Newbie. When to feed new snake

[jasonn]

Greetings,

We have decided not to wait for our new family member and tomorrow is the big day. My daughter is excited as we purchased (and she) setup a nice new 15 gal. viv in her room this weekend.

Apparently the hatchlings are one month old and great eaters (cute little Anery's). They are fed on Wednesdays so I suspect our new friend will be hungy by this Wed. However, he/she will have only been in our home for 24 hours on Wednesday and likely will not yet be adjusted to his/her new viv and still be missing his/her 6 little brothers and sisters?

How long after we bring the little fella home should we allow before attempting a feeding?


Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Jason

 

[rachel132002]

I've been lucky and had them a few days before feeding time but from what I know people usually leave it around 3 or 4 days and see if the snake takes it. But if when you get it home if it appears to be LOOKING for food throw a pinky in to see what happens. Eating does take a while with babies as mine play with it first so don't be put off by this it's probably just sussing it out


Rach


Ps. I don't know about others but I usually feed my baby 4-5days depending on how the bump goes as opposed to 7but 7 may be fine. Find out all you can

GOOD LUCK!

 

[EtherRex]

I fed my snake the same day I bought her home. No problems, although I did leave her alone completely for the next 3 days (apart from picking out the poo). The cornsnake manual (which you really should buy, if you havent already) recommends leaving them alone for the first week with no handling IIRC.

Im sure other, more experienced ,herpers will have their opinions too.

 

[CAV]

Congratulations

My experience has been that most hatchlings adjust quickly to a change in surroundings. I'd recommend waiting at least 3 days before offering a meal. This gives the newest family member a change to calm down a little. When you do feed it, offer the smallest size pinkie available. Even if it looks like it can handle a bigger one, start small. (This is a good habit to get into when acquiring any new animal, regardless of its' size)

More importantly, make every effort to not handle the little guy for a while. I know that this it is a time of great excitement for your family, but try to resist the urge At least 10-12 days would be optimal.

Good luck and keep us posted on the progress.

 

[jasonn]

Re: Congratulations

Corn Snake Manual

The Corn Snake Manual is on the way from Amazon. We've already read; 'Corn Snakes:Reptile Keeper's Guide' and 'Corn Snakes and Other Rat Snakes' .

More importantly, make every effort to not handle the little guy for a while

When transferring him/her from the pet stores chinese takout looking box to the viv, shall we place it in the viv and let him come out on his own or...?


Cheers,
Jason

 

[CAV]

You can let them come out or gently "dump" them out. After I feed, I turn the deli cup or feeding box on its edge and slide them out. Just don't try this from 2-3"......

The little buggars are actually fairly hardy. Be gentle but don't be afraid to have contact with them.

 

[tina]

CAV did you really mean 10-12 days!!!!! That seems an eternity. We waited 2 days to pick them up after we brought them home, mainly because I was nervous and thought they would be too fragile. But they were fine , they were only 2 1/2 weeks old when we got them, I was able to pick them up from the breeder. They ate the on the 3rd day, and it took all of 5 mins for the pinkie to be a mere lump half way down the body. We've been holding them nearly every day since then, holding off the day after they feed. They seem pretty calm and friendly and are fine, I think mostly you have to see how each individual reacts.

Tina

 

[Chip]

Yeah, 10-12 days... not hours

If an animal is driven home and quickly comes into it's new environment it will have a faster "settling in" period, but so much has changed for the little guy, I think it's worth it. New enclosure, smells, vibrations... they do require an adjustment period before handling. And I think CAV meant 2-3' not 2-3" for dumping out! He's watched "Spinal Tap" too many times!

Just Kidding CAV!

 

[mattsnake]

still be missing his/her 6 little brothers and sisters?

He dosent miss the other snakes, in fact he is probably glad he is away from them.

He could possibly miss the envirnonment and smells though.

 

[h0mersimps0n]

I'm concerned, you stated you have a 15 gal setup all ready. I'm pretty positive that all-glass doesn't make a 15 gal sliding/locking lid. How are you planning to completely, entirely, 1000% surely keep that lid tightly locked and sealed.

Houdini couldn't hold a stick to these escape artists, corns rule over all and never take for granted their speed or will to escape.

GOOD LUCK, and last warning:

-understand that as a new corn snake owner you have an 80% chance of becoming completely, utterly and totally obsessed... It's an illness, a reptile bug that can not be shaken and nearly all of us in here have succumbed to the yearning for more...

ULTIMATECORNSNAKES.COM says it best, "everyone needs another corn"

HAVE FUN!

P.S. Handle little as possible, feed attempt right away if desire, don't be upset if no eat, wait 5 days, then if eats ok, feed every 3-5 days.

CORN SNAKE MANUAL = don't leave home without it!

 

[CAV]

CAV did you really mean 10-12 days!!!!!

Yes I did. I have had much better results not handling new comers for a couple of weeks. In my experience, they are much calmer in the long run. As I stated, I understand that you want to spend as much time with your new pet as possible but that isn't always in the little guy's best interest.

"Hello Cleveland!" Yeah, I was shooting for 2-3" not inches.