| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MrsDavo |
Posted - 13/06/2012 : 19:14:48
Hey!
We have just brought home our first corn snake, one that was no longer wanted. He is 4 years old and the woman who we got him from says that she has been feeding him 1-2 jumbo mice twice a week!
But having done our research before we went to get him (and using this lovely site) , we found that they should have one every 10-14 days at that age? Is that correct?
He is very big, about 5ft in length and is quite thick. I'm wondering if she has been over feeding?
We have the full set up here and are looking forward to life with our new addition!  |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 16/06/2012 : 23:15:47
quote:
Originally posted by MrsDavo
We had a read of that thread the other night and I think Conan is worse than that. I'm so glad we rescued him when we did as otherwise I think he would have exploded soon.
He has all those tyre marks and slightly damaged scales as mentioned in that link. Poor Conan.
Should we weigh him every month or every 2 weeks? Obviously we have taken him on, and at the time didn't know the true extent of his weight problem when we did but now we do know we will do all we can to get him back to being healthy. Just hope we got to him in time.
I weigh my guy every time he sheds or every other time, there wont be much of a difference really over 2 weeks but sometimes I couldnt help but weigh my guy ever other week :P
I wonder if you will have to help him shed? I know when my guy had massive tyres it would take him forvere stp shed and squeeze out of his tyre sheds! Can't wait to see his guy when he drops the weight. |
| kdlang |
Posted - 16/06/2012 : 22:16:35
Look forward to hearing from you Sammie. I can't wait to see him in the flesh. I really think you have saved his life by taking him on. I'm not sure how much longer his body could have coped with such a strain.
I would probably weigh him every month before feeding so you are sure of getting an 'empty' weight. However, I expect curiosity will probably get the better of you and you will weigh him more often. I know I would lol. Just get a note book going so you can keep a record of his feeding and weight. I weigh my mice too but that may be a bit anal for some people, however it might help you as mice weights can vary alot and you would know exactly what he was being fed. |
| MrsDavo |
Posted - 16/06/2012 : 19:41:09
quote:
Originally posted by Sta~ple
Jesus I thought my snake was a right fat tart before the diet but 1500g :o that royal weight, a corn should not really be over 1kg! He actually looks exactly ike my guy before the deit, the tyres and everything except more fat! It is going to take years and years for that weight to come off, just as a heads up, ut every tme you see them shed, you can see the difference it's amazing.
If you read this, it has some tips on reduicing snake weight. http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11891&whichpage=1
I'd maybe try 1 small mouse every 2 weeks or a medium a month. Starting at 1 large a month sounds good but you probably will need to change that in a couple of months as they seem to slow down weight loss or keep the same at a certain point, specially in winter.
We had a read of that thread the other night and I think Conan is worse than that. I'm so glad we rescued him when we did as otherwise I think he would have exploded soon.
He has all those tyre marks and slightly damaged scales as mentioned in that link. Poor Conan.
Should we weigh him every month or every 2 weeks? Obviously we have taken him on, and at the time didn't know the true extent of his weight problem when we did but now we do know we will do all we can to get him back to being healthy. Just hope we got to him in time.
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| Sta~ple |
Posted - 16/06/2012 : 19:21:00
Jesus I thought my snake was a right fat tart before the diet but 1500g :o that royal weight, a corn should not really be over 1kg! He actually looks exactly ike my guy before the deit, the tyres and everything except more fat! It is going to take years and years for that weight to come off, just as a heads up, ut every tme you see them shed, you can see the difference it's amazing.
If you read this, it has some tips on reduicing snake weight. http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11891&whichpage=1
I'd maybe try 1 small mouse every 2 weeks or a medium a month. Starting at 1 arge a month sounds good but you probably will need to change that in a couple of months as they seem to slow down weight loss or keep the same at a certain point, specially in winter. |
| MrsDavo |
Posted - 16/06/2012 : 19:12:16
quote:
Originally posted by ashby_steve
One large mouse once a month will be fine,
snakes can live for months without eating a thing so don't feel bad for him either lol
im in the other boat unfortunatley, trying to get a snake back up to weight so i kind of know how you feel
hope all is well :)
Thanks for this - I suppose 1 large mouse a month is a big drop from 2 jumbos a week!
We will keep you updated on his progress |
| ashby_steve |
Posted - 16/06/2012 : 18:30:27
One large mouse once a month will be fine,
snakes can live for months without eating a thing so don't feel bad for him either lol
im in the other boat unfortunatley, trying to get a snake back up to weight so i kind of know how you feel
hope all is well :) |
| MrsDavo |
Posted - 16/06/2012 : 18:02:29
Hi everyone,
Thanks for the comments, I see my other half hijacked my thread haha.
Conan is doing really well. We haven't fed him since we got him obviously. We were given 1 jumbo mouse when we bought him, but as he is going on a diet, what size and frequency shall we start off with?
He is in serious need of a diet - he looks like he's about to explode in some of those pictures!
Conan is a lovely tempered snake though, I am really pleased with him. His eyes are back to normal now so wont be long until he sheds - After that I will get in touch Kdlang and you can come and meet sumo Conan for yourself?
Thanks :-)
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| kdlang |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 23:12:14
He sounds like a real grand chap. And how great that everyone (except perhaps your sister in law now lol) is sharing in the joy of your new family member.
You know, your not a true snake-keeper until you get pooped on and bitten. I'm afraid your sister in law is halfway there before you are  |
| Auld Baldy |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 21:11:53
The aspen is fine. Most folk use either aspen or beech wood chips, I use both as I bought bulk bags.
