Are they growing at a normal paste?

[Bones1981]

I have 2 normals that were born last summer. I've had them now for probably 3 months. They haven't shed yet and are only 6 grams each. Is this normal to weigh that low and not shed? I feed every 5 days. They seem healthy and all.

 

[bitsy]

6 grammes would be small - that sounds more like a new hatchling type weight. They should be much bigger on that feeding regime and I'd certainly be expecting them to shed at least once or twice a month at that age. I know it's a bit of an odd question, but are you sure your scales are correct?

Any chance of photos? And do you have any reason to suspect other health problems e.g. abnormal poop?

 

[Nanci]

Normally, baby snakes shed about once a month. If yours only weigh six grams, they should still be on pinks. I'd try cutting four small slits down the back of the pink before feeding. I would stick with the five day schedule.

 

[Sweetseraph]

Six grams sounds super small for a snake that age. Unfortunately I deleted the pics of me holding her because they were not clear, but here is a pic of a 6 g snake with a pinky:

I don't know the reasons why a snake wouldn't be growing or shedding, so I can't help there.

 

[Bones1981]

that pic looks about right compared to mine....im new at this and not sure what the problem is. Both are on pinkies, and my scales are right.:shrugs:

 

[harm781]

Are they in seperate viv? If you are keeping them together it could stress them causing them not to gain? I would slit as Nanci suggested and make sure they have a warm and cold end. Warm 80-85 degrees cold 75-79 degrees. If to warm that could cause them to digest faster and not get all nutrients needed. Keep us posted.

 

[marike]

Have they been checked for parasites?
There are several parasites that can cause that a snake doesn't gain any weight.

 

[Nanci]

I'd actually suggest 84-86 for the warm end, no lower.

 

[Bones1981]

My temp is 84-86 on the warm side and they are in seperate bins. They are eating like champs.:shrugs:

 

[Nanci]

That was more directed in response to Harm's post about the warm temp range. I personally like to keep the babies a little warm. Not TOO warm, but I don't want them down at 80F, either.

 

[bitsy]

My temp is 84-86 on the warm side and they are in seperate bins. They are eating like champs.

That all sounds fine. They should be growing and shedding - I wish I knew what to tell you.

Is their poop normal? i.e. When fresh: clear liquid with more solid dark brown/black bit. When dry: white powdery stuff with more solid dark brown/black bit (like bird poop). If it looks different - greenish, more runny/all liquid - then they could have a digestive problem or parasites?

 

[Bones1981]

no, it looks fine.......how old would a normal 6 gram corn be on average?

 

[Sinsational]

I think 6 grams is a hatchling weight. So between 1-3 months? My snake was a June 09 hatchling, and it is on the small end weighing 15 grams. It was only being fed once a week one pinky.

 

[Katie612]

When I got my anery, he only weighted 5.5 grams and he is a June '09 baby. His feeding schedule that I got showed that he was only fed ONCE A MONTH. No wonder he's tiny, but now he's eating like a champ and seems to be growing a bit now, though slowly. I was told by a breeder that when their growth is stunted like that at an early age, it tends to be harder for them to grow rapidly later.

 

[Katie612]

Forgot to mention how old he was at 5.5 grams... I got him at the end of February, so he was already eight months old at only 5.5 grams.

 

[Sinsational]

Oh wow Katie, that is horrible! Glad you're giving him a good home. Where did you get him from?

 

[Sweetseraph]

I think that would be a hatchling weight too. The picture was of a corn we received at the store where I work. I don't know what her exact age would have been, but I presume she would have been a hatchling.