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First feeding- strategy??

Hypancistrus

Hypancistrus

New member
Well, it's day 2 of my life as a Corn Snake mom. After panicking and wigging out yesterday, I am much calmer today because she's still alive! She's actually doing very well today. If "very well" for a Corn Snake means sitting coiled under a log, on top of the aspen, with her head coming out to investigate odd sounds (like my keys brushing the tank lid while looking for her) every now and then.

She still hasn't done the "tongue flick," at least while I am around, but she is definitely alert and has moved a bit since last night. I am going to try and feed her on Monday, probably around 2 PM before I leave school. If she won't take it IN the tank, should I put her in a deli cup on the "cool side" and leave her 'til Tuesday morning, around 9?? Would it be okay to handle her to get her into the deli cup, or should I simply leave the brained pinky on a small paper plate or in an overturned plastic cup right in front of her lair??
 
Don't be afraid to handle her to get her in the deli cup, but avoid excessive handling after feeding. If she doesn't eat it after awhile, you should be fine to leave her in the deli cup overnight. It probably wouldn't hurt to leave her on the warm side. Heat shouldn't build up in the deli cup, and the extra warmth can sometimes promote the appetite (from what I've read).
 
I don't see why it would. Isn't she spending extended periods of time on the warm side already? The heat shouldn't build up if there are air holes.

If you're really nervous about it, try to find a rectangular dish. Of course, you don't want the dish to be too big, because the whole idea is to confine the snake in a smaller space with the pinky. But if you can find a smaller rectangular dish, orient it in a way that one end is on the warm side and one on the cool. Toss the pinky on the warm side. Then if she eats (or if she doesn't), she can have her choice of warm or cool.
 
zwyatt said:
If you're really nervous about it, try to find a rectangular dish.
Click to expand...

:roflmao: Am I nervous about it? Zach, I am nervous about EVERYTHING to do with this tiny glorified-worm of a snake. Shedding... feeding... even the fact that I've yet to see her flick her tongue. I am totally paranoid, holding my breath. :rolleyes:

:shrugs: I like the idea of a rectangular container. I think we have some spare tupperware containers that the mother won't miss... I am going to try one of those, with holes punched in the lid.

Thank you for the feeding advice.
 
I use those cheap Glad disposable plastic containers. They are only $3 or so for a pack of 3 or 4. Trust me, using Tupperware will cause you some grief if your mother finds out! Tupperware is evidently like gold or something... :)
 
I am attempting to feed her today... I allowed a small pinky to thaw for 15-20 minutes, then placed it in hot water for another 5. Then, per my breeder's instructions, I "brained" it, using long feeding tongs and a pocket knife. I was very careful not to touch the pinky as I didn't want my scent on it.

Placed the oozing pinky in her deli cup, lifted the log where she was hiding and watching me. She coiled into a circle, still watching. I was happy that her tongue came out multiple times while I gently lifted her and placed her into the deli cup. I then sealed the lid, placed the cup slightly off center of the heat mat, closed and locked the cage and left.

This was at 2:30- it is now dark in the classroom. I stopped by at 4:30 and she hadn't eaten it.

I am hoping she eats it overnight- is that likely? If not... well, I will deal with that in the AM. For now... please keep your fingers crossed that she eats it and I can relax a little more... :uhoh:
 
If she doesn't eat it might just be too soon in her new environment. I'd let her get used to it for 3-4 days before trying again.
 
How exactly old is she? If she is only a few days old she probably hasn't shed yet and will be soon, she may be in the process now and many baby corns won't eat when they are shedding. I don't even offer them their first meal until after they shed. It sounds like you are doing everything right, otherwise. Also it sounds like you are a teacher (me too), if there are kids in the classroom and lots of people always walking around her it could be stressing her out. If so, I would hide her from people for awhile, at least until she starts eating good, and handle her as little as possible. Also, always make sure she has fresh, filtered water. Good luck with the little one, and just think about how stressed you would be if you were her, we are all giant preditors to her. I think the success to having good feeders is to wait until they shed and handle them as little as possible while giving them a place where they can feel safe__Twyla
 
She was born on May 26th this year and had shed twice. I got a complete feeding history from Susan when I got her, and she has been eating regularly, but switched to brained pinks about 3-4 weeks ago. If she doesn't eat, I will try her again Thursday maybe. Can't do Friday, cuz she's in the CR, and I don't want the pink sitting there all weekend!

