Celestine8
New member
Well, today was going to be the day I picked up Eden for the first time to feed her. Well, I managed to scare the hell out of it and not to get ahold it. So should I just place food in or what?
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- Thread starter Celestine8
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ronlina
New member
poor thing..
How did you manage to scare it? It's still probably getting used to the place and is probably pretty skittish. I'd say if you gave ita good scare wait a few days before trying again, handle her gently and try to approach it from somewhere other than directly above it, if possible, so it doesn't assume you're a threat to its life. Then try feeding in a different area, such as a plastic food container with a lid (and breathing holes, of course) ...it may still be so nervous it won't eat, but just be patient. No need to stress it out too much, it probably just needs time.
How did you manage to scare it? It's still probably getting used to the place and is probably pretty skittish. I'd say if you gave ita good scare wait a few days before trying again, handle her gently and try to approach it from somewhere other than directly above it, if possible, so it doesn't assume you're a threat to its life. Then try feeding in a different area, such as a plastic food container with a lid (and breathing holes, of course) ...it may still be so nervous it won't eat, but just be patient. No need to stress it out too much, it probably just needs time.
Celestine8
New member
I lifted up Eden's hide rock and held my hand out, seemed okay with this but wanted nothing to do with me, I slowly reached out and once I touched my snake, she freaked out, bit and dashed for the other side of the cage and rattled her tail. I decided to leave her alone after that one, seems better today, not pushed into the back of the hide, but loosely coiled again. Might just have to somehow put another container holding the mouse in the cage that she can get into.
daveyboy
Mohawk Dave
Don't make the meal to hard to find, plus just get her picked up and see if she will calm down. I put my little one in a seperate shoe box size rubbermaid with a snap on lid and leave her for 30 minutes to eat some where dark. Even if they are skittish when you put them in with the food she should calm down once your gone. Then sneak back in and check to see if she has eaten with as little disturbance as possible, if not give her another 30 minutes. It has always worked for me, most of the time it is just our being more upset than the snake.
P.S. Mine tail rattled for the first three feeds, she will get used to you.
P.S. Mine tail rattled for the first three feeds, she will get used to you.
Attachments
galaxip
New member
Beauty snake, Daveyboy!
All,
Maybe I'm handling too often?.. I've had my 2 corns for 2 and 1 weeks respectively (October '03 hatchlings). I have handled each of them every day except for two days or three after weekly feeding. One snake has regurged twice, I think it ate too big; the other has held down dinner nicely, twice.
But although the newer one, the breeder said she struck him <B>three times</B> when he brought her out, she was only skittish with me the first time I handled her, and now she practically runs to me, likes to stay in my hands. Neither snake has tried to strike me (yet).
All,
Maybe I'm handling too often?.. I've had my 2 corns for 2 and 1 weeks respectively (October '03 hatchlings). I have handled each of them every day except for two days or three after weekly feeding. One snake has regurged twice, I think it ate too big; the other has held down dinner nicely, twice.
But although the newer one, the breeder said she struck him <B>three times</B> when he brought her out, she was only skittish with me the first time I handled her, and now she practically runs to me, likes to stay in my hands. Neither snake has tried to strike me (yet).
Celestine8
New member
Maybe you're right, Eden only bit when I touched her and tried to get a grip with gloves on, but she really thought about biting me before she did ( it took a few seconds).
Skye
New member
galaxip:
if your corn has regurgitated twice and you have only had it one or two weeks, then you are not leaving a big enough gap for the snake to recover from the first regurgitation.
A commonly used and very successful method many experienced corn keepers use is if a snake regurgs, do not offer it food again for TEN days. Yes, 10 whole days. This allows the snake to sort out its digestive system and get it back to normal. Regurgitation puts some significant stress on the snakes internal systems.
It is quite possible that your snake is regurgitating due to stress from over-handling. I would suggest that you don't handle it either for those 10 days, and only start handling it again once it is eating normally. I agree that not handling for 2 or 3 days after weekly feeding is a good idea, and once a snake is eating without problems, I think it is fine to handle a snake daily.
Try to leave that snake alone now and let it settle down and recouperate.
Best Wishes, Skye
if your corn has regurgitated twice and you have only had it one or two weeks, then you are not leaving a big enough gap for the snake to recover from the first regurgitation.
A commonly used and very successful method many experienced corn keepers use is if a snake regurgs, do not offer it food again for TEN days. Yes, 10 whole days. This allows the snake to sort out its digestive system and get it back to normal. Regurgitation puts some significant stress on the snakes internal systems.
It is quite possible that your snake is regurgitating due to stress from over-handling. I would suggest that you don't handle it either for those 10 days, and only start handling it again once it is eating normally. I agree that not handling for 2 or 3 days after weekly feeding is a good idea, and once a snake is eating without problems, I think it is fine to handle a snake daily.
