I'm so new at this, and I'm having problems!

[jaimbabe]

Hello everyone! I'm very new to this snake thing and I'm having some problems, so any help would be greatly appreciated! First of all, I got a baby know corn about a month and a half ago from PetCo and could not get him to eat anything for the life of me. So I took him back and got a new one, a few weeks old, and then the new one did't eat either! Then about a week after I tried feeding him his eyes got cloudy and a few days later he started to shed. So is it normal for him not to eat that long before he sheds? If this one doesn't eat either I will be so sad! And now I'm thinking he's not shedding right. I THINK it is mostly off his body but it's been stuck on his head for a day or two now and he can't get it off. I've read about how you can soak them in water, but obviously I can't put his head under water for long, plus he freaks out if I put him in the water at all and "jumps" right out! I'm getting a little frusterated, it seems like these snakes just hate me! Any advice?

 

[Maize411]

Okay..first off..don't panic...the fact that your snake is shedding could be a reason for it not wanting to eat..also you should ask the pet store what it was eatting before and when the last time it ate was..As for the shedding issue...some good ways of helping your snake through a tough shed could be:

- get a moist paper towl and let them slither around through it and in it
- let them soak in warm water (as you have tried this already and said your snake did not take kindly to it)
- Use "shed aid" which they should sell at any pet store..just spray a little bit on the snake and it should help him get the rest off
- You can also buy moss at a pet store and moisten it..lay it in his tank and let him slither around in it..That can also help him shed the skin off

As for feeding..when a snake doesn't eat don't panic right away..a snake could go up to 2 months without food so you do have time..when it comes to eatting you need to make sure every thing is just right..since you bought the snake at petco I'm guessing it's just a baby.. :shrugs: ...and probably on pinkies...get some frozen pinkies..make sure they are warm enough when you take them out of the water but not overdone..make sure the temps are good in the spot where your feeding your snake (I do hope you don't feed him in his tank as the bedding he may have could harm him if swallowed)..Leave the pinkie with the snake over night in a dark and secretive room...the next day if the pinkie is still there...wait 10 days and try again...

Always remember...this is all new to your little guy..he just got moved from a store with his other hatch mates to a new home with new smells and new sounds around him...also a whole new layout..things are scary for him right now and to add to it..he is going through a tough shed..Just be there for him and help him through the shed..once he overcomes that work on trying to feed him like I stated...and good luck to you..we're all cheering for you and are here for you..

Last note..when you see your corn going into blue or getting ready to shed you should boost up the humidity in the tank up to at least high 40's to low 50's..this will help them shed..this can be done by buying the moss I mentioned and just putting it in his tank, or even moist paper towls..some people even spray their tanks to get the humidity up..good luck..:0)

 

[Velvet]

Unfortunately petshop bought animals can be a bit "dodgy"...did you ask if the snake had eaten before?

Not eating could be cuased by a number of factors, stress, environment problems like incorrect temps etc etc. also some hatchlings just won't eat.

It is normal for them to sometimes go off their food when in shed. Only one of mine doesn't eat in shed but it does happen and is perfectly normal.

You haven't mentioned how long you gave him to settle in, what type of container he is in etc etc.

About the shedding problem, this does sound serious...you said that you have put him in water...what temperature was the water? It mustn't be too hot or too cold, it should be warm but should be slightly cool to your touch.

 

[Cat_Eyed_Lady]

if your snake if that scared of water... try only about 1/4 inch of luke warm water and put a wash cloth in there so that he wont feel so out of control and close the lid... let him soak about 10 minutes... take him out and let him crawl through a dry towel while you handle him.. he will be scared so be careful That should help get the rest off of him After getting all the shed off.... wait about 5 days.... then try to feed. Depending on the substrate you are useing you may have to put him in a seperate little dish that has a secure lid. Gladware containers work well for this Warm up the pinkie to about 100 degrees F .... feel the pinkie with your fingers.... does it feel warm to you?? then its ok to feed... put it in the container with the snake... making sure the top in on well... then cover up and walk away.... leave that way for atleast 2 hours.... no peeking.... after 2 hours and if the pinkie is gone, great. if not... put the snake back into his regular tank and wait for 4-5 days (not 10 sorry, that is for a regurge) and try this method again. Some just need time to get used to a new home and once they feel secure most will eat. by the way.... keep handleing to a minimum right now because your snake is stressed out from the bad shed and new home. Its all abit confuseing but I hope that I was of some help

 

[Kokopelli]

You were given excellent pieces of advice.

Just a side note- as people already suggested. Don't be down-hearted. Things may have gone less than smoothly but there's no reason for this to persist.

Follow the advices your were given and keep cool... I repeat it in like... every single thread I see because I was the exact opposite at first.

Every time a snake of mine didn't eat it was a huge issue for me and I really lost myself to concern...

But in the end with proper care and cage management (temperature etc...) things tend to work out great. I hope you and that little fella of yours pull through happily and swiftly :santa:

 

[Bluebird]

I followed diamondlil's advice...worked great!
Just use a container with a tight fitting lid, and lightly warm water, and leave him be for a bit.

I use damp sphagnum moss in my snakes hides when I see they are blue, and when they shed, I remove the moss. Haven't had any problems so far

Give your little guy a few days before trying to feed again, and then feed him in a separate container from his viv. Close him up in the container ( with air holes..lol ), and leave him be for a bit...hopefully when you check later mousie will be gone

When you get home you should check the tail-tip carefully, as old skin left there can cut off circulation and the tip will die off. I can recommend the 'snake-o-bath', it's a damp washcloth in a lunchbox and after 15-20 minutes the rest of any skin should come off easily

 

[Bluebird]

whoops...pic's not there...lol

here is the link...post #4

http://cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.phpt=54994&highlight=incomplete+shed

 

[Bluebird]

aarrgg....I give...lol..link doesn't work

do a search for: Surprise shed incomplete

 

[diamondlil]

Here you go!

 

[jaimbabe]

Thank you all so much for your advice! Ok, so right now as I am typing this I have my snake (his name is Theo) in a little tupperware container filled with warm water and some paper towels with a lid on it (and holes poked in the lid) so he can't escape. Do all of your snakes really just relax in the water? Cause Theo seems not to like it, he's pressing his nose against the container so hard that his body shakes and is in constant movement. I'm going to keep him in there though for 15 minutes and then take the paper towels out and put them in his viv (in the hide box?). So if any of this sounds wrong so far, let me know. Thank you to everyone for the help!

 

[diamondlil]

Mine didn't like water in there at all, which is why I used the washcloth. If the snake is frantically rubbing against things, it could be trying to start the shed

 

[Cat_Eyed_Lady]

none of mine do either... its why I suggested only a small amount of water and a wash cloth

I hope he was able to get rid of the old shed?

 

[jaimbabe]

The skin is off!

After two 15 minute soaks the old skin came off! Yay! Although, I did help him out. I kept hold of the old skin and he slithered like crazy until it was all off. Is this a terrible thing to do? It seemed like if I didn't help him, it would have never come off! He didn't seem to mind, I actually feel like we bonded over it! Anyways, thank you again for everyone's help. So glad I found this place! I'll be back with any other questions!

 

[bitsy]

I kept hold of the old skin and he slithered like crazy until it was all off. Is this a terrible thing to do?

It's not ideal, as you risk damaging the new scales underneath the shedding skin.

A little patience goes a long way - 30 minutes isn't really long enough to completely soften a shed if it's stuck tight. It's best if you can leave the snake to deal with it himself, which can occasionally take a few hours. Sometimes mine have stayed in a humid tub overnight.