Menu
|
I created this
as a basic care sheet for Rat and Corn Snakes in general. If you
have any modifications to this page, please email me at
CRToon83@gmail.com.
Thanks. -Chris
Housing -
It is recommended
that your snakes are housed in an vivarium with length approximately
1/2-2/3rds
long as they are, height and depth approx. 1/3-1/2 their length.
You can
house in larger vivariums if you provide lots of cover, so they can
feel
safe. If you put a small snake in a large bare tank they will be
extremely
stressed...causing multiple possible problems.
Substrate -
There are a variety of substrates that can be used, from
newspaper, astroturf, aspen (very popular), or a number of manufactured
substrates
from
pet stores. I keep astroturf in my tanks, and I have a second
piece for
every tank so once a week I take it out, put the new one in, then take
the
other one out and spray it off and lay it on the shower curtain rod to
drip
dry. Newspaper could be used also and just throw it away and
replace,
however this is not as aesthetically pleasing. If you use bark or
aspen, you can just "spot clean" where the snake will use the
bathroom. Also
don't use too much, especially if you are using an UTH (Under Tank
Heater). If you use an UTH and have a thick bed of substrate, the
snakes
like to burrow at times. An UTH heater that is providing an 85
degree
temperature on the top of 3 inches of aspen is probably over 95 degrees
on the
surface, which could cause serious burns to your snake.
Heating/Lighting
- You can use an under tank heater (UTH) or heat
light.
There is no special light needed for rat snakes, in fact bright lights
are not
ideal in the vivarium. Fluorescent black lights for nocturnal
viewing
will not harm your snake. Rat snakes are generally nocturnal
animals, so
the bright light could possibly scare them more than anything. If
you wish
to use a
black light, you can get one from Home Depot or Wal-Mart for a fraction
of the
price of one at a pet store. It is the same thing. No
matter if you
use a black light or UTH, you will need to get a thermometer. I
recommend
going to Wal-Mart, you can get a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer for
approximately $13.95, and it shows you both temperatures on one
screen.
You want to keep your temperatures about 75-85 for babies, 70-80 for
adults. A
dimmer or thermostat
is also a requirement for either
method. You can pick up one of these at Home Depot for $10 (A
Table-Lamp
dimmer. Plugs in and you plug the light into it.)
Water bowl -
Keep it on the cool side of the tank. It will stay
5-10
degrees cooler than the ambient air temperature, and the snake can get
in there
to cool off if needed; so get one large enough for the snake to fit
in. I
use a flower pot basin from Home Depot..doens't look half bad
either.
Change the water and clean your dish twice a week.
Hiding spots -
Minimum of two; one on the cool side, one on the warm
side. This way the snake doesn’t have to decide between being
comfy and
being warm/cool. Almost anything can be used for a good hide for
the
snake...one of the more aesthetically pleasing ones is a ceramic hide made
by
Exo-Terra which you can purchase from your local pet store
(LPS). You
could also take a coconut and cut it in half, remove the meat, cut one
hole in each,
and that will create a hide. However, for smaller snakes you need
smaller
hides...they need to feel safe. You could also cut down a yogurt
cup or
small plastic cup with a hole in it (upside down of course). You
could
also use a cardboard paper towel tube stapled at one end...the options
are
endless.
Climbing structure
- This is not a requirement, but rat snakes LOVE to
climb. If you are going to take twigs or whatnot from the trees
outside
make sure you either soak them in a 5% bleach solution, or spray with
pro-vent
a mite (or something of the like). I have some 1/2" wooden
dowels
cut and held together with zip ties, and artificial vines hung all
over them,
and my snakes love it. Your snakes as babies will probably stay
in their
hides or on these branches, as these are the two places they feel the
safest.
Food - I,
as well as most all knowledgeable snake owners, reommend frozen/thawed
mice or rats. The reason why is because when the snakes grow
older they will need bigger mice/rats...and the snake may not be
hungry, therefore the mouse or rat may feel like attacking your
snake. This can cause serious damage to your snake... as well as
large vet bills. You can order frozen rodents in bulk
quantity. My favorite business...the only one I will order from
any more... is Big Cheese
Rodents. They give honest shipping prices, small box charge
but thats better than a BS shipping cost, like others do. They
vacuum seal rodents in bags of 50, and they can stay in your freezer
for up to two years, saving you on shipping charges.
|