A Couple Questions on Feeder Size, Digestion, ect

[ShenziSixaxis]

I did some thinking... XD

Size
My female corn was fed 2 pinkies, that were about an inch long including the tail, the day after I got her (after seeing her explore my bed instead of HIDING), and I noticed once they were about 1/4 the way down her body, I could barely notice them. So I'm moving her up to fuzzies.

However, I'd like it if everyone looked at this video of the feeding:
link

They're NOTHING for her. I'm thinking she can handle fuzzies (not peach fuzzies), agreed? I have no idea how much she weighs, but she's about 14-17 inches long. And since I'd like to order some from a company online, anyone think 50 fuzzies would be enough before she's ready for the next size? And then after that, would 50 hoppers perhaps be enough for a while?

Also, I'm curious about one thing. I know it's normal to feed double pinks to young snakes, but when they're at fuzzy/hopper size, is it okay/normal to feed two items at a time if the corn doesn't look like it can handle the next size up?

To Slit, Or Not To Slit
So I've heard people her mention putting some slits in f/t prey and that it helps with digestion. However, I recall only seeing it mentioned when someone had had a regurge from their corn. I doubt it's needed for healthy corns, but is it perfectly okay, even good, to slit prey before feeding it to a corn?

Poop- Normal, Not, Or Regurge?
I'm pretty sure after those two pinkies my corn defecated just fine, but the little black sliver I found in the aspen was TINY. So, is it normal to have a small amount of poo, or an amount that's around the size of the prey item(s)? Also, in general, what's healthy poo look like and what's a good signal for something wrong?
Also, I'm curious about what a regurge looks like. I've heard a few people say it stinks horribly, but I don't particularly have a great sense of smell thanks to countless sinus infections and year-round allergies.

The Prey Bump
I've read in Kathy and Bill Love's book that the prey item in a corn should be visible for 24-48 hours, and a good measurement of prey size is 1.0-1.5 times the largest diameter of the corn. With a large item, is it normal for the bump to be visible longer than the normal 1-2 days? What's the longest a bump should be noticeable before saying either the prey's way too big or something's wrong?



Many thanks in advance. Sorry if I'm starting to annoy anyone with my constant questions. :awcrap:

 

[wstphal]

Also, I'm curious about one thing. I know it's normal to feed double pinks to young snakes, but when they're at fuzzy/hopper size, is it okay/normal to feed two items at a time if the corn doesn't look like it can handle the next size up?

To Slit, Or Not To Slit
So I've heard people her mention putting some slits in f/t prey and that it helps with digestion. However, I recall only seeing it mentioned when someone had had a regurge from their corn. I doubt it's needed for healthy corns, but is it perfectly okay, even good, to slit prey before feeding it to a corn?

Poop- Normal, Not, Or Regurge?
I'm pretty sure after those two pinkies my corn defecated just fine, but the little black sliver I found in the aspen was TINY. So, is it normal to have a small amount of poo, or an amount that's around the size of the prey item(s)? Also, in general, what's healthy poo look like and what's a good signal for something wrong?

Also, I'm curious about what a regurge looks like. I've heard a few people say it stinks horribly, but I don't particularly have a great sense of smell thanks to countless sinus infections and year-round allergies.

OK, here's what I have learned from reading & a few months with my snakes.

1) Some people do feed doubles of prey items other than pinkies. Since in the wild corn snakes would eat 2 if they could, it seems like it should be fine as long as the total meal size isn't too big. And I'm sure that using up the last few as a 2 item meal would be fine.
2) small snakes seem to make small amounts of poo. Attitude is on double pinks & A's poos are quite small.

 

[Nanci]

I'm thinking she can handle fuzzies (not peach fuzzies), agreed?

I'd start her off on peach fuzzies. I think 50 will be _plenty_! You may even want to order 25, if you can. Then hope there is some variation and start her off with the very smallest. Large jumps in prey size are generally not a good idea, even if you're sure the snake can handle it.

And then after that, would 50 hoppers perhaps be enough for a while?

Plenty! Again, I might order 25 if that's an option. And then 25 or 50 weanlings.

Also, I'm curious about one thing. I know it's normal to feed double pinks to young snakes, but when they're at fuzzy/hopper size, is it okay/normal to feed two items at a time if the corn doesn't look like it can handle the next size up?

It's not customery to feed a snake doubles beyond the pink size, unless it's a larger snake that prefers (won't accept) large prey. But then when you feed adults, some people go back to doubles. I'd be careful.

To Slit, Or Not To Slit
So I've heard people her mention putting some slits in f/t prey and that it helps with digestion. However, I recall only seeing it mentioned when someone had had a regurge from their corn. I doubt it's needed for healthy corns, but is it perfectly okay, even good, to slit prey before feeding it to a corn?

I slit everyone's prey until they are on adults. Here's the chart from the study, which was done by a vet.

Benefits: The snake grows faster, and gets out of the fragile baby stage faster. The prey is easier to digest, so regurges may be less likely to happen.

Counterindications: none

It's up to you.

Poop- Normal, Not, Or Regurge?

Baby snake poo looks like a black streak, if you can find it! Nearly every regurge I have smelled, even from a 13 gram baby, has smelled like there was a full-size dead body rotting somewhere in my house. Plus it has this pinkish-brown color to it.


The Prey Bump
I've read in Kathy and Bill Love's book that the prey item in a corn should be visible for 24-48 hours, and a good measurement of prey size is 1.0-1.5 times the largest diameter of the corn. With a large item, is it normal for the bump to be visible longer than the normal 1-2 days? What's the longest a bump should be noticeable before saying either the prey's way too big or something's wrong?
:

I like to see it gone after 48 hours. If there's a bump after 5-7 days, I would be concerned. Actually, I'd be very worried. 1-1.5 times the diameter of the snake is a good rule of thumb. If the prey is way too big, you'll almost always get a regurge. You DO NOT want that to happen. If you look at a prey item, and just have a bad feeling that it is too large, go with your gut and don't feed it. Even if it means that snake missing a meal. With smaller prey items, say pinks and fuzzies, it's possible to cut the prey into a smaller, more appripriately-sized meal.