Help with housing

[Euphoric]

I am thinking of getting a cornsnake after a "Blizzard" or "Snow" morph (Not really sure which one) caught my eye at a petstore.

However, I need to house one preferably in a tub probably that will be in the closet because

1. I still live with my mother who is scared of snakes. If its outta site, its outta mind.
2. I have enough space issues anyways.

I need some solid answers on what size and heating.
This s a picture of a tub I keep under my bed.This is what I want the tube to be shaped like (Which i figure will be ok for the snake..again if not please ask) but probably not that big until it gets older.
This tub is 7 inches deep.
I know they need a 20 gal as adults so if I can just get a tub size right now that would be great.

Also, how to make holes/go about doing it

Also, I was thinking if it would be possible (Don't laugh if this sounds dumb lol) if I can store the bin under my bed with breathing holes on the side. I don't see why not but you never know.

I plan to use aspen bedding because its easier to clean than the chips and its more pleasing that newspaper and I hate the fact the snakes always hide underneath the carpet.I have read that the aspen is ok, if its not please inform me.

I know they need a UTH so I would like to know how to put one under a plastic tub,If i need to go the route of [Bheat tape and ect[/B] I see for the gecko racks can someone please tell me what I exactly need and where I can get it?

I am horrible at these things

I boldeld the questions since I know this is kinda "texty"Please and thank you for your help

 

[Euphoric]

Also (the edit button is being gay)I could opt for this (A new one..not my sisters decorated one lol) even though it has three compartments (Hey more room for others right? lol)

Its 7 in deep and 13 inch long.

But again I would need help with air holes/heating

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

First of all, whatever you put a corn snake in has to be 100% escape-proof! These snakes are known for their escape abilities!

That being said, adult corn snakes are most often kept in 32 quart boxes similar to the one you have pictured above. I wouldn't suggest you use that "chest-of-drawers" thing to keep a corn snake in, as there look to be plenty of cracks it can slip through! Depending on the size snake you're planning on getting, you may not need a container this big to start out with. Something half that size could be plenty of space. Just make sure it offers good air exchange. Then put in a hide and water dish (preferably one the snake can soak in) and you'll be all set.

As for the heat source, heat mats are really ideal. Best of Luck, and be sure to show it off when it's home!

 

[Euphoric]

yeah I am thinking of doing the first set up for sure.
The tub pictured is a 41 qt but I am going to go buy some smaller ones because I am pretty sure I will be getting babies...
probably a 28 qt so it can go up to a yearling and then I can transter to the 41 qt.

I am just trying to figure out how to poke holes. Someone told me a drill but I live in a house of women...we don't even own a dril...

 

[MSMD]

A soldering iron works even better than a drill. It won't leave the sharp 'buildup' around the holes that you will have to deal with removing. I've used a drill and now all I use is the soldering iron. MUCH easier/nicer. And if you don't already have one in the house, you should be able to pick a cheap one up for $5-$10. It's definitely worth having one on hand with reptiles! :yes:

Also, everyone I know that has tried to convert the plastic-type drawer units into housing has had escapees. And that's just with Leos. I would imagine it would be much easier for a snake, albeit a baby Corn to escape. I would think one of the singular tubs would be much better.

Good luck!

 

[Euphoric]

Ok will do. I am taking as much time as possible to plan things out accordingly..

Well I decided to actually do milksnakes.
I found that corn snakes really didn't look as good as adults as they do babies, and in the end milksnakes are worth the $100-200 more investment. Plus, they come in better colors IMO

I am still researching morphs but I am pretty sure I got what I want picked out
(I will not make the same mistake as I did with my leos...instead of buying any morph that I though was cool I am going to research the morphs and get the ones I really want...even if its $400 compared to $100...if I did that with my leos I probably would have SAVED money in the long run)

1. Albino Tangerine Milksnake (Costing around $300 I have seen...)
2. Blizzard ($175-200....I probably will make this one my first investment)
3. I think its an ablino lavender striped? I can't remember full name..its white with a yellow stripe. (I have only found two ads for this kind...both where around $200+)

And if I ever get a huge wad of cash to blow I want a pied ball python...
Good luck considering they were a couple grand...jeeseh...