Try to leave that snake alone now and let it settle down and recouperate.
Best Wishes, Skye
galaxip
New member
Thank you for the advice...Skye said:
Last feeding was past Wednesday. Regurged on Thursday. I've been handling LOTS starting Friday. a WHOLE lot Sunday.
Late last night she was very restless and was patrolling the viv and stopping for a moment to stare at me when she got to the corner outside which I was sitting. I think she is looking for food? Or else she is stressed out.
Currently I'm planning to leave her to relax until Wed or Thursday when the pet store will have pinkies again..
The one that eats good only wants to sleep.
The one that can't keep food down loves to cuddle.
Skye
New member
great news that you are planning on leaving her to relax - she will benefit from it I am sure.
If she regurgitated on Thursday, and it was her second regurg. in a row - make sure it is 10 dyas before you offer her food again. If you need to buy when the petstore has some, then buy then and freeze the pinkies until you need them, and just thaw them out as required. I'm thinking you won't be wanting to feed her again until Sunday evening.
Skye
If she regurgitated on Thursday, and it was her second regurg. in a row - make sure it is 10 dyas before you offer her food again. If you need to buy when the petstore has some, then buy then and freeze the pinkies until you need them, and just thaw them out as required. I'm thinking you won't be wanting to feed her again until Sunday evening.
Skye
galaxip
New member
Ten days after 2nd regurge? Man that'll be a hungry snake.
Plus I've never fed F/T so dunno if it will float.
So trying to cut our losses...
1. If I feed Wed and she cannot keep it down, I have to wait ANOTHER 10 days... Bad.
2. If I wait until Sun (poor snake) and she won't touch F/T, I still only have to wait until Tue or Wed to try live again... Bad, but not as bad as waiting ANOTHER full 10 days.
I just hate to make her wait, I'm sure she's HUNGRY.
Thanks, Skye.
Plus I've never fed F/T so dunno if it will float.
So trying to cut our losses...
1. If I feed Wed and she cannot keep it down, I have to wait ANOTHER 10 days... Bad.
2. If I wait until Sun (poor snake) and she won't touch F/T, I still only have to wait until Tue or Wed to try live again... Bad, but not as bad as waiting ANOTHER full 10 days.
I just hate to make her wait, I'm sure she's HUNGRY.
Thanks, Skye.
CAV
Dazed and Cornfused
Even 20 days isn't that big of a deal. I've seen everything from hatchlings and adults go for months with out a meal. Snakes don't eat several time a day or week like a typical mammalian pet.
I'd recommend leaving your snakes alone for a couple of weeks. IMO, they benefit from a settling in period. When you offer them a first meal, always start out smaller rather than larger. This will allow you to better determine the correct meal size for your snake.
I'd recommend leaving your snakes alone for a couple of weeks. IMO, they benefit from a settling in period. When you offer them a first meal, always start out smaller rather than larger. This will allow you to better determine the correct meal size for your snake.
tyretosmom
New member
Has it ever (in your care) kept down a meal? It sounds as though you have only had it a few weeks. If its never kept down a meal for you I would collect some feces and take it to a vet to make sure your little snake doesn't have any paraistes. Its fairly in expensive, and any vet can do it.
I would also wait to feed. I don't recall if you mentioned what your heated side was but I would also cheak the temps. Also When you ask for a pinkie ask for the smallest one they have.
Good luck,
Jaimee
galaxip
New member
Thanks for awesome advice, everyone!!
Having a panel of experienced caring snake handlers is priceless.
Cav... That sounds sound... But it will be hard to keep away.
I think the good eater may need this approach. She is rather sluggish, and I want to rule out stress/depression.
Skye... 60 days? Yowza. I've seen a garter do well on 1 small toad per month (for maybe 3 months). the youth of my corns, and the fact I want to make them fat-n-happy is my motivation for worrying.
tyretosmom... Yes both are from late Oct '03.
One has eaten 2 for 2 attempts. The other is -2 for 2.
Thx for mentioning temp... I have not checked it, but will. I live in southern FL so the temp is 72-85 in my garage... Also I have a thermostat on an undertank heater set on low, just in case.
I will see a vet if next feeding has any snags. I want to verify lack of parasites, anyway.
Having a panel of experienced caring snake handlers is priceless.
Cav... That sounds sound... But it will be hard to keep away.
I think the good eater may need this approach. She is rather sluggish, and I want to rule out stress/depression.
Skye... 60 days? Yowza. I've seen a garter do well on 1 small toad per month (for maybe 3 months). the youth of my corns, and the fact I want to make them fat-n-happy is my motivation for worrying.
tyretosmom... Yes both are from late Oct '03.
One has eaten 2 for 2 attempts. The other is -2 for 2.
Thx for mentioning temp... I have not checked it, but will. I live in southern FL so the temp is 72-85 in my garage... Also I have a thermostat on an undertank heater set on low, just in case.
