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How long after shedding do they eat?

J

Jay's Mom

New member
Hi everyone. We just purchased a baby corn snake for our 9 yr old son. I don't know exactly how old the snake is, but I'd say under 6 months old for sure (about 12 inches long.) Anyway, we've had him for 2 weeks and couldn't get him to eat. Last week he shed his skin so I figured that is why he wouldn't eat. We tried to feed him last night and this morning the pinkie was still in the cage, untouched.
How long after they shed do they normally eat? We've been trying to feed him every Monday (which is when the pet store said they fed him.) I've tried putting him and the f/t pinkie in a brown paper lunch sack overnight and still nothing. Also, how long is TOO long for them to go without eating and when should I get worried?

Any help would be appreciated!
 
Hi, usually hatchlings will eat immediately after shedding. Since the snake has basically been in the blue since you've had him, he just may not be comfortable yet. I would try feeding him every 2 days until he eats. Sometimes some increased heat will trigger a feeding response. Was the pet shop feeding F/T or live? A live pinky will usually get the job done :cheers:
 
It also sounds like you're just putting the food in the main tank.

With a hatchling, better off removing him from the main tank and putting him in a smaller tub with nothing else but the food. Then cover the smaller tub (make sure it has airholes! ... a small critter keeper or something) with a towel and leave him in total peace and quiet for at least an hour.

It may also help, if you're feeding frozen/thawed, to warm the pinkie in hot water before you put it in the tub with him.
 
Thanks guys!

I'll try putting him in our small carrier (has air holes,) covering him up and leaving him alone overnight with the pinkie. We've been soaking the pinkie in hot water for a while before offering it to him, to no avail. This last one I think we "cooked." :-( ewwwww

Should I try feeding again right away, or wait a few days?

Thanks!
 
Oh, I thought your nine year old would be taking care of the snake! Ha! Ha!

I feed f/t too and I just but the pinky in a zip-lock baggy and put hot/warm tap water in a coffee cup, use a spoon to hold down baggy. then wait and check for a warm pinky. squish a little with fingers in baggy to check temps and feed.
I also feed a night nine, to eleven pm. If that helps.

Good Luck :cheers:
 
See now i thought offereing food too often would stress the snake out and cause it not to eat at all... i would continue feeding on every monday.... maybe try braining the pinky... use the search as well
 
Ha!!!

Yeah, my 9 yr old has been off at camp, so I'm left to feed the snake. I wasn't too thrilled about this at first, but he's growing on me and I'm actually getting attached to him.

We will wait until Monday to try feeding again. I did "brain" this pinkie the last time to no avail. Right now we've decided to cover the front of the cage with a quilt so that he's not disturbed, in case he's just not settled in good yet. (Don't worry, he still has plenty of fresh air to breathe.)

Never in my life did I EVER think I'd be praying for a snake!!!! :)
 
*LOL* I know EXACTLY how you feel!!! I NEVER thought I would own, let alone love any kind of snake!!!......Now I can't get enough of them!!!


terrysangel79
 
How's it going now? If you're still dealing with your little non eater I use the paper bag trick with success. Get a small paper lunch sack and put the snake inside with the pinkie. Tape the top shut and put it in your viv. Leave it for 2 hours and don't peek. Check after the time is up. Hope all is working okay!
 
I have a couple of hatchlings that won't eat frozen thawed yet. I try all the usual methods and if they don't work I go to plan B. I have tongs that I use to feed those. I move the ( warm ) pinkie around in front of the hatchlings and the movement gets their attention and they strike. They may miss a few times, or slither away, but eventually they strike and hold on and start the feeding process.
 
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