• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

Stuck Snake?

zzrayz

zzrayz

New member
I was handling my young corn and I let him play in a short piece of plastic pipe. He was crawling through it and then he doubled back until he was wedged in the really good. I took this as a sign he was done being handled, also I had no way to get him out except to push him out the other side with a stick or something. I figured that would not be a good idea as I would probably injure him, so I left him in the tube and put it in his viv. I checked on him today after work and it doesn't look like he has moved.

It has been over 24 hours. Is it possible he got himself stuck? I know they like tight places but is it possible he can't get out?

Is it even possible form him to get tangled up. The tube is just wide enough form him to fit through twice.
Maybe he is coming out at night and just getting back into it during the day. Maybe this is his new favorite hide. I case it is not and he is stuck, How long should I wait before I start to worry?
 
You got to get us a pick of this! I am having a hard time getting a picture of what you are saying in my head.

Wayne
 
I once said that a snake wouldn’t get stuck and will get out on his own. We had a fellow here a couple of months ago that proved us wrong. I still think the snake should be able to get out but strange things happen.

If you are convinced that he is stuck and isn’t going to make it otherwise, I would try to use a dowel and gently push his head back and “undouble” him.

I think the chance of hurting the snake is high. So I would not do this unless I felt there was no other answer.

Good luck. Keep us posted.
 
Sitting here thinking about it, Why not tempt him/her out with a tasty mouse...OR if you must.... Take a soft cloth and find a flat ended dow or large pencil. Push the cloth in the hole with the dow. Only apply enough pressure to slowly move him or her. I had to do something similar with a piece of grape vine.... I don't know about stuck but They sure can hide in the tightest places.
 
Sorry for the quality all I have is a cell phone right now
 

Attachments

  • 0602091653b.jpg
    0602091653b.jpg
    99 KB · Views: 120
Wow, that really is doubled over. Is that pipe open at two ends? If so, you should be able to gently push it out. Some of the snakes I have get into paper towel rolls and can be a pain to get out, but usually they slide out with a little assistance.

Keep an eye on her and if she doesn't budge in the next few days and you can't move her, then you may have to go the vet or something.

Good Luck

Wayne
 
Should I be try to force him out yet? He ate 4 days ago so if he is comfortable in there he hasn't really had a reason to come out yet.
For all I know he got out last night and got back in. I don't want to risk hurting him if he is not in danger.
Should I give it some time or start trying now?
 
What happens if you either push back on his head (gently) or pinch his tail (gently)? Does he move to avoid you?
 
Both ends of the tube are open and both have the same view. All I can see is a loop on both ends. His head and tail are hidden.

I could poke a loop with my finger to see if he moves.
 
I gently touched one loop and he moved slightly and then I looked at the other end and his head is now visible. Based on the movement and head emerging from the loop I think he can get out.

Is there any reason to force him all the way out other than to make me feel a little better?
 
I'd leave him be and just keep an eye on him. I think that he will come out when he is ready. BTW, Did you try to tip him and see if you can gently shake him out?

Wayne
 
When I looked in each end I was holding the tube up and flipped it end over end. It didn't feel like he moved at all when I was turning it. I did not shake it. I think if I move it hard enough to dislodge him it will injure him.

I think he will come out when he is ready.
Is it uncommon for a young one to stay holed up somewhere for several days?
 
zz, it's not uncommon at all for them to stay in one place. Especially during the daytime. Sometimes my younger corn will be curled up in a paper towel roll when it comes feeding time, so I will -gently- shake it with my hand underneath till she comes sliding out. Works like a charm.
 
I left the house for a few hours and he is right at the edge of the tube. So either he has moved a lot closer to getting out or he got out and went back in when he heard me coming in the house.

crisis averted!
Thanks for all the advice.
 
Nanci said:
What happens if you either push back on his head (gently) or pinch his tail (gently)? Does he move to avoid you?
Click to expand...

zzrayz said:
Both ends of the tube are open and both have the same view. All I can see is a loop on both ends. His head and tail are hidden.

I could poke a loop with my finger to see if he moves.
Click to expand...

zzrayz said:
I gently touched one loop and he moved slightly and then I looked at the other end and his head is now visible. Based on the movement and head emerging from the loop I think he can get out.

Is there any reason to force him all the way out other than to make me feel a little better?
Click to expand...

zzrayz said:
I left the house for a few hours and he is right at the edge of the tube. So either he has moved a lot closer to getting out or he got out and went back in when he heard me coming in the house.

crisis averted!
Thanks for all the advice.
Click to expand...
Yep, sounds like his new favorite hide.

( Drop the plastic tube in a bucket of room temp H2O....and watch him come flying outta there like the Great Sea Kracken. LOL. )
 
If in case this is his new hide and I caught him out of it I would take it from him. One good meal and some growth and he might not get out anymore. If he likes tubes I suggest a paper towel roll. It's bigger and if he gets stuck all you have to do is tear apart one end and roll it apart just like you do those can biscuits from the grocery store.
 
Crouse,

You make a good point. I've had a paper towel roll in his viv and he never uses it. It is way bigger around than him even if he rolled up into a ball. But you got me thinking and I found a piece of pipe insulation. The gray kind that is split down the middle. It is about the same inside diameter and stretchy. Also the split makes it impossible for him to get stuck.
I think this will make a happy compromise between his need for a tight space and my need to not have him stuck in a tube.

Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top