Help!

Ok, I bought my new baby corn snake a cute fake log decoration for her tank as a hide, only problem is the silly decoration has a place she can hide that is undetectable! For a whole day I had thought she escaped somehow even though I knew there was just no way until she finally peeped her head out of that log! My problem is she won't come out of that hiding place! I even tried luring her out by placing a pinkie in her tank, but it's been there all day now and she's still not coming out. She's in a quiet room. If only I can get her out of that log then that is one decoration that's not staying in there. She does have other places to hide. I just need to know how to get her out of that log! Any suggestions?

I've heard of some people cooling off logs like that to get the snake to come out. But be careful not to cool it too much (don't stick it in the freezer). Maybe an ice pack or cold bottles of water around the log. good luck


---Kenny

I had this happen once. I could not get him out! He was in there for about two weeks before I finally caught him out of it and took away the branch as fast as I could! I tried tempting him out with food. That kind of worked. He'd stick his head out and nose the pinky then disappear again. You may have better luck with that trick. I also switched the hide to the other side of the viv. It was on the warm so I moved it to the cold. I was a nervous wreck when it happined to me but the best advice I can give is stay calm. Your snake's just fine, shes just found a snug little hole to hide in! She'll come out when she's ready. :cheers:

I've read on here, too, of people getting them out by putting ice packs on the branch. Then, when she comes out, you can seal up the hole with aquarium silicone. I have two of those pretty fake plastic branches with the hole in them.

Nanci

what's the big deal in her staying there?...just let her stay there and when she is ready she will come out....if you could stuff some bedding in the other side of the hole if there is one an slowy start to push her out...if you really want to

Apparently she's a stubborn snake. I placed a gel ice pack over the branch and she remained there. This is my 15yo daughter's b-day gift and she is upset that she's been unable to see it since Thursday. Today would have been feeding day. How long do you think I should wait until trying to feed again? I can't keep wasting pinkies, they're costly! Any other ideas on how to ease her out of hiding would be much appreciated!

I'm sorry your daughter can't see her birthday gift. But I would just let the snake be. They like small snug places to feel secure in that big new glass cave you got it in. To the snake, you've given it two choices: be cold and feel safe, or come out to get warm and face the unknown. If it was me, I'd stay cold too.

I WOULD STOP ALL ATTEMPTS TO LURE IT OUT WITH FOOD! You are training the snake to associate pinkys with danger. Wait 3-4 days from the last time you tried to give it a pinky before trying again. If you must get the snake out, try other things, but no more food.

How long have you have the snake? Most take about 5-7 days to get settled the 1st time you bring them home. And ANY changes (including new hides, decorations, substrates, etc.) would take a few days to get accustomed to all over again (for hatchlings).

We've had Cornelia for 9 days now and she's been in hiding for 4 of those days now. We fed her the day after getting her and of course let her be for a few days after feeding. My daughter has been wanting a pet snake for so long and we finally let her have one, but I guess she's just going to have to be patient during this getting accustom period. I just hope Cornelia doesn't get dehydrated or too hungry. I'm worried about Cornelia since I can't see where she's hiding and can't check to make sure everything is ok. I really appreciate everyones opinions! I'm including a pic of Cornelia.

Beautiful snake.
But you've got to tell your daughter that she might have to get used to the idea of not always being able to see her new snake. It is in their nature to hide like that, and if it isn't that hide it might be another, so don't worry if you can't always see her, she might just not want to always be seen.

Cornelia emerged from her log hide tonight! Hip Hip Hooray! That log is now no longer in her viv. She came out to explore and we finally noticed her out and about and quickly retrieved the log out of the viv. Since it had been 8 days since she last ate we put her in her feeding cage along with aspen shavings from her viv and a nice warm defrosted pinkie and in no time she was gobbling it down! We then placed her back in her viv and she was very active exploring before settling in her rock cave hide. My daughter was very excited that she can now at least see her snake again although is anxious for Friday to get here so she can hold her again. Thanks to everyone here for your support and ideas! I'm sure with us being new snake owners there will be more questions to come.

Its not a good idea to put shavings from the viv in with her when she is eating, they could be ingested and cause problems. Next time try paper towel or nothing at the bottom of the cage at all. But its good to hear that she finally came out! congrats


---Kenny

Thank you so much for that advice Kenny! I didn't realize that. I sure hope she didn't ingest any. If she did, will it make her sick? Oh, I hope not.