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Snakes - Cornsnakes, Pythons, Garter Snakes

Cornsnakes

Basic Statistics:

• Average age: 8-15 years.
• Age at maturity: 1.5-2 years.
• Average gestation: 2 months.
• Adult size/ weight: 900 g

General Facts

• Dietary Requirements
  - Frozen mice- these should be fully thawed, either left on paper overnight or placed in a container of warm water.
  - In general mice should not be greater in size than the snake’s widest diameter (girth).
  - Young snakes should be fed neonatal/ immature mice.
  - Most snakes should be fed every 5-7 days- this can vary with individuals.
  - Clean fresh water should be available at all times- best offered in a wide bottomed sturdy dish that’s difficult to tip over.
   
• Environmental Requirements
  - A good sized vivarium min 90 x 45 x45 cm for adults. This should contain cage furniture ie. Rocks and logs, aswell as a hideaway. A secure lid is essential to prevent escapes.
  - A primary heat source- usually an infrared lamp or a heat mat ( always use protective covering to prevent thermal burns.
  - Secondary heat source- usually a light placed at one end of the vivarium over a basking area and turned off at night.
  - Thermometer- 24-30 degrees Celcius optimal- best to place one at either end of the vivarium.
  - Lighting- Specialised full spectrum fluorescent UV light sited at least 30 cm above snake and changed every 6 months. Needs 12-14 hours light daily.
  - Humidity- Mist or spray regularly. A water bath can be provided. Hygrometer can be used to monitor (30-50%).
  - Substrate/ Bedding- Recycled paper.

Preventative Medicine

• Most diseases in snakes are caused by poor management and inadequate environmental requirements, so correct husbandry is essential.
• Have your snake checked by your vet soon after you bring it home. Bring a faecal sample if possible.

Common Ailments

• Skin Diseases
• Poor shedding (dysecdysis) often due to low humidity, inadequate water or occasionally skin mites.
• Abcesses
• Thermal burns
• Scale rot or blisters due to poor hygiene.
• Gastrointestinal Disease
• Anorexia
• Stomatitis
• Diarrhoea- bacterial, protozoal, parasitic.
• Snakes may excrete salmonella which is zoonotic. Always exercise careful hygiene following any contact with snakes or bedding.
• Respiratory Disease
  Upper and lower respiratory tract disease. Bacterial, viral and parasitic causes.

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Pythons

Basic Statistics:

• Average lifespan 20-30 years
• Age at maturity 3-5 years.
• Average gestation 2-3 months.
• Adult size 55-90 kg. Breed dependant- ball pythons much smaller

General Facts

• Dietary Requirements
  - Frozen mice- these should be fully thawed, either left on paper overnight or placed in a container of warm water.
  - In general mice should not be greater in size than the snake’s widest diameter (girth).
  - Young snakes should be fed neonatal/ immature mice.
  - Most snakes should be fed every 5-7 days- this can vary with individuals.
  - Clean fresh water should be available at all times- best offered in a wide bottomed sturdy dish that’s difficult to tip over.
• Environmental Requirements
  - A good sized vivarium for adults. This varies depending on species. It should contain cage furniture ie. Rocks and logs, aswell as a hideaway. A secure lid is essential to prevent escapes.
  - A primary heat source- usually an infrared lamp or a heat mat ( always use protective covering to prevent thermal burns.
  - Secondary heat source- usually a light placed at one end of the vivarium over a basking area and turned off at night.
  - Thermometer- 24-30 degrees Celcius optimal- best to place one at either end of the vivarium.
  - Lighting- Specialised full spectrum fluorescent UV light sited at least 30 cm above snake and changed every 6 months. Needs 12-14 hours light daily.
  - Humidity- Mist or spray regularly. A water bath can be provided. Hygrometer can be used to monitor (30-50%).
  - Substrate/ Bedding- Recycled paper.

Preventative Medicine

• Most diseases in snakes are caused by poor management and inadequate environmental requirements, so correct husbandry is essential.
• Have your snake checked by your vet soon after you bring it home. Bring a faecal sample if possible.

Common Ailments

• Skin Diseases
• Poor shedding (dysecdysis) often due to low humidity, inadequate water or occasionally skin mites.
• Abcesses
• Thermal burns
• Scale rot or blisters due to poor hygiene.
• Gastrointestinal Disease
• Anorexia
• Stomatitis
• Diarrhoea- bacterial, protozoal, parasitic.
• Snakes may excrete salmonella which is zoonotic. Always exercise careful hygiene following any contact with snakes or bedding.
• Respiratory Disease
  Upper and lower respiratory tract disease. Bacterial, viral and parasitic causes.
  Hypovitaminosis C may cause gingival bleeding and skin rupture.

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Garter Snakes

Basic Statistics:

• Average Lifespan 6-10 years.
• Age at Maturity 1.5- 2 years.
• Average gestation 2-3 months.
• Adult size 150-220 g

General Facts

• Dietary Requirements
  - Frozen mice- these should be fully thawed. In general mice should not be greater in size than the snake’s widest diameter.
  - Young snakes should be fed immature mice.
  - This diet can be supplemented with fish fillets and earthworms.
  - Garter snakes on an earthworm only diet need to be fed more frequently than those fed mice and will also need calcium supplementation.
  - In the wild, garters eat frogs and toads but these tend to be difficult to source.
  - Avoid fish only diets as many fish types contain thiamine which can lead to hypovitaminosis B1 causing neurological signs.
  - Clean, fresh water should be available at all times- best offered in a wide bottomed sturdy dish that is difficult to tip over.
   
• Environmental Requirements
  - Vivarium 5-25 gallon sized depending on age/ size of snake.
  - A good sized vivarium for adults. This varies depending on species. It should contain cage furniture ie. - Rocks and logs, aswell as a hideaway. A secure lid is essential to prevent escapes.
  - A primary heat source- usually an infrared lamp or a heat mat ( always use protective covering to prevent thermal burns.
  - Secondary heat source- usually a light placed at one end of the vivarium over a basking area and turned off at night.
  - Thermometer- 24-30 degrees Celcius optimal- best to place one at either end of the vivarium.
  - Lighting- Specialised full spectrum fluorescent UV light sited at least 30 cm above snake and changed every 6 months. Needs 12-14 hours light daily.
  - Humidity- Mist or spray regularly. A water bath can be provided. Hygrometer can be used to monitor (30-50%).
  - Substrate/ Bedding- Recycled paper.
  - Water bath should be provided.

Preventative Medicine

• Most diseases in snakes are caused by poor management and inadequate environmental requirements, so correct husbandry is essential.
• Have your snake checked by your vet soon after you bring it home. Bring a faecal sample if possible.

Common Ailments

• Skin Diseases
• Poor shedding (dysecdysis) often due to low humidity, inadequate water or occasionally skin mites.
• Abcesses
• Thermal burns
• Scale rot or blisters due to poor hygiene.
• Gastrointestinal Disease
• Anorexia
• Stomatitis
• Diarrhoea- bacterial, protozoal, parasitic.
• Snakes may excrete salmonella which is zoonotic. Always exercise careful hygiene following any contact with snakes or bedding.
• Respiratory Disease
  Upper and lower respiratory tract disease. Bacterial, viral and parasitic causes.
• Parasitism more common in garters fed earthworm, fish and amphibians.
  Vitamin B1 deficiency (caused by thiamiase in certain fish)- causes neurological signs.
  Scale rot/ blister disease more common- avoid too high humidity.

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