That's the kind of useful friends and family that I wish I had.
I'm afraid that being pooped upon comes with the territory. You will soon learn when it is 'safe to handle'. Tell your sister in law that she should feel honoured at being the chosen one of the evening. lol  |
| Lord Davo |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 19:43:29
I have a friend that works at a lighting firm so should be able to get me an LED strip real cheap so the bulb won't be staying, I have a vent to go over the hole when I take fitting out.
My dad is saving me big cardboard tubes to exercise him with for his viv and going to start some training on the stairs as well, I think just handling him regularly will help him a lot as he used to be in his enclosure 99% of the time which won't happen here.
His wood shavings are Aspen is it advisable to change? If so what would I be best using?
Really pleased with his temperament tho he seems to love people and being out and handled, half the family came to see him last night we had 7 people on the sofa (we have a corner suite half way round the room) he was going from one side and back again over everyone's laps until he did a massive poo on my sister in law don't think she was impressed lol.
Thanks for the comments and help peeps this is a great forum.
Lord Davo |
| kdlang |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 18:53:17
OMG!!! I have just about fallen off my chair in shock. Thats double the weight of my biggest snake. I can tell he is in great hands now. I actually feel sorry for the previous owner if she was left to care for him when her son lost interest, however a little research doesn't take long. After all, You found us and realised that he was being fed too much. I would suggest you still get a guard for your bulb if you are using one. I use energy saving bulbs and still use guards. If you think about how strong he is when he wraps around your hand, he could use that same strength around the bulb and crush it causing him to potentially have lots of nasty glass cuts.
I think it's going to take some time but I'm sure you will get him down to a much healthier weight.
Auld Baldy - Palace, my big girl, went on a diet of one medium mouse a month and with daily exercise soon started losing the weight. SHe was purchased as part of a deal on a viv stack I wanted and I never intended to keep her ( ouch that sounds mean ) so after 6 months, when I was sure she wasn't gravid and was starting to look much healthier, I gave her to a veterinary nurse who was going to continue her diet. I have had reports back that she is doing very well. |
| Red123 |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 17:20:00
Well certainly a porker lol, but still a handsome chap. Good luck with getting the weight off and well done for saving him from a life of obesity. Make sure you keep us updated on his progress with you. Oh and don't feel bad about feeding a small mouse less frequently, corns really do seem to thrive on next to nothing :) Mine do anyway |
| Auld Baldy |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 15:39:17
Nah! No shares in IKEA but I would happily accept another set as commission. |
| Blackcat |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 15:17:47
Welcome to you both and congrats on rescuing Conan from a life of obesity.
@ Auldy - I think you must have shares in Ikea, you constantly promote their LEDBERG lighting system |
| Auld Baldy |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 13:40:29
Hi Mrs D's other half.
WOW! That is a mighty challenge you have with Conan. 1.5 kg puts him in the Sumo Snake class.
Check out a local carpet shop and grab a section of the tubes that carpets are rolled up on. These make ideal hides and exercise areas for him to explore. Cheap (usually free) and easy to cut to size with an ordinary saw or hacksaw.
Even if the lamp is only switched on periodically it still needs a guard as it can still be reached and possibly crushed. A better idea is to fit a LED strip light. Less space taken up, less heat generated and no chance of getting smashed. I use and recommend IKEA 'LEDBERG' strips in three of my vivs.
@KD. How is your fatso's weight doing? |
| coxymk2 |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 13:01:02
Welcome to the forum he does need a course at weight-watchers poor thing. Hope everything goes well with his shed and his diet. |
| ScalySituation |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 12:43:25
welcome guys!!!
poor lamb, bet you're going to do a great job with him :) |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 12:33:43
'Lord 'Davo lol! Wow, he is mega obese, poor love! I think it's really good of you for taking him on - he's not going to like the diet much, but hopefully you'll get him back into shape!! Welcome to the forum guys :) |
| Lord Davo |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 10:32:36
Hi All,
First post here, MrsDavo's other half if you haven't guessed :-)
I don't want to be too hard on the person we bought him off, she was a really nice lady and obviously thought she was doing the right thing, the snake wasn't hers but her sons who lost interest so she ended up feeding and caring for it. Our main priority is getting him healthy again.
The light is never on there was no bulb in it when we got him, I put a low energy one in there and just turn it on when inspecting or need to see in the tank for cleaning etc, there is a 14w heat mat at other side and temps look perfect.
Ok measured and weighed and it's embarrassing, for him not me lol, a strict diet and exercise regime is in order, I would do the toilet tube thing but he wont fit through one :-0
Length: 5ft 1in
Weight: 1528g
he is BIG!
Few more pics
Measuring - 12 inches is where I folded the tape
Being a good boy sitting in the bowl :-)
OMG! How much!
Showing his fat reserves, not a good shape :-(
Damn he's strong!
Lord Davo |
| kdlang |
Posted - 15/06/2012 : 09:05:43
Just had another couple of thoughts. I was looking through preloved and I think I'v seen the ad that you got your snakey from. I'v spotted something that I didn't pick up on on your pics as I was so amazed at the size of him. What substrate has she been using in his viv as it looks suspiciously like wood shavings? These are not really very good for snakeys as they can often contain pine and pine is toxic to snakes. I think I also spotted a light fitting which needs to have a bulb guard on it to prevent injury. It does make me laugh that she says she wants a good knowledgable home when she doesn't appear to have bothered herself. |