 

[lytlesnake]

Okay, I have a ton of milk and king snakes, so let me help you out a little here. The first snake you mentioned is a Honduran Milksnake, Lampropeltis Triangulum Hondurensis. So the morph is an Albino Tangerine Honduran Milk Snake. I have a pair of them and they're wonderful snakes. My female is between 5' and 6' long now, she's my biggest snake. Hondurans are sometimes a bit jumpy (most milks are anyway), but the albinos are generally more relaxed. Great morph! Oh, and you can get them for $100 these days. I wish they were worth more, but the bottom has really fallen out of the Honduran market.

As far as a Blizzard goes, I don't believe there is a Blizzard morph in the Milk Snake world. You can find Cal Kings that are called Blizzards, but there is no Blizzard Milk. There is a Snow milk though, and again, it's a Honduran. So the morph is Snow Honduran. They're going for around $275 this year. A Snow Honduran is a double recessive trait, a cross between Anerythristic and Albino. They are really beautiful, and I don't have any yet!

There is also no such thing as a Lavender Milk Snake, but there are Cal Kings and Florida Kings that are Lavenders. Both Floridana and California Kings are beautiful snakes as well. There are some really interesting morphs in both lately.

If you're set on a Milk Snake though, let me give you a few other suggestions. Andean Milk Snakes are really cool, they're also known as Andes Mountain Kings. They are beautiful, docile, and they have a neat beaded texture to their skin, as opposed to the smoother scales that other milks and kings have.

Also Sinaloan or Nelson's milks are very popular and beautiful. They're pretty affordable too, and they don't grow as large as Hondurans or Andeans.... might be good for your closet.

Another really nice variety of milk is the Thayer's Milk Snake, or Thayeri. They are very beautiful, docile, and again, smaller than others. Also, interestingly, they hatch out in several completely different morphs. Some are solid black, some are tricolors, and some are an amazing peach color. The peach ones are known as Leonis Phase.

Mexican milks are cool too. Let us know what you end up with. The kingsnake classifieds have a ton of good deals. If I were you I'd probably go with a Nelson's, a Sinaloan, or a Thayeri.

 

[Euphoric]

Oh see I was just going threw ads and I realized you were right! They were California kings!
What are the differences?

Albino Nelsons are really cute actually, and really really affordable!
And wow sinaloans are pretty too! (Agian..the albino...lol) And again cheaper!
How large do they get?

This is why I am taking more time to research. I decided to finish my leo collection first that way I have plenty of time to learn!
I am more into the albino strains more than "normal" colors..even with pueblans and stuff I am more into the white ones I am seeing and the oranges!


And hey where can I get a tangerine for 100? The store is selling them for like 250...
I can't find cheaper than that!

And hey if anyone knows of another discussion fourm I would like to know!

 

[Euphoric]

*edit button not working

Sinaloans are beautiful, but many of them have a ugly face. I would have to be picky.

But i came across some albino nelsons for a good price...
And....soooo....tempted....tooo...buy....

 

[lytlesnake]

Here's a link that tells you roughly how large each subspecies of king or milk snake gets.

http://www.pitt.edu/~mcs2/herp/Lampropeltis.html

The best deals can usually be found in the classifieds section at kingsnake.com.

http://market.kingsnake.com/index.php?cat=59

I've definitely seen tang albino hondos advertised for $100 this year. You're right though, they're usually a bit more. Oh, I just saw one on there for $125, and it wouldn't have to be shipped all that far either. And there is a nice one for $100 too! If you don't see the ads PM me and I'll send you the links. Note, I'm not selling these and don't know the sellers either, just trying to help you out.

Also check this site, geckoforums does have a colubrids classifieds section, and I've seen plenty of nice milk snakes advertised here.

There's lots of nice Thayeri available right now too, but not albinos. Well, there are a few albinos, but they're crossed with Ruthveni to get the albino gene in there, and they're expensive. There's no true albino Pueblan either, the albino gene comes from Ruthveni. Nothing wrong with that though, unless you're one of these hardcore purists that hates hybrids. Just get a snake(s) that catches your eye, that's the most important thing.

Again, the Nelsoni or Sinaloans, being smaller milks, would be great for keeping in your closet. You can get a Nelson's or a Sinaloan for really cheap and they're neat little snakes. Just make sure they can't escape. You could start with 15 qt. Sterilite 1754 tubs, that would give them plenty of room. You'll have to rig the lid so they can't escape somehow though. Something with a locking lid might be better. Just don't get those Rubbermaid ones with the snap on lids. They're so hard to get open that it will drive you nuts, and your snakes will freak out while you're fiddling trying to get the damn lid open!

 

[lytlesnake]

So are you getting your Tangerine Albino Honduran girl this week?