How do I care for my new baby corn snake properly?

Question

I just bought A baby cornsnake today along with A ten gallon snake terrarium, I was told it came with everything this snake will need hides, heating, bedding etc. This is my first snake It's small & very fast when I put my hand in the tank to fill the water dish or move something in it's new home it either tries to strike my hand or moves away very quickly. So my questions are, when & how often do I feed it? how long do I wait to handle my new snake, & How do I go about picking it up for the first time, I'm not sure how too? as I said before this is my first snake & it seems to be very nippy. Thank You!

Answer 1

A ten gallon tank will work for a little bit.  It will need a larger cage soon (before a year) it will be fine in a 29 gallon long for a while.  As an adult it will eventually need a 40 gallon long.  I use critter cages they are made for reptiles they have locking lids, they catch in the back and then you can put a small lock in front.  To set up the tank put an appropriately sized under tank heater on one side of the tank (just go by what the back of the box tells you on size).  The best substrate is aspen bedding so that the snake can burrow in it.  Put about an inch of substrate on the bottom of the tank and put the snakes hide on the warm side of the tank then add more substrate in the tank so that the snake can totally hide itself in it.  Since the snake burrows I don’t put a hide on the cold side of the tank I just use one on the hot side so that the snake can be on top of the substrate but still hidden when they want warmth.  Put the water dish on the cool side.  Put some kind of driftwood (pet store) in so that the snake can use it to climb on and also to rub up against when the snake is shedding.  Also a digital thermometer is needed to make sure the hot side doesn’t get too hot (84 F is the hottest you want it 78 – 81 F is perfect).  I don’t monitor the cool side of my kings or corns because as long as the hot side is in a good range then if they get too cold they can always get warmer.

You probably shouldn’t handle your snake until after he has eaten at least one time.  That will give him time to settle in and get used to his surroundings.  Feed the snake once a week while it is a baby a mouse a tiny bit bigger than the thickest part of your snake.  There should be a little bump in your snake after it eats.  To feed your snake put it in a feeding tub.  Get a plastic box, large enough for your snake to fit in it comfortably.  Get the short boxes…the box should be about the height to go under a bed.  Drill several small holes along the sides at the top for airflow.  Put the snake in and then put his food in.  After your snake has eaten give him about 20 minutes or so to get the food down and then put him back up in his house.  Give him 24 hours to digest the food a bit before you handle him.

When I get tiny baby snake like a corn I don’t start handling them until they are about 6 – 8 months.  I don’t want to take the risk of the little thing getting away…they are so small and fast.  Finding a snake that size in a house would be impossible.  When you pick it up pick it up midsection and then put the other hand under the front part of your snake for support.  If he is nippy expect a few little bites.  The only time the bit hurts is when you pull away then their little teeth can rip your skin, that doesn’t feel too good but if you don’t pull it won't hurt at all.

  

Answer 2

Get rid of it.