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My corn snake died all of a sudden.

Again, thanks for the advice

I went to WalMart and bought a lamp dimmer and an inside outdoors thermometer. I am glad I did. The thermometer showed that the area under the substrate over the UTH was 94. Now, I think I have the temperature stabilized at 85. Also, I turned off the light. I guess I don't need the light afterall. I kind of think the petshop gave me some bad advice with the 100 watt bulb and the thermometer strips. I really wish I would have found this site before now and maybe the other snake would not have died. Thanks for all of the advice. I am so thankful I found this website!
 
Sounds like you're well on track now. Good luck - let us know how he gets on.
 
We would love to see some pictures on about a week or so, after he has settled in and eaten and digested as well!!
 
My second corn snake died

Ok, I guess it is not meant to be. I don't understand. I probably messed up. I will have had my snake a week tomorrow. I was not going to be able to feed him tomorrow, so I tried today. I gave him a frozen thawed pinky. I put the frozen pinky in warm water for almost 20 minutes. He would not eat it, so I left him alone for an hour. He still did not eat it. I put the pinky under warm water again. I cut a couple of slits in the pinky, covered up the container with a paper towel and left him alone for a couple of hours. The container had plenty of holes in it. When I checked on him again, he was dead. I don't understand. I guess I fed him too early. I really was trying to do everything right. The temperature in the aquarium was 73 on the cool side and 85 on the warm side. Was he too stressed? Should I just not own a snake? Is it the pet shop? Does this happen to anyone else? I am so upset!
 
It's not you. It's got to be the source. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

This is what you should. Clean everything out very well with a dilute bleach solution, and in the meanwhile, start finding local shows where you can pick an animal from a reputable breeder OR start browsing online for breeders - we have a list of breeders on this forum by state.

It wasn't you. We could spend a bunch of time figuring out what was up with these sickly snakes you've had, but it's not worth it. Blacklist the store, keep your chin up, and start looking for a good source.

Oh, and demand a refund.
 
Thanks for the encouraging words. I did not realize losing a snake would affect me so, but even after a few days, I was really attached!
 
Wow your having a tough go, but really I think its your corn source and not you. Pet stores are notorious for selling sick animals who weren't kept in the best conditions- not albeit but many. Look for a breeder here or locally at a show. You obviously love snakes so don't get discouraged. When you covered the lid where was the cup sitting on? If it was on the UTH next time just put the deli cup back in the cage away from the heat:)
 
I put the container in the middle of the aquarium. It wasn't on the uth. I think I am better now. I just got home half an hour ago and just found him. I had fully convinced myself that I did something wrong now. I have never had a pet die on me before except from old age. But after reading what other people said, I think it is just the store. Really, normally I am not an emotional person, so it kind of struck me as odd to get upset. My husband even said, that snake had a mansion and you spent more money on that snake than our dogs. I am alright. I will just take the baby back to the store tomorrow.
 
wow, 2 snakes, thats tough. I'm a noobie to snakes but I researched them like a geek before I got mine, seems like the store is at fault here. From everything i've heard and read corn snakes are pretty durable animals. When I was looking to purchase a snake I was going to go to the pet store and then read about (and saw) very poor conditions there. I would just go to an online breeder, I think they would know more about snakes than some kid working a part time job at a petco. I got my corn from VMS Herp online. I wish you good luck with your next purchase and keep your head up
 
Emily1188 said:
It's not you. It's got to be the source. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

This is what you should. Clean everything out very well with a dilute bleach solution, and in the meanwhile, start finding local shows where you can pick an animal from a reputable breeder OR start browsing online for breeders - we have a list of breeders on this forum by state.

It wasn't you. We could spend a bunch of time figuring out what was up with these sickly snakes you've had, but it's not worth it. Blacklist the store, keep your chin up, and start looking for a good source.

Oh, and demand a refund.
Click to expand...

I am so sorry to hear about your losses. I have had reptiles (snakes, turtles, chameleons, lizards, etc.) off and on over the years. Corns are a good hearty snake and fairly easy to keep. That said, I have had some issues with them too.

I agree- blacklist that store. There are many good sources for corns- especially on this site. You have very knowledgeable people here who have quality corns. Look to see who might have some hatchlings near you.

I wish you the best!
Carrie
 
You specifically asked if anyone else has had this experience, well I have when I first got into keeping corns. The three pet stores(same chain different cites) I bought from all had sickly snakes that were sold with a host of problems. After spending far more on the snakes from the pet stores than I would have if bought from a breeder and spending a fortune on vet bills( for check ups and trying to save one of the snakes) my first three died!!

Since then it has been breeder purchased snakes only(except for one) and I have had no problems, there are currently 6 corns in this house. So like the others have said, not your fault, demand a refund, refuse a replacement and buy from a breeder or at an expo/show.

But don't give up your love of corns will pay off yet!!
 
Keep with this site, the more info you can absorb the easier you'll sleep at night... (I think anyway)
Sorry about your losses.


To all knowledgable herpkeepers... I thought you were gonna say respiratory infection, obviously not... What are the actual symptoms of this? Thanks if anybody can shed some light...
 
I don't know if it was mentioned or not, there are a lot of posts I didn't get through. But if you don't want to buy a thermostat (which I'd recommend), you can always go the lamp dimmer rheostat way.

I built one myself for emergencies using the following directions. You just plug it in the wall, and plug the heatpad into it. Put a thermometer probe in the tank right above the heatpad (a simple thermometer with probe can be found at walmart for around 10 bucks, the strip and dial thermometers only measure ambient temps when placed on sidewalls, of course a tempgun is always preferable). Anyway, then you play with the dimmer dial and turn it up down up down up down until you get it to the right temp. You just have to watch because if the room temps rise, the temp of the heatpad will probably rise...same with room temp falling.

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19168&highlight=rheostat+dimmer
 
Sure fire way to ensure your corn is poop'n?..... clean its cage, handle him/her for a few mins and return to cage. My Corns just love to go as soon as they get in a clean cage!! lol! :headbang:
sorry about your bad luck..like others have said sterilize everything and purchase from a reputable breeder. There are plenty here on the site or internet.
 
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