Questions from a new owner

[Amanda47]

Sorry about the generic title, and the list of questions

I got my new snake yesterday, pretty exciting. I was only slightly put off by the panicky way he tries to get away from my hands when I held him, hopefully that will change. Anyway:

1. Snakes in the dark - Are they okay to stay in the dark all the time? I know they don't need a special cage light, but I keep mine in my bedroom where, as a shift worker, it's almost always dark, no light from the windows and I only turn on the overhead light when I'm changing or obsessively checking on the new snake. I've read that they benefit from having/knowing a day-night cycle, but how much or little light do they need? Do I need to take down my curtains? I hate sunshine

2. Feeding half a pinkie - How would you cut a pinkie in half, across the middle, or from top to bottom? I won't be feeding him for a few more days, and like most people, I think mine looks too small for even the smallest pinkie. I will try a whole one first, but if it comes to feeding tricks, how do you cut those little mice?

3. Feeding two pinkies for one meal - How long do you wait between the two? I'm several months away from this, but I've been wondering. Do you just put both pinks in the feeding container and hope the snake eats? If I hand (tongs) feed, how long would I wait before putting the second pinkie in his face?

4. Temperature sensors -How do you properly secure them while still being able to clean the tub? I've learned for myself that the suction cups are no good and the hot glue suggestion seems like a good one. But when it comes time to clean, what do I do? Carry the thermostat, digital thermometer and the UTH taped to the bottom to the sink and try to keep them all dry? Do I peel off the hot glue and re-apply every time? Is that possible?


I think that's all I've got for now. Thanks!

 

[Buzzard]

1. Day/night cycle is really only of importance if you are breeding. Corn snakes tend to be nocturnal and active at night.

2. When we feed 1/2 pinkies we usually separate into head and body portions.

3. You can put both in there with him or you can wait until he is almost finished with the other one and then if he seems interested in another feed the other one. Another option when you get to the 2 pinky point is to up the prey size to the next available size (ex. pinky to fuzzy) Don't know how old your snake is but one pinky should do fine for awhile especially if you are considering cutting the pinky in half at this point.

4. Not quite sure what type of enclosure you are using (since you are taking it to the sink to clean) - most breeders use some type of sterlite tub and substrate that can be checked daily/weekly and spot cleaned for any poop - the probe in our tub is secured with packing tape. If we need to move it - it is relatively easy to relocate.

 

[Dakota314]

What Buzzard said. For 4, I use hot glue to secure my probes. You really don't need to scrub the enclosure with soap and water, well, ever really. Just pick up poop when you see it. I use aspen, so I check for poop daily, and I do a full substrate change about once every 4-5 months.

 

[Amanda47]

Thanks guys, that's some helpful info. A few more questions have come up, if anyone could help me...

Some info: The snake is 4.5 months old, I've him for one week, and he's kept in a plastic tub about 12"L x 9"W x 11"H, aspen bedding.

I fed him two days ago, smallest pinkie I could find, and he ate it quickly. It didn't leave much of a bump in him that I noticed.

1) He didn't seem to move all day today, or moved away then back again before I got home. It was during the day, but will they stay in the same spot all day?


2) He's not moving around as much as he has been, which I attributed to having just ate. But 48 hours later, he's still not as active at night. He's also really cold to the touch (in my inexperienced opinion), but has been since I got him. Maybe that's normal.

I took out his hides (toilet paper tubes and a few wadded up sheets of paper towels) and water dish and that got him moving and diving under the bedding, like normal. Eventually he poked just his head out and we stared at each other for a while.

While watching his head, he opened his mouth several times. A few times it was pretty wide open, the rest it was just barely open. Not sticking his tongue out while doing it. Is this normal, or is he dehydrated, or sick, or anything?


3a) How soon after eating do they poop? There was no poo in the deli cup when I received him, I fed him five days after I got him and there was no poo up to that point, and now it's two days after feeding and still no poo. No regurge either.

3b) Will they poop and regurgitate on top of the bedding, or do I need to dig for it? I do have maybe two inches of aspen on the "cool" side, about half an inch on the "warm" side. I did fluff the bedding tonight, no poo or regurge.

 

[bitsy]

I fed him two days ago..... 1) He didn't seem to move all day today... will they stay in the same spot all day?

It's common after eating, as their digestive systems need a lot of energy. They usually go back to normal activity levels when the meal's gone through. 2 days is about right - he should be be back to normal shortly.

2) He's not moving around as much as he has been, which I attributed to having just ate. But 48 hours later, he's still not as active at night. He's also really cold to the touch (in my inexperienced opinion), but has been since I got him. Maybe that's normal.

Given that a Corn's ideal max is 90 and your core body temp is around 96, then yes, it's normal for them to feel cold or cool when you touch them. However it's worth double-checking the temp on the warm side floor.

I took out his hides (toilet paper tubes and a few wadded up sheets of paper towels) and water dish and that got him moving and diving under the bedding, like normal. Eventually he poked just his head out and we stared at each other for a while.

It's best not to disturb a Corn that's still digesting, otherwise you risk a regurge. He'll come out when he's ready.

While watching his head, he opened his mouth several times. A few times it was pretty wide open, the rest it was just barely open. Not sticking his tongue out while doing it. Is this normal, or is he dehydrated, or sick, or anything?

Could just be realigning his jaws. Listen out for audible sounds when breathing - sometimes gaping can be a sign of a respiratory illness. But I'm betting he was just startled at being disturbed.

3a) How soon after eating do they poop? There was no poo in the deli cup when I received him, I fed him five days after I got him and there was no poo up to that point, and now it's two days after feeding and still no poo. No regurge either.

2 days is a bit soon but it varies between snakes. There are really no rules for this one. As long as you have the right temp on the floor at the warm side and a hide or two over there, he'll use the heat to regulate his own digestive system.

3b) Will they poop and regurgitate on top of the bedding, or do I need to dig for it? I do have maybe two inches of aspen on the "cool" side, about half an inch on the "warm" side. I did fluff the bedding tonight, no poo or regurge.

Oh they just LOVE to hide it! Quite often with a hatchling you can go for several feeds and miss the poop during a general clean-out. Don't worry - as they get older it all becomes horribly obvious...!

 

[Amanda47]

Thanks a bunch Bitsy, eases my mind quite a bit!

I think maybe I checked on him too early tonight. Walked in on him a few hours later and he had crawled up the sensor wires and was stretched out across the lid of the tub, defying gravity. I won't worry too much about his health with those kinds of acrobatics.

Thanks again!

 

[Mr Oni]

Yea, i still have yet to find poop myself.