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First Time Corn Owner

T

tstroud

New member
I finally got my first corn snake last night, after weeks reading up, and getting everything ready. I will post some pics here after it gets used to its new home. How long should I give it to settle in before we can start handling it a bit? It is just killing my son we have to leave it in the cage.

Another question I have is about feeding. The local pet store where I bought it said the snakes normally get fed on Fridays. I picked it up Thursday afternoon. Should I also wait a few days before I try feeding after it gets settled in a bit, or go ahead and try a feeding tonight?

Thanks
 
congrats on the new corn! When I had my first corn I let it settle for a day and then started to pick her up a little every day. she's a sweety. as for feeding, I'd just feed it once a week like the pet store, but it's ok if they skip a meal to settle in. My friend had a snake once that she didn't feed for five weeks, until I asked to take it off her hands.
anyway, your snake should be fine to hold ofter a day.
 
Welcome to the forum! I can't wait to see the pictures!

You want to give your new snake 4 to 5 days at least to settle in. This way the snake can explore its new surroundings in peace and without stress. Then you should try to feed him/her (it's ok for the snake to miss a week) and after feeding, give him/her another 3-4 days to digest. After this time, it's completely fine to start holding it.

I know it's hard to wait to play with your new pet (and especially for your son!) but it will definitely be better for the snake in the long run.

Good luck and again, welcome!!
 
It's recommended to wait a week before feeding your snake, during which time you allow it to just settle in- no handling. Then feed, then finally handle two days after feeding. Then you have twenty years or so to handle you snake. The object of allowing a week to settle in is you then have a snake with the least stress possible, so you have the best chance of feeding success.
 
D: I would definitely second what Nanci said. When I got my big striped snow, I held him all day long without a break and fed him that evening, and he threw up. :( He had to go to the vet too. He was okay, but he's still the meanest snake I've ever had. I feel like it's my fault too and I wish I would have let him settle in. :(

Now I'm super careful about stressing out my snakes.
 
I guess I'm in the minority because my baby corn was fed the day after it came home and had no trouble. Maybe it just depends on the snake.
Most feeding schedules recommend feeding every 3-5 days, not a week. Baby snakes need to eat more often just like other babies.
 
Welcome to CS.com. All our snakes get fed weekly, usually in the evening, but I don't think it makes any difference when they get fed. You came to the right place, the knowledge here is outstanding.
 
OK, So a week has passed. We have left the snake alone all week. I put a pinkie in the deli cup we go the snake in and put the snake in. It has showed absolutley no interest in the pinkie. I have left the snake in a completly dark room for an hour or so. SHould I be concerne, or just try again in a few days?
 
Hi. You can leave them for longer than an hour if the snake doesn't eat that quickly. Overnight often works the first time (as long as they are left somewhere where the temps are regulated of course). How do you know it showed absolutely no interest if it was left alone? Have you covered the deli cup over, or just put them in a dark room? Do cover it over, this will really help.

There are of course other things you can do to make the meal more appetising to the snake. Try 'braining' first, which is exactly what it sounds like. I've never had to do this, but I have heard the 'pin prick' method is good; not too messy, but the fluid from the brain is able to seep out. You could expose the brain next try and hopefully the smell would be irresistible (yuk!).

After this, there are tricks like scenting, which have worked for many people with problem feeders. I'm sure they will be along soon to offer more experienced advice.

Good luck.
 
I got a case of the paranoids for no reason. I was using f/t. I let the frozen pinkie set in a bowl of warm water to let it thaw and warm it up. I left the snake in the deli cup in a completely dark room all night and he ate sometime through the night. Thanks for your suggestions and help though. I think after reading some of the problems others have experienced on this forum, I was automatically expecting the worst. I will post some pics in a couple of days after he digests his meal.

Thanks
 
Hello! I'm glad to hear your new pal ate after all, I got my first snake in September and had a similar experience and worries. After he ignored three mice I was really concerned, then I woke up to find an empty skin in the tank and a hungry snake, and all has been great since then.

My thawing setup is to put the pinky in a plastic baggie with a light fork holding that under the water, it seems to come out of the bag with plenty of smell to it and isn't too wet.
 
I decided to feed based on the Munson plan. I fed another pinkie tonight. Our little snake seems to have a good appetite. It went right after the F/T pinkie as soon as I put it in the little critter keeper I feed in. I couldnt be happier. Thanks to all for your advice.
Tim
 
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