Reptile Starter Kits

So you want a cornsnake you studied all of their needs, and are now confident that you have all the knowledge necessary for their care, I salute your efforts! If you have not done these things, then come back to this later, from understanding the long-term care of your cornsnake is essential before you start thinking about buying one!

This article is for those seeking a cornsnake newborns. Obviously, if you're about to get a cornsnake moderate to large, then the implementation will be greater, but the same basic principles apply!

The Vivarium Cornsnake

What vivarium companies will you need? It may be tempting to buy or sell a vivarium is big enough for you cornsnake throughout his life, from newborns to adults. There is a problem with that. Cornsnakes are agoraphobic, they do not like big spaces! If you buy a chick, then you will not want to put it directly into a 36 "x 18" x 18 vivarium! "To begin with, it will be very difficult to find a little chick in a vivarium of this size, but also to Unless the tank is filled with plants and other hiding places, you will cornsnake feeling of insecurity and stress. This can lead to psychological problems such as fasting, which is the last thing you want!

Even if you do not want a vivarium that is too small either. Cornsnakes grow very fast! The vivarium ideal companies to start with, as agreed by most experts, is about 18 "x 12 space. This is generally large enough for a house cornsnake newborns for about a year, according to the rate of growth. The ideal time to upgrade to an adult size vivarium will be when your cornsnake approximately 2.5 feet long. The height of the vivarium is less important since cornsnakes spend most of their lives on the ground.

Exo Terra faunarium large apartment (PT-2310) is the most popular vivarium for newborns cornsnakes and is included in many starter kits.

Heating

This is probably one of the most important aspects of a cornsnake established. Cornsnakes, like all reptiles, need a temperature gradient. Because they are cold-blooded, the only way for them to regulate their body temperature is to move from warmer areas to cool areas and vice versa.

There are several ways to provide your cornsnake with a temperature gradient much cheaper and simpler way is to use a heat mat. You need a heat mat that covers one third of the size of the vivarium, so if you decided to go with a 18 "x 12 vivarium", then you need a heat mat around 6 " x 12 ". It does not matter too much if an inch or two bigger or smaller, but you certainly do not want to cover more than half of the vivarium floor space, not less to third.

Place the heat mat in the vivarium on one side, so that side is hotter than the other.

The ideal temperature gradient that you want to create for your cornsnake is 85F (30C) on the warm side (above the heat mat) and 75F (24C) on the cool side.

YOU NEED a thermostat!

Do not let anyone tell you otherwise! The surface temperature of a heat mat can go unregulated 150F (60C)! Not only that, but the indoor temperature can vary by more than 8 degrees Celsius. So, for you and the safety of cornsnake's, please make sure that any starter kit you buy comes with a thermostat, this will reduce the risk of fire, overheating of the tank the base of your vivarium fusion, and it will save you money in energy bills! Why do not you want a thermostat? "

Thermometer

A thermostat is not very useful if you do not have a thermometer to check the temperature! Many reptile thermometers are designed to be pasted on the side of the vivarium. Unfortunately, this will only measure the air temperature, so it really needs.