Help!

[Krafty43]

Houdini's eyes seemed dull for a couple of days and was dry and cool.. I switched to an under tank heater and started to mist her tank 1-2 times a day.. her eyes seem brighter now and I think making those changes helped.. However I fed her a pinkie last week and she ate it no problem. I gave her a pinkie on Tuesday and shr hasn't eaten yet.. (im going to toss the pinkie tomorrow as it probably wouldnt be good anymore..) how long can I leave a pinkie out? & what does it mean when their eyes are dull?...

Ridayah seems to hide in his skull a lot and isn't out much.. is it okay for me to take him from his hide to handle him? He seems to stress out when I handle him, and races around his tank when I return him to it.. hes new to being handled, what can I do to make him more comfortable? When is the best time to handle him? & again.. is it ok to take him from his hide, and what if he is sleeping...

Thank you.

 

[smigon]

Dry and cool is a good thing for a corn to be, they are cold-blooded creatures. The dull eyes tell you he is going into "blue" which means he will shed probably within the next week. First his eyes and his skin will clear up (which usually loses sheen and gets dull as well) and then, you will check the viv and there will be a beautiful shed all in one piece! At least we hope. Once he sheds, take him out, check him from head to tail making sure that the eyecaps and the tail tip came off as well. I have never had a bad eyecap shed but have seen them, not pretty. And the tail tip can usually be gently rubbed off after wetting it down. If you don't remove the tail shed it will just stunt the growth of the tail tip, kind of like wrapping a rubber band really tightly around your finger, it will lose circulation and eventually fall off.

If they refuse a meal it usually means they are in blue and shouldn't be fed, the possibilities of regurgitation are high and that is not good. Just wait until they shed before feeding, they can go a long time between feedings, so no worries there.

If they haven't eaten a pinkie (or any size mouse) within 24 hours I pitch it. Not worth the problems it could make if it went bad.

How long have you had Ridayah? You should let him adjust for a week or two in his new home. It is normal for babies to be flighty and not want to be held, let him have his alone time and just take him out once or twice a week until he settles in. Hold him close to your chest and he will feel more secure.

Corns are nocturnal, so if you want to hold him, nighttime is when to do it. The best thing to do is come at him unafraid, and scoop him from underneath with both hands. Be confident and he will feel it too and chill out a little. Some take longer than others to be comfortable being held, it isn't just you!

 

[Phruit Dish]

They can be "flighty" as hatchlings, too, weaving through your fingers and scuting like there's no tomorrow. That may look frantic but actually be normal baby corn snake behavior. The more short handling sessions you do (a few minutes once a day works nicely at first), the greater the chances that both snakes will calm down and adjust well to being handled over time.

About sleeping and handling, I'm reminded of the one time I startled my corn snake. It happened a few days after she arrived. I went to check on her but didn't make any sound until I found her. Poor girl visibly jumped. I always announce my presence near, but not directly above, the viv now, and haven't had any trouble since then. It also helps them grow accustomed to your voice as well. Sometimes my girl will come out of her hide now when I call her name...added bonus.

They'll calm down in time. I found it most helpful to try to see things from their perspective as potential prey. The world is a scary place, and the transition to a new environment is a stressful event. Just give them patient support. They'll realize soon enough that they've got a good life ahead.