| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| cherrysmum |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 15:49:01
Hi there, I have read the stickies and lots of posts that have really helped me so far with my first corn but just wondering what you guys think!...
I picked up Cherry on Saturday and fed her on sunday which is her feed day (all went fine and has pooped!) and was going to try to pick her up tomorrow after leaving her to settle - only been going in viv to straighten up, check temps and top up water but noticed yesterday that she was spending lots of time under her log in the cool section and was going pale and inactive and a bit tense when I know she is usually very placid but today her eyes are cloudy so definately in shed! So do I just abandon trying to pick her up until she has actually shed her skin which I suppose would be more like next weekend? I am still going to offer her food on sunday as I know she is a good feeder from her previous owner (she is 10 months old and according to her records last shed in jan)
Thank you!! |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kellog |
Posted - 07/04/2013 : 09:29:05
quote:
Originally posted by cherrysmum
........this morning I found her shed! As a first time shed finder it was quite exciting! Checked it over the eye bits are there and tail so all is good........
Now I am desperate to get my first handle out of the way as I keep swinging from being nervous to excited and been having dreams of all sorts of snakey things! Thing is she is doing a lot of tongue flicking - I know her environment is still kind of new but I bet she is really hungry and sunday is feed day so do I just leave her, feed her at tea time as usual and then wait for her to poop etc then go for the first handle when she has got over shedding and has a full tummy!? :) Thank you...! :)
That's fantastic news  . I know those who aren't snake lover won't understand your excitement at all...but I definitely do! Well done for checking to make sure it was a clean shed. I'm sure the extra water bowl helped, especially with how dry the air is at the moment.
I know you're nervous/excited about that first handle, but personally I would feed her today instead of handling her. I know it means another wait, but, to my mind, it's more important that she eats and she is going to be hungry. My attitude is always that you've got years of handling ahead of you, so it's better to focus on what's important, like her feeding....BUT that is only my personal opinion.
You will have to handle her a bit, if you are keeping a record of her weight  ....but only what is necessary to do that!
Xxx
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| cherrysmum |
Posted - 07/04/2013 : 09:10:56
Hi well was beginning to worry that I had done something wrong but last night noticed that Cherry was sat in the warmer side and had come out of hiding and this morning I found her shed! As a first time shed finder it was quite exciting! Checked it over the eye bits are there and tail so all is good, I did put an extra little tub of water on the hot side for humidity as I had read so hopefully that helped too!
Now I am desperate to get my first handle out of the way as I keep swinging from being nervous to excited and been having dreams of all sorts of snakey things! Thing is she is doing a lot of tongue flicking - I know her environment is still kind of new but I bet she is really hungry and sunday is feed day so do I just leave her, feed her at tea time as usual and then wait for her to poop etc then go for the first handle when she has got over shedding and has a full tummy!? :) Thank you...! :) |
| Foxtrotsierra |
Posted - 02/04/2013 : 10:02:22
cherrysmum - these ladies have been a lifesaver to me the past month. I got a dehydrated, underweight and age not actually true corn snake a month ago, and they have been beyond fantastic to me.
I am just so glad that Cherry has a fab mum and came from a fab breeder for you. Really looking forwards to seeing pictures of her. My little girl has just gone into blue and is favouring her cool hide too |
| Kellog |
Posted - 02/04/2013 : 04:00:02
Glad you're feeling more positive. I do like the way your husband compared Cherry not being handled to cats going feral, very clever of him....and right.
I'm also glad to hear that Cherry had such a good start in life. I know what you mean about it being so nice to chat to others about snakes. You may have Cherry's breeder and your brother-in-law but, as you say, they have lives and you don't want to constantly be bothering them to 'talk snake'....whereas on here we'll happily 'talk snake' all day !! It's the only place I can, here and the Facebook group. None of my family or friends are interested, they just think I'm crazy  . That's probably why my posts are so long....all that pent-up 'snake talk' coming out  !
No need for the thanks, it's what everyone is on here for....to learn and help . What's so nice is having someone as receptive as you, someone who wants to do everything they possibly can for their snake  . I just wish more snake owners were like you!!
Xxx
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| cherrysmum |
Posted - 01/04/2013 : 19:34:45
yes everyone has been a really big help so thank you! :) The lady who I got her off was lovely and has put a lot of hard work into Cherry so want to carry it on! but I know she is very busy - I know that she would answer questions all day long and my brother in law has a corn called Kellogg but its nice to chat to others too! Feeling a bit more positive today as I know Cherry popped out last night at least to the water bowl as substrate had moved around and like my partner said the cats don't turn feral in a fortnight when we go away! Just want to tick it off but obviously more than happy to wait so we all get of to the best start as possible - hopefully! as she will be with us for quite some while :) xx |
| Kellog |
Posted - 01/04/2013 : 03:04:11
quote:
Originally posted by cherrysmum
Hi all - thanks for the welcome! :) She hasn't moved from her cool section in 2 days (checked temps), I am new to snakes but I am 100% in blue. Is this normal? today was feed day but didn't as per advise and the fact she hasn't really moved I don't want to stress her out. Will admit as a newbie getting a tad more nervous of getting her out now!
