| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| n/a |
Posted - 08/05/2010 : 14:23:24
Hi, long time lurker first time poster here...
After having found my snake (figured out how he escaped and have taken measures to prevent it happening again) I've given him a mouse (which he took) and got him back in his terrarium but I have two questions:
1: He was being really aggressive and striking at me when I first found him, which according to what I've read is really unusual for cornsnakes and he was never aggressive like that before. Is this normal for cornsnakes that have been escaped for awhile? I'm planning to do the '7 day rule' thing with him before trying to handle him again, will his aggressiveness subside during that period?
2: The place I found him was out in my back garden, I've replaced the usual substrate I use (aspen) with white kitchen paper so I can keep an eye on any parasites he might have picked up. Are there any other measures I should take to ensure he stays healthy?
He's fairly small and only a couple of months old, if that helps. If you need any more info from me please ask. |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kellog |
Posted - 11/05/2010 : 05:33:14
I think it really is a case of going back to the beginning with handling him. Just start gently and calmly, try not to react if he strikes at you, be confident (or fake being confident) and keep handling times to 5 mins to begin with, slowly building them up - just as you would with a hatchling.
He needs to learn to trust you again and who knows what he has been through in the time he has been out, so it will take time to repair that damage.
I would certainly recommend that you weigh him when you can and keep an eye on his weight gain as he eats - if he isnt putting on weight then it is a sign he may have picked up some parasites. Other than a trip to the vets I am not sure how else you could tell....
xxx
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| Sta~ple |
Posted - 10/05/2010 : 22:27:30
Hehe don't worry about that. It's nice to know that he's fine so far though. |
| n/a |
Posted - 10/05/2010 : 21:44:05
Update:
I had to break the 7 day rule today and put him in his RUB for a few mins while I replaced his kitchen paper 'cause he crapped all over it, and while he was pretty jumpy (as usual) he didn't try to strike at me, so that seems to have worked out okay. I was gonna try handling him a bit but didn't want to push my luck. No apparrent sign of mites on him and I can't see any scratches or other injuries. Seems he's back to his old self again. Hopefully he's gonna be okay. |
| hiper2009 |
Posted - 10/05/2010 : 15:09:40
Glad hes back , I would just keep an eye on him to make sure he has no mites keep him on the paper towel for a few weeks.
Due to him having eascaped and him defending for him self and not being handled for 4 to 5 weeks this is why he may be a little aggresive , But this can be cured by regular handling after he has settled and he should calm down.  |
| Mouse |
Posted - 10/05/2010 : 10:18:26
Glad he's back! :D |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 08/05/2010 : 18:47:45
If he has been outside it might be worth a faecal checkup for parasites, some can only be seen with a microscope. |
| n/a |
Posted - 08/05/2010 : 17:27:59
oh solo they manage it. out one end up 12 houses down coming up someone toilet |
| n/a |
Posted - 08/05/2010 : 17:24:53
He was out for at least 4 or 5 weeks, I don't know if that whole time was spent outside, and I'm not even sure how he found his way outside considering I keep him in my computer room all the way up in the loft conversion. I'm just glad my mum discovered him before my cat did. Don't even want to think about how it would have turned out if he was discovered in a neighbours garden instead.
Anyway, thanks for the replies, he seems way too aggressive to get a proper look at him to check for cuts right now and I don't want to stress him out any further till his 7 days are up, but he appeared to be okay when I looked at him through his RUB and if he was energetic enough to strike at me then I guess he can't be all that lethargic. |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 08/05/2010 : 17:06:10
How long was the snake missing for? |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 08/05/2010 : 14:40:56
Hello :)
It's common for a snakes being young and small to be aggressive. I would put it down t him being an escapee for a while and maybe being a bit frightened or thinking that your fingers were food. It might subside a bit but don't be scared if he still displays this behaviour for a while, I'm sure it's nothing regular handling won't cure :)
Your very lucky to have found him again then if he was in your garden. Apart from clean water and food I'm sure that will keep him healthy :) If your worried about parasites, I would use some disposable or washable hidey places rather than anything fancy and natural.
I bet you can't wait until next week to handle him again :) |
| n/a |
Posted - 08/05/2010 : 14:36:15
hiya solo
glad to see you were reunited with your snake. we had a rat snake when i was younger that escaped a few times when she was found each time she was a small bit aggressive but it did subside again. one think i would say is maybe it would be good to check for any possible cuts or such after his adventure. hope all is good with him and he returns to his old self soon :D |
