Movie 3 of 'Snake' the Corn Snake having his dinner
Like 0 Dislike 0 Published on 23 Oct 2011
I've cracked it! I think that I am getting the hang of this camera of mine now. This is not a bad shot of Snake enjoying yet another Gourmet meal.
He is eating a defrosted humanely killed pinky mouse. He is only a few months old, so therefore I think that he should have at least two meals a week. Adult corn snakes should normally be fed one meal a week, which is usually adult mice or rats, depending on their size. I always purchase his food on the day and let it defrost and give it to him immediately, as I do not like the idea of having a fridge full of dead baby mice. I am fastidious when it comes to hygiene in the kitchen.
I have grown quite fond of this lovely creature. I used to fear snakes, but I now think that it wasn't fear, but a lack of understanding of snakes. They are adorable and wonderfully relaxing to hold and let them move through your fingers. He was originally bought for my daughter, Karen, but just like all the other pets that I have bought her, it was a five minute wonder and its now me that has sole care of the beast.
He is in a fish tank which I have converted into a vivarium. Corn snakes do not like too much heat, so they do not need to have heating in the vivarium. They are native to Central America. There is a light in the lid of the vivarium, but I only turn it on to show him off, as he prefers to crawl under one of the pieces of driftwood to be in darkness.
He has been provided with a deep water bowl, as he likes to take frequent drinks and baths. He also tends to use his water bowl as a toilet, so I frequently change his water. I often find him floating in the water bowl. He usually takes long soaks when he is about to shed his skin, which corn snakes do about once a month. This assists with the smooth shedding of his skin in one piece. I always check that his skin has been shed in tact and that none of the old skin is left on his body, as that can cause sore areas. They go off their food when they are just about to shed, as it is more difficult to do so after a big meal. This had me really worried at first, when he refused to eat a pinky, but I needn't have worried. They tend to go quiet and their eyes will cloud over when they are about to shed, so if this happens, then it is completely normal.
Taking on a corn snake is a big commitment and they should never be purchased on a whim. You have to bear in mind that they can live for over 20 years and can get quite large - at least a yard in length when fully grown. I am aware that he will eventually outgrow the tank that he is in at the moment and will need a much larger one. I have heard that reptiles only grow as big as their environments will let them. I am now sure how true this is for snakes, but I know it to be so with some fish.
I look forward to many years of fun with Snake. I never knew what good pets snakes make.