Class is currently out for the summer, of course. We have two weeks left, but I think I am going to put her into the back room for the first month or so of school. Let her get some size on her before she's subjected to the masses.
 
I realy don't know wat a brained pinkie is but if it is too big it won't eat it get a little one alive and place it in the deli cup with the snake on the warm side is beter and don't worry about touching the pinkie the sent won't do any difference remember live pinkie have a nicer smell
You can touch the pinkie. And whats the pocket knife for don't puncture the pinkie in any way live or frz and yes give it time and hiding places so it can built confidence.
 
A brained pinky is one that has had it's head sliced with the knife, and the brain goop kinda... squeezed out. It's white, and thick and apparently very delicious smelling to snakes.

The snakes been eating brained pinkies the past couple weeks, and I did this as per my breeders instructions. She has been at it a lot longer than I have, so I trust her judgement.

In any case... I'm off to school for the day now. Keep your fingers crossed that the deli cup is minus one pinky, plus one fat, happy snake.
 
Not sure what the above poster is talking about but there's nothing wrong with "braining" or cutting the pinky, unless it's live of course. In fact, while I don't brain them I cut open the backs of all my FT mice before feeding as it aids in quicker more complete digestion. When the skin is cut open it allows the digestive acids to get inside and get to work quicker when they don't have to work through the thick skin first. There have been several threads here to this effect and most agree.
 
WLReptile said:
I realy don't know wat a brained pinkie is but if it is too big it won't eat it get a little one alive and place it in the deli cup with the snake on the warm side is beter and don't worry about touching the pinkie the sent won't do any difference remember live pinkie have a nicer smell
You can touch the pinkie. And whats the pocket knife for don't puncture the pinkie in any way live or frz and yes give it time and hiding places so it can built confidence.
Click to expand...

Actually, cutting frozen/thawed pinkies can encourage a reluctant eater to feed, and I believe it also aids in digestion once it's been swallowed. No offence, but if you don't even know what braining is, should you really be advising as to whether or not it should be done? :shrugs:
 
Okay, she didn't eat it. :cry: She just arrived on Thursday, so perhaps it's too soon?? I don't know. I guess having a snake is just destined to be a rough and rocky road for me.
 
Relax, there. It's not so bad. There are lots of things left to try. The first is probably just to wait a few days and try again. As has already been said, she might just not feel settled yet. It's not going to be any trouble for her if she doesn't eat for you right away. You have nothing at all to worry about at the moment.

Anyway, someone with more experience than I will probably come along and give you some advice about what to try next and how long to wait before doing so. Before I got my little ones, I wrote someone I trusted and asked for his schedule of what to do with a non-feeding hatchling. I didn't need to use it, but if I had, at least I wouldn't have had to post and get 3 dozen opinions on it, and I wouldn't have needed to post every time I had a rejection. I had a 3 or 4 week plan in place. If I were you, I'd just contact Susan directly and ask for her advice. She knows her snakes best, and she's fed plenty of her own little ones, and then you won't have to deal with sifting through a bunch of replies from people who really don't know exactly what's going on with your snake and your set-up.
 
desertanimal said:
If I were you, I'd just contact Susan directly and ask for her advice.
Click to expand...

Already have. :) Am waiting on a reply. In the meantime, she seems healthy and alert- she knows when I come into the room and will poke her head out to "check me out." Posting here has calmed me down and made me realize that ignoring a pinky isn't the end of the world. So I am calmer now.
 
First off, don't listen to WLReptile. He doesn't have a clue as to what he's talking about.

Second, relax a bit. Some snakes refuse their first few feeds when moving to a new home. I know it's stressful, but they can go a long time without eating, even hatchlings. I won't offer any more advice, since you've already contacted Susan. She will know what to tell you.
 
H,
Number one: relax.

Breathe deeply a few times.

OK, now. Go back and reread the care sheets you have.

When you finish, remember the breathe deeply.

The snake is absolutely fine. A new enclosure can scare the bejeezus out of a small animal. Try feeding in the evening. Don't worry about braining it. Just give it a thawed mouse.
Susan has probably been feeding in in a small space like a brown lunch sack or a small deli cup and leaving it overnight. Try that. Wait a few days.
The snake has been eating, so its healthy. It probably doesn't NEED to eat for weeks, but it will be hungry soon.
Most care sheets say to wait a few days. This is for a reason.
So keep on relaxin' and give it time. By this time next year, you'll be GIVING advice, not asking for it.
Enjoy!
 
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