Yet again your question has been answered really well . As has been said, it's totally normal for a snake that's 'blue' to stay in hiding, particularly when it's eyes are cloudy and it is virtually blind. You may see Cherry out and about once her eyes have cleared but before she sheds, but not necessarily. I do exactly the same as Smartbunny, lifting the hide every few days just to make sure they haven't somehow escaped and left the viv locked . It's great that the breeder gave you such comprehensive records and even Cherry's last shed , so you know she should shed without issue.
I'm glad you decided not to feed her. You may change your mind once you've got to know her and experiment to see if she'll eat when she's 'blue', but I think with having had her for such a short time it was the best thing to do.
I'm not surprised you're getting more nervous about handling her....it seems to keep being delayed and all you want to do is get that first handle over and done with! I know you've read the sticky on handling....and it really is a case of being calm, slow movements, and quality of handling rather than quantity. Remember that she is learning, just like you are.
I'm really looking forward to seeing pics of her....and of you handling her .
Xxx
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| LukeW |
Posted - 31/03/2013 : 22:43:05
Cherry is probly using the cool hide as it will be the most moist, this will help her to hopefully get the shed off in one dont worry she will be fine within a few days to a week latest :) |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 31/03/2013 : 22:28:29
Yeah, totally normal for her to hide away until she is ready to shed. I usually check my guys once or twice once I've noticed they are in blue, just lift the hide a little to check they are still there lol, otherwise I leave them to it (except for Corno as she eats whether in blue or not so if she is due a feed I still get her out). |
| cherrysmum |
Posted - 31/03/2013 : 22:14:46
that's reassuring, I have lifted it her hide once a day just to check I will leave her be and then post pica! |
| lupi lou |
Posted - 31/03/2013 : 21:49:28
It's normal for them to stay in one hide, I don't see my boys at all during the shedding period unless I lift hides to check them. |
| cherrysmum |
Posted - 31/03/2013 : 21:44:12
Forgot to add I have Cherry's last shed - the breeder gave it to me to compare along with care sheets for feeding etc, just want everything to be ok - she is a lovely and much loved already! |
| cherrysmum |
Posted - 31/03/2013 : 21:22:14
Hi all - thanks for the welcome! :) She hasn't moved from her cool section in 2 days (checked temps), I am new to snakes but I am 100% in blue. Is this normal? today was feed day but didn't as per advise and the fact she hasn't really moved I don't want to stress her out. Will admit as a newbie getting a tad more nervous of getting her out now! |
| Kellog |
Posted - 30/03/2013 : 08:57:01
I know it's unnecessary to comment because I'm just agreeing with what's been said ....but I wanted to welcome you to the forum and figured this was the easiest way .
It certainly sounds like Cherry is blue, so you are getting a lot of firsts in a very short time....first feed and soon the first shed  ! It does mean that your first handling probably needs to wait, but personally I think it's better not to handle snakes when they are blue. I know some people do, and some snakes are absolutely fine with it....just as some people feed their snakes during this period and some snakes will happily eat. I feel that it is a stressful time for the snake, as it is virtually blind and therefore is probably feeling very vulnerable. This is why I don't handle or feed my snakes from the point of me seeing that their eyes are clouding over until they've shed. It makes no difference to them that they may miss a feed....when you think about it, if they were in the wild they would be hiding somewhere safe and not going out hunting during this time.
I agree with Herriotfan and Smartbunny, unsurprisingly , about maybe missing this feed as she has only just begun to settle in with you and it probably isn't worth adding to her stress.
Do you know what sort of 'shedder' she is, whether she normally sheds without any need of assistance? Hopefully she should, but I wondered whether the previous owner had said anything.
Obviously pics will be required of her looking all shiny and new !
Xxx
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| smart bunny |
Posted - 30/03/2013 : 08:33:31
I agrre with the above, including the not feeding bit. One of my snakes does eat whilst in blue, and I see no problem with maybe offering next time she is in blue, but as this is her first week with you I would skip it on this occasion :)
Welcome to the forum, and I look forward to some pics in her new shiny clothes :) |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 18:18:53
I agree with everyone else. It's best to leave her. I wouldn't even try to feed her until she's shed. It won't hurt her to wait for her food. It's much kinder not to stress her out. |
| Moppet |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 17:45:19
Agreed I don't handle my snakes in shed, even now they are settled in as I can tell they are uncomfortable with it. |
| cherrysmum |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 17:43:24
I thought so just wanted to make sure! Thank you! Looking forward to seeing her all shiny and new :) |
| Blackcat |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 16:52:45
As above ^^^ |
| lupi lou |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 16:09:48
I personally would leave her until after she has shed, as she has only been with you a week and also because they feel vulnerable during the shedding period.you will have lots of time to handle her over the many year she will be with you. |
