need advice first time snake owner

[mr.allen]

So I got a corn snake he is between 3-5 feet in length I just got him from a neighbor that was moving they told me to feed him medium size rats and to feed him in his tank but iv also heard to feed him dead mice and in a different tank to but he hasn't eat since I got him not sure if he's not hungry or what but iv tried to feed him the past three days and seems interested but let's the rat run over him and curlys up in his hiding spot or sore in his tank. And just some general advice would also be helpful to thank u

[fyrefocks]

Step 1: Remove the rat from the snake enclosure.
Step 2: Never do that again, please.
Step 3: Purchase Kathy Love's book here (http://cornutopia.com/Corn%20Utopia%20on%20the%20Web/-%20BOOKS%20POSTERS%20herp%20for%20sale%20Cornutopi a%20corn%20snakes%20cornsnakes.htm).

[RobbiesCornField]

Okay. First and foremost, welcome to the forum!
Second, between 3-5 feet is rather vague. Medium rats are probably a bit too big for your corn. Also, if you're feeding rats (and even mice), you shouldn't be feeding live, but pre-killed or frozen/thawed. Can you please post a picture so we can help you with the proper sized prey?
Third, punctuation is your friend. It will go a long way in helping people to take you seriously. I'm not picking on you, just trying to help out.

[mr.allen]

Not sure how to upload pictures to the site or I would have put one up

[RobbiesCornField]

Not sure how to upload pictures to the site or I would have put one up

Photobucket, Facebook, MySpace, we can talk you through posting pictures from pretty much any platform, even iPhone/iPads.

[hypnoctopus]

You can also upload photos through picturepush.com, without signing up for an account.

[MysticExotics]

Welcome to the forum & to owning snakes!

A lot of people here will tell you not to feed live. The reason(s) for that, is it can be very dangerous for the snake.
Yes, in the wild, snakes will kill & eat live prey, but our animals are not in the wild, they are confined.
Putting a live rodent in with the snake, can quickly result in injury (& sometimes death) to the snake, if/when the rodent fights back.
F/T (frozen thawed) or F/K (fresh killed-meaning you kill it before giving it to the snake) is much safer for the snake.
Plus, while snakes are generally efficient at killing their prey, it's not an instant death for the rodent, nor is it painless.
It's much more humane for both animals to feed F/T or F/K.

[mr.allen]

http://m.facebook.com/?_rdr#!/photo.php?fbid=429709267069031&id=100000898830733&set=a.162446493795311.28958.100000898830733&__user=100002124074578. Probably not the best pic but its what I got for now

[mr.allen]

http:// http://m.facebook.com/?_rdr#!/photo.php?fbid=429709267069031&id=100000898830733&set=a.162446493795311.28958.100000898830733&__user=100002124074578

[RobbiesCornField]

Hmmm... I can't seem to view the photo, whether I click the link, or try to use image tags. You could e-mail me a photo, and I'd be more than happy to post it for you!

[mr.allen]

What is it telling u when u try and view it I might have my block on Facebook so only my friends can see it

[dave partington]

I cannot see the photo it is telling me:
Brad only shares some information publicly. If you know Brad, send him a friend request or message him.

I guess you remove the rat and do not leave the rat in there with him when you are not there to watch
(or the rat might get hungry and eat the snake, it has been known to happen)

[mr.allen]

K I changed my settings it should work now but if not just add me on there its in my mobile uploads ill get more pics on Facebook soon and make a file of pics of my snake

[foghat]

It is really easy to post a picture. you do not need to upload it first to a 3rd party site first. Instead of using Quick Reply, click on 'Go Advanced'. Then click the paper clip icon - you can then upload an image right from your hard drive.

[RobbiesCornField]

It is really easy to post a picture. you do not need to upload it first to a 3rd party site first. Instead of using Quick Reply, click on 'Go Advanced'. Then click the paper clip icon - you can then upload an image right from your hard drive.

He had asked how to post from an iPhone. That won't work on an iPhone, even with QuickPic or Picup.

[foghat]

He had asked how to post from an iPhone. That won't work on an iPhone, even with QuickPic or Picup.

Hmmm, I can't see where the OP asks about posting from an iphone...

"Not sure how to upload pictures to the site or I would have put one up"

[RobbiesCornField]

Hmmm, I can't see where the OP asks about posting from an iphone...

"Not sure how to upload pictures to the site or I would have put one up"

My apologies. I was thinking of another thread.

[AliCat37]

He might be a bit stressed out from the move and not want to eat. I agree with everyone else, it is probably best to switch him over to f/t food so you don't have to worry about him getting chewed up. Even if he strikes and constricts immediately, it might still bite him. I have a female who is all scarred from being fed live in her past. They switch over to dead food very easily. I feed in the cages, so it is up to you if you want to keep feeding him in the cage or if you want to feed in a separate area. When you feed in the cage you do risk them ingesting their bedding, I've found that keeping the mice really dry helps keep bedding off of them. I thaw my mice out in water and then dry them off with a special "mouse" towel lol.

[foghat]

^ I find that thawing them in a small ziplock sandwich bag works great. Keeps them dry and nice and stinky. :)