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New member, new owner!!!

E

Emily1976

New member
Hi all, I've wanted a snake for the last 30 years and finally managed to get my husband to allow me to own one on Sunday, 2 days ago.
Am a complete, but well researched, beginner so would appreciate any advice.
Somehow managed to suddenly own 2 male corns, aged approx5-6 years.....
Tried to feed today as due a feed today or tomorrow...but no joy.
Temp in viv 80 degrees at warmest end. Offered thawed mouse, warmed and cut. Think maybe snakes stressed as me n my kids overjoyed at finally owning them and may have over handled....
Both snakes seem happy, bright eyed and shiny, no strange behaviour but no feeding despite 'prowling' viv for last 24 hrs....
Maybe I'm panicking for no reason. Hope that's the case...
Anyway, hello all!!!
 
Hello, congrats, and welcome. Most folks around here recommend waiting a week or so before first feeding. 80 is a bit cool for the warm side. 85 is recommended. Also, cohabitation is highly frowned upon by just about everyone around these parts. It can add a lot of stress and cause feeding issues, or also one could kill the other. So, if they are living together right now, you may have to fork out a few more bucks to set up another viv. Any more questions, just fire away; many many people here love to help out.
 
Hi, Emily - and welcome! You have found just the right place to get answers to your questions. I do agree with Joba that housing two snakes together can cause problems, even if they were housed together with the previous owner. A separate viv would certainly reduce stress. Also bumping up the temps a few degrees would a good idea, then letting them adjust a week, then try feeding again. Also, once they do eat, don't handle them for at least 48 hours so you don't risk a regurgitation.

I know this will be hard, because they are really fascinating and I'm sure you and your kids are eager to handle them. Once they've settled in and fed successfully, I'm sure you will really enjoy having them as part of your family. Please keep us posted.

Casey
 
Yay, more new snake owners! As others have mentioned, you might want to bump the warm side up a few degrees for daytime temps, and definitely don't handle anymore for a week or so, give them a chance to feel a little more secure and a little less stressed in their new home. If they're healthy, as adults they can go a loooooooong time without eating (and sometimes will) so don't worry about missing a feed. Their comfort is more important than your piece of mind, and they'll eventually come around when they're ready.
 
Ok, temperature bumped to 85 and I'm on the lookout for another viv....(my husband is gonna kill me ;) ) Thanks for all your advice I'll let you know how we all get on.
 
Hi Emily welcome. Your husband will enjoy them lol.. I brought my new baby home yesterday, i didn't even tell him i was gettimng another just yet even though he had already egreed to one eventually but that is the way i introduce all our animals to him lol. :)
 
The thing I don't understand is I've changed nothing from their pervious owner. Same viv (came with the snakes) same stuff inside, same temp, same food...he said they'd been housed together since babies. Either he's not telling me the truth or I've just over handled them. I'm going to leave them in peace for a week anyway and see how they do then. Will get another viv ASAP
 
:laugh:Lol oh dear, never mind he will come around. How can he not fall in love with them, it took my hubby a while but i just kept getting him to hold Angel and pretend to go and do something else. He watches them as much as i do now but he won't just go and get her out on his own though lol
 
Emily1976 said:
The thing I don't understand is I've changed nothing from their pervious owner. Same viv (came with the snakes) same stuff inside, same temp, same food...he said they'd been housed together since babies. Either he's not telling me the truth or I've just over handled them. I'm going to leave them in peace for a week anyway and see how they do then. Will get another viv ASAP
Click to expand...
Moving (even if the viv is the same afterwards) is a very stressful event for snakes. Just being out of their familiar home can be stressful. That's why you'll always hear people say to not handle a new snake for at least a week. This period gives them time to explore, familiarize, and feel a little more secure that they're not gonna get eaten. After they start getting some security, this will reduce their stress, returning them to more normal behavior. Just like in humans, stress can and will affect a snake in many ways, from refusing to eat ... to all the way down the spectrum landing on increasing chances/actually causing illness and potential death.

Increased stress levels and the negative effects on snakes are actually one of the primary arguments against co-habitating most species. They don't think "Hey, I have a friend!" and gather some enjoyment from it. They usually think "Hey, there's something else in here with me. I hope it doesn't try to eat me. Oh crap, it's in my favorite hiding spot! This is no bueno. Hey, it just ate my dinner, wtf am I gonna do now?!?!?" While we may not notice the effects immediately or at all, they are happening. What you will ultimately observe is a more unhealthy snake, a more picky eater, and a shorter lifespan. Not absolutely always, some people will argue adamantly that they have always co-habbed with no problems. This might be true for some, but it is most definitely the exception not the rule. (And that's just the increased stress aspect of co-habitating, not even touching on accidental and premature breeding of improperly sexed animals... potential injury fighting over resources... increased difficulty in keeping tabs on them, it's impossible to know which one regurged, etc... and the potential to spread disease and parasites)

Long story short, the previous owner probably didn't lie about anything. The refusal to eat is more than likely a result of the relocation, and they probably have been living together what appears comfortably since they were babies. I'm glad to hear you're getting another viv, and I hope you enjoy your new pets for many many many years to come.
 
Wow! Thanks for all your advice! I'm going to leave them in peace for a week or so and try feeding again but I'll definitely start saving for a second viv!
 
Yeah same with my hubby. He likes them but does not share my new found love for them. But my kids on the other hand have started to ask if they can have their own lol x
 
Ok. Left them alone for a week, besides checking temps and changing water. Gonna try feeding again tomorrow so any tips? Been advised to put them in a plastic tub with mouse?
 
It's really hit or miss with feeding. Some snakes are really aggressive feeders and all you have to do is get the food near em and they strike and coil. Others will be more timid eaters, preferring to be left alone with the food for a while. If you don't get an immediate strike response, just leave the pinky in the container with them for a while, maybe even cover it up, and check back in a while later. If they're real young, don't try dangling the food in front of them or moving it around, this often scares young ones more than entice them.

Good luck!
 
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