and cool side of the tank, so your snake doesn't have to value security over comfort.
-DO NOT buy from a pet store, find a local reptile show (they usually open up once a month) and take people's buisness cards. Use these cards to look them up on the FaunaClassifield forum to see if they are reputable and sell healthy animals. Do not by any snakes that have mites, refuse frozen thawed, or have not eaten at least two meals yet. Ask the breeder on their feeding schedule.
-Give your snake at least 2 weeks alone when you buy it to let it settle before feeding and handling. Do NOT interact with your snake after they ate until they fully digest the meal, or else they will regurgitate, which harms them.
-NEVER USE SAND AS A SUBSTRATE, THIS WILL KILL THEM
-Avoid pine and cedar bedding, they will harm your snake
-Do not use heat rocks!
-get a cage that opens from the side and not above, if you pick them up from above it stresses them.
-Make sure 3/4 sides of the tank are covered to ensure the snake feels safe.
-Get a bedding that they can burrow in, corn snakes live to tunnel. Don't try and force them in the open so you can see them!
-Do not use wild-caught rodents, order from a reputable source like rodent-pro
-These snakes live a long time! Think about the resposabilitys before you purchase.
-Have a thermomometer on both the hot and cool end of the tank
-Replace water immediately if the snake soils in it, completely clean hides and props and replace all bedding every 30 days.
This is a small sample of things to do. Reasearch and get in contact with local reptile breeders.
