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New Snake, Strange Behavior

windowswisher

windowswisher

expert noisemaker
Hi there. I recently acquired a young (3 mo.) old corn snake from a breeder. She told me when I purchased her that her eyes were beginning to cloud up, so she might go into shed soon.

When I brought her home and put her in her viv she was pretty shaken up and confused as you might imagine. That was Sunday, it's now Wednesday. I haven't seen her once of her own accord since then, when she was slithering around and checking out the place.

Once a day I check on her just to make sure she's alive. She stays buried in the substrate all day and when I do uncover her, seems dazed, sluggish, and lethargic . . . quite the opposite of the fiesty, little curious snake I brought home Sunday. She'll mostly just sit in the palm of my hand and lightly uncoil herself, not move around at all.

Her eyes do look misty, but since she's my first snake I have no point of reference to tell if this is normal behavior or not. Should I be worried? I'm concerned she might be sick. What other signs should I look for? Should I maybe offer her a pinkie and see if she'll eat?

Thanks for your help and quick replies!
 
It sounds like she's blue, preparing to shed. The process takes a week to ten days. She won't move at all during that time, unless you disturb her. She has the correct temp range so she can choose the temp she likes, right? After she "clears" she will come out and move around, and you may not be able to find the shed. Just wait! They take several hours to a day or two to shed after they clear. After she clears/sheds, it's okay to try to feed her, and then let her digest for two or three days with no handling, and then you can take her out. Don't be surprised if it takes her several weeks or months to get comfortable enough to come out and explore, at least when you're around. The more cover you have for her like paper towel rolls and scrunchy vines with big leaves, the more likely she is to hide out in the open so she can observe you.
 
Can't add anything to what Nanci said - exactly my thoughts as well.

Welcome to the hobby! I'm afraid the first few months with any new Corn are one long fret as you get used to their quirks and preferences. I still get it after 18 years!
 
We have one corn snake who is always out and visible expect when he's getting ready to shed. I don't even have to check anymore, if I don't see him for two days then I can bet a my money he's about to shed. So don't freak out yet.
 
Yeah, probably in shed so just wait a week or so (shouldn't take this long but could). If the snake hasn't shed and has clear eyes in a week, then concern might be warranted.
 
Thanks guys. She was out for a morning this bit, and her eyes are DEFINITELY "blue" today, so I'm sure she's going into shed. She was rubbing her nose up against the side of the tank. She's spent the rest of the day in her hide, cute little thing. I stuck my hand in the tank and she slithered up to smell it.

But yeah, just so long as she's not on the verge of death. It seems some snakes act normally during this time, while others prefer to sleep and hide from what I've gathered. I think she's going to be a great, friendly little snake, though. I hope!
 
I've certainly found that if they're calm during sheds when they first arrive, that this indicates a generally sunny disposition the rest of the time. Hope this is true for yours as well!
 
Ugh, before I consulted you guys I called around to almost EVERY Petsmart in the area and NO ONE knew anything about snakes.

Typical. The lady I got her from told me she'd taken in a few rescues recently in which the snakes were all skin and bones because the pet store had told them to feed them once every 2 weeks to a month. Unbelievable!
 
Good luck with your new arrival. Once my snakes go into blue I add a damp towel to the top of their tanks and really boost up the humidity. They've given me perfect sheds every time! Mine usually hide the entire 10 days before they shed so I know when I see them out and about that's usually the night they shed.
 
Just to let everyone know, I got to witness her shedding. It was really fascinating! That little snake had to work to get her skin off, though. She's a really lovely red and orange color, totally different than her old skin.

I fed her a pinkie after, which she readily gobbled down. She was out and about last night, too. So basically she's healthy and happy, not on the verge of death like I thought.
 
jesserca said:
We have one corn snake who is always out and visible expect when he's getting ready to shed. I don't even have to check anymore, if I don't see him for two days then I can bet a my money he's about to shed. So don't freak out yet.
Click to expand...

I have a couple snakes that do that. My beauty (not a corn, I know) NEVER uses her warm-side hide (really enclosed) unless she's going in to shed... Then I don't see her for at least two weeks. My favorite adult female corn is constantly out and about whether or not she's digesting. When she goes in to blue, she buries herself in her moist hide and turns from an absolute sweetheart in to a hissy brat... Lol.

It's good to hear that she shed and ate well for you. Sounds like you're going to be VERY happy with her!! =)
 
That's pretty lucky to see her shed. I've only seen that two or three times, with all my snakes!!
 
My 2 year old corn girl Shy always stays in her hide and wants to be left alone when she's getting ready to shed. Her mood is sort of the snake version of PMS. However, as soon as she sheds, she's back to her normal calm outgoing self again. I can take her to the local petshop to visit, carry her around (as she checks out everything she sees that's bright colored and within her reach!) and she will calmly let people touch her and pet her, etc. Her temperament when she's not getting ready to shed, is excellent.

So at least in Shy's case, cranky reclusive irritable attitude during shed doesn't equal any kind of temperament problem when she's not in shed.
 
Congrats on the healthy snake! I envy that you got to see it, Ive never seen mine shed. Now for the important question-Do you have any pictures?
 
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