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Am I over-reacting

magick-bears

magick-bears

New member
Well I feel like a newbie asking this question. Maybe it is because this is the first time I have had a snake as a dad and it is the first pet that the kids have had so I am being over cautious.

Anyway, the kids just got their snakes on Wednesday (yes it has only been 2 days). Both hatched in July 03'. The male is a week or two older he is also larger then the female. Both have good weight and muscle tone. We have them in 6qt Sterlite shoe boxes with newspaper substrate and a toilet paper roll for a hide. The room temp is 78 to 82 through the day and at night drops down no lower then 76.

Now what is concerning me (though if my memory serves is perfectly normal) is the female never leaves her hide box. She is constantly curled up in it. I have looked in there both day and night and not seen her out of it yet. The time that I took her out to make sure she was ok she stayed curled up for a minute or so then started crawling around my hands as would be expected. Her tongue flicks also seemed to be normal rate. This would not be such a concern if it was not for the male being so active. He is almost always out and exploring his new area.

If these were just my snakes I would wait it out and see what happens. But as it is my 4 year old daughter’s very first pet I am looking at it from a completely different view.

Thanks,
Jeff C.

P.S. Should I be concerned or am I being paranoid.
 
magick-bears,

I believe this is perfectly normal behavior especially for a snake in a new environment. We very rarely see either of our corns (both 03) out of their hides except a day or two before feeding day and only at night or in the morning. Your outgoing male may actually be the odd ball. :p

Don't worry!


Cheers,
Jason
 
First, welcome to the boards!

Second, if you don't have The Corn Snake Manual and are serious about a long, wonderful experience with your new pets it is almost paramount.

Third, never be afraid to ask questions, getting used to snake ownership can be quite confusing at times as it takes months to get to know your snakes "personality" and behaviors.

Fourthly, (and I think you'll find the same things I'm about to say in TCSM as well), tongue flicking is a good sign of health. That and being active. For me personally, a snake that is eating is a happy snake and being only two day's in your possession, it's too hard to tell.

Therefore I suggest the following:

1.) keep the snakes water fresh and don't touch them for at least 10 days (I know it's hard but trust me these little guys are probably petrified and if you don't treat snake stress with the utmost respect it can be trouble). Lid-off looking can be ok.

2.) After those 10 days of no-touching, attempt a first feed, be sure the snake is de-stressed and able to accept food. Wait at least a few days after the feeding to hold your little guy to prevent regurgitation.

3.) don't worry about a snake in hiding. These are largely nocturnal animals that can wait till 2 or 3am to come out and definitely will be back in hiding by sunrise. Remember as babies in the wild they are highly suseptible to predators and it benefits them to have instincts to stay put when stressed or during daylight.

Expect after the first few months of successful meals that you can slowly and gradually increase how often you take your little guy out to hold.

An extra tip my local herp that sold me my first babies told me, NEVER, EVER set a little one down untouched while playing, they are fast and slippery and will get away.

Good luck, congratulations and welcome to the herp obsession...
 
h0mersimps0n said:
1.)...don't touch them for at least 10 days (I know it's hard but trust me these little guys are probably petrified and if you don't treat snake stress with the utmost respect it can be trouble). Lid-off looking can be ok.
Click to expand...
Does this advice apply to brand new hatchlings as well? We're hoping to get a baby from Rich in the summer and have never had a pet snake.

Thanks!
 
Yes it does. Although the Corn Snake Manual states a period of 3 full days and nights followed by offering it a smallish first meal, I'm sure that a 10 day wait wouldn't hurt depending on when the little fella last ate.

Cheers,
Jason
 
Thanks. I'm ordering the Corn Snake Manual TODAY.

Is it normal to be this excited before I've even gotten my snake?? :D
 
Sandra, YES. I've been researching for a few weeks now and resisting the temptation to get my snake right away is difficult. I just want to provide the best home possible.
 
new snake

don't worry, i've just recently aquired a new corn and i'm still hyper about it... though i am less psychotic now than before i got him

Magick-bears, i think it is great you are such a helpful dad, i wish my parents had let me get a snake earlier. Had to wait till i went to college to finally get my boy. Good luck with the little ones, snake and human! :D
~jessi
 
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