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T O P I C    R E V I E W
n/a Posted - 31/05/2010 : 19:05:07
Hi all,
i was wondering if anyone can help me. My 5 yr old corn has started acting strangley in the last few weeks since his last shed.
His last shed was fine (checked eye caps etc) but since then he hasn't fed (usually has a feed straight after shedding).

When i have tried him with food, he dosnt seem to react any movements no matter how close to his face (its like he cant see it). Even when i move my hand really close to his face he dosnt react.
He has also become super active. He was always active except during shedding, but now he seems to be awake 24hrs a day!

He's now very determined to escape his tank. He used to be quite wary but would then come out but now soon as i open the tank to change water etc he's straight out like a bullet!
He likes to go out and about and then chooses to go back in the tank.
He's then settled for a while and then tries to escape again.

He spends most of his time with his face pushing against the glass trying to get out and now the scales on his nose are damaged. I have also noticed a few damaged scales on his underbelly too.
All temps etc are exactly the same, i did have him on a new substrate which i have now changed back to his usual incase this was the cause.

There is also no signs of mites (the tank gets regulary treated).
I just dont get whats got into him and why he's wasting so much energy and damaging himself. He's never acted like this in the 5yrs i've had him.

Please help!!
11   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
mikerichards Posted - 18/06/2010 : 23:23:36
If you want, take a nice close up of the vent area, from underneath, although its not fool proof, its sometimes possible to see if its male or female.
n/a Posted - 18/06/2010 : 20:00:20
i was wondering if anyone could help me! i have just been given a snake after wanting one for many years....my friend could no longer look after it and i was more than happy to look after it.....ive recently noticed some strange behaviour with him and have become worried. he is extremely limp and will not move apart from his head which he lifts slightly...he is also lying with his mouth open with his tongue hanging out...although if i handle him his tongue is moving as normal i dont know what to do about this and was wondering if somebody could help me !!!!!!
Mouse Posted - 14/06/2010 : 21:52:02
Clarabelle - how did it go?! Is it a boy?

alicflor - yup, that's normal boy behaviour. Have you got a lock for your viv door? if not you best get/make one, as they're very strong, and masters of escape!

That's normal, and my boy is still doing it! :D

Fraid you're gonna have to put up with it on a yearly basis!!
n/a Posted - 14/06/2010 : 13:54:30
Hi Clarabelle!

I am having exactly the same problem with my corn snake. I was told in the shop a year ago that he was a male, but to be honest he hasn't been checked.

He is constantly active and trying to scape his vivarium. He pushes his face all the time against the glass and tries to open the sliding door. Last night he managed to open it and scape!! I was lucky to realize on time!!

I am so worried as well as I am not very familiar with corn snakes. As I say I got him about a year ago and this is the first time he is behaving like this. I was told in the shop he was 1 year and a half old so he might be now 2 years and a half.

He has damaged his skin as well and when I get him out he moves extremelly fast!

Any suggestion people?

Thanks in advance!!

Mouse Posted - 02/06/2010 : 19:32:34
Where do you live? if you're near an experienced member on here, maybe you can smile sweetly and get yours probed?!!
Kellog Posted - 01/06/2010 : 15:06:44
To be honest it sounds exactly like how my 2 males are behaving at the moment and have been for the past 2 months....totally ignoring any food offered, causing chaos in their vivs because they are so active and Kellog has a sore nose from pushing against the glass trying to escape - all because they are horny. I went through this with Kellog when I first got him and he refused to eat for 13 weeks. After he refused the first couple of times I found the forum and they kept me sane, explaining what was going on and what to do.

Do you weigh him? If not then it would be a good idea to start. That way you can see if he is only losing a small amount of weight (which would mean that it is a natural fast due to the breeding season) or if he is losing a lot of weight then it may be that he is off his food for another reason.

Dont be tempted to offer him food more often than normal, just keep to his normal feeding days. Try looking at this topic which has some good advice on encouraging a non-feeder to eat (although it doesnt help much when they are off their food cos they want a female) - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3720

The only bit I am not sure about is what you say about him not even being able to see the mouse. Although I know that my snakes seem to pretend that the mouse isnt even there, they ignore it totally when it is offered. Is his tongue reaction normal, flicking in and out to check smell? When you have him out and are handling him is he behaving normally?

I am no expert Clarabelle, so can only talk from the experience I have had (and am having) with my 2 males....and I know that one of these days they will eat again....probably when I least expect it!

It is a good idea to try and exclude any other possibilities though, especially with the sight issue. Hopefully someone more experienced will come along soon to give you some advice.

xxx
Mouse Posted - 01/06/2010 : 10:02:29
My boy Gobo has spent the last three weeks doing that. He's got a pink nose now from all his pushing the glass, and he split a couple of ventrals because he's a pillock!!

He's worse than when he was horny. (unless he's horny again!!!)

Maybe it's just a mid month crisis!!
n/a Posted - 31/05/2010 : 19:34:18
i've had a go and cant feel anything,but that may just be me not doing it right!
Im thinking bout taking him to a reptile shop tomorrow to get him checked over properly so hopefully they will tell me if theres anything (and if he is definatley a he!)
matty18714 Posted - 31/05/2010 : 19:26:49
Its pretty standard behaviour for a female thats about to lay eggs. Snakes can lay eggs without being near a male, but they would be infertile.

Starting from about half way down the snake, put your thumb on the top of the spine and gently poke your first finger into the snake from underneath pushing up (only very slight pressure!). If it is eggs, you should be able to feel them as you slide your hand (keeping it in the same possition) from where you started down to the vent.

Of course if your not comfortable doing that, please dont do it.
n/a Posted - 31/05/2010 : 19:19:22
i was told by the pet shop he was male so not had him sexed or anything since.
Do you think it could be wrong?
matty18714 Posted - 31/05/2010 : 19:11:16
Is it definatley male?

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