I will see a vet if next feeding has any snags. I want to verify lack of parasites, anyway.
tyretosmom
New member
housing
Are you housing your corns together? When i was reading another post I got the impression that they are together. If so that might be why he is regurging.
Many people say not to house corns together. there are a few people that say that its okay. It has been debabted on here sevral times before.
If you are housing them together im wondering if you bought them together or did you introduce them to one another?
Jaimee
Are you housing your corns together? When i was reading another post I got the impression that they are together. If so that might be why he is regurging.
Many people say not to house corns together. there are a few people that say that its okay. It has been debabted on here sevral times before.
If you are housing them together im wondering if you bought them together or did you introduce them to one another?
Jaimee
galaxip
New member
Houseing
Yep they are housed together, although I expect in a year or so to separate them.
I bought them separately, one week apart, but I beleive they are from the same clutch.
I'll have to look around when I have more time (late already tonight) and read up on this... I was unaware.
I have seen a lot of photos of canibal corns, though (is that the reason for the controversy? is this common?). I would be VERY unhappy if that happened here.
Yep they are housed together, although I expect in a year or so to separate them.
I bought them separately, one week apart, but I beleive they are from the same clutch.
I'll have to look around when I have more time (late already tonight) and read up on this... I was unaware.
I have seen a lot of photos of canibal corns, though (is that the reason for the controversy? is this common?). I would be VERY unhappy if that happened here.
Skye
New member
There are many reasons stated for not housing corns together, I'll try to list some of them below, but if you do a search on this topic you will pull up much wisdom from many people over time.
Cannibalism is not common, but has been recorded on a few occasions, and so a common view is why take the risk.
If one snake gets ill, the other probably will too.
If one snake regurgs, you won't necessarily know which one it was, and hence what to do with regards to feeding schedules, treatment etc.
They may mate at too young an age is they happen to be one of each sex.
Being together in a confined space will often cause stress. Regurgitating is a possible sign of a stressed snake.
Do a search - many have been much more articulate on this subject than me late at night.
Skye
tyretosmom
New member
Im going to guess the rugurg is probably due to stress. If they were healthy and eating good before I doubt its a health problem.
If you got them and they were not together, introducing them into one tank can cause them stress. Also handling them to often or for long periods before they get settled in can cause stress.
When you bought them where they in the same viv or did you get them in deli style cups? Asuming they are from the same clutch doesn't mean they will get along. I've got some siblings that stess me out
I would try to seperate them, and leave them for 10 days then feed again. I know its hard! But its what is best for your snakes.
If you don't have the funds to go out and buy a hole new viv then you can try to get a plastic shoe box from walmart and drill holes in the side. Not to big though try paper towels for substrate, you can cut a towlet paper roll in half for a hide. It can be done for fairly cheap and they don't care!
I would still get some samples of their poop and take it into see if they have any parasites.
PS make sure that the shoebox had a lid that snapes on. You dont want any escapee
Jaimee
If you got them and they were not together, introducing them into one tank can cause them stress. Also handling them to often or for long periods before they get settled in can cause stress.
When you bought them where they in the same viv or did you get them in deli style cups? Asuming they are from the same clutch doesn't mean they will get along. I've got some siblings that stess me out
I would try to seperate them, and leave them for 10 days then feed again. I know its hard! But its what is best for your snakes.
If you don't have the funds to go out and buy a hole new viv then you can try to get a plastic shoe box from walmart and drill holes in the side. Not to big though
try paper towels for substrate, you can cut a towlet paper roll in half for a hide. It can be done for fairly cheap and they don't care!I would still get some samples of their poop and take it into see if they have any parasites.
PS make sure that the shoebox had a lid that snapes on. You dont want any escapee
Jaimee
galaxip
New member
The breeder told me these were housed in vivs with other hatchlings (can I still call an Oct. '03 a hatchling?). But I suppose that is no guarantee they'll be good to each other.
I'll look around a bit tonite and more tomorrow for ~housing together~ info... Thanks for the tips.
Sounds like I may want to rethink my housing plans very soon.
But so far these two spend about half their time ignoring each other, and about half time coiled up together like bosom buddies.
*******************
Update:
Both snakes are currently digesting dinner (as of Friday night).
It has been tough leaving them alone.
*******************
Obtaining housing won't be a problem... I'll get an identical 20L if/when it comes to that.
I'll look around a bit tonite and more tomorrow for ~housing together~ info... Thanks for the tips.
Sounds like I may want to rethink my housing plans very soon.
But so far these two spend about half their time ignoring each other, and about half time coiled up together like bosom buddies.
*******************
Update:
Both snakes are currently digesting dinner (as of Friday night).
It has been tough leaving them alone.
*******************
Obtaining housing won't be a problem... I'll get an identical 20L if/when it comes to that.