| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Jayh987 |
Posted - 05/04/2013 : 21:12:01
Hi, I've recently bough a adult corn snake of a friend who ain't got time for it now more he's had it since it was a baby and he said its never bit him or his kids ..now I have it in my room and I was just wondering some of things it does and what they mean its never hiding its always out and slithering around I'm guessing obv new surroundings .. But when I handle it it goes really stiff and hard to handle pretty much tries getting away is this because it don't no me or just I haven't gave it a anough time to settle in I've had it like 3 or 4 days and I'm dieng to just hold it for a while but It won't let me lol also it's due to feed tomorrow. Thanks |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kellog |
Posted - 07/04/2013 : 09:39:51
I'm not sure if you're snake will have eaten or not, Jay, but if it hasn't don't worry too much....it has had a lot to adjust to and hasn't really had a settling in period. Just leave it until its due to be fed again and give it another go. Having said all of this, it has probably eaten  !
It does need that time to recover from the stress of being moved and to get used to its new environment, so I would suggest what Georgina did....leave it for about another 5 days without any handling, just change its water daily and fiddle with its substrate so it gets used to your smell.
It's behaviour may be because of it being breeding season, as Foxtrotsierra has said, in which case it may continue to refuse food. This is what happened when I got my first corn. I'd been assured he was a good feeder but he wouldn't eat with me and was constantly out roaming around his viv, trying to escape. It took 13 weeks for him to eat and I was so shocked when he suddenly took the mouse I was offering  . But all you can do is keep offering the food in the hope that he'll eat. Are you going to weigh him to keep a record of his weigh? It is a good idea to, along with feeding dates, dates of when he sheds, any health issues, etc.
What is its set-up? Does its viv have a heatmat, controlled by a thermostat and monitored by a digital thermometer? What is the temp in the warm side? It's always best to check things like this to make sure there isn't another reason for him behaving the way he is.
Xxx
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| LukeW |
Posted - 06/04/2013 : 13:51:23
If you've go a smaller tub put him in there and feed him, some like the small places and i find its good because then it doesnt think its feeding time everytime you open his viv :) as for feeding in the smaller tub put kitchen tissue on the bottom and one of his hides, put snakey and dinner in there and cover it with a towl he should soon eat it, worked a treat for cyrus :) |
| Jayh987 |
Posted - 06/04/2013 : 13:26:24
Ok thanks..
Feeding day is to day instead of taking it out I just put the mouse on some kitchen roll and put it in the tank... It still hasn't taking it so shall I just take it out and wait till next feeding day? And I'll try get a pic up later :) |
| Foxtrotsierra |
Posted - 06/04/2013 : 07:26:41
Hi Jayh987 - Kellog has done a brilliant "handling tips" post and this is from the perspective of an adult snake new to you - what Luke said about fluffing the substrate etc, is bang on, but here is the link if you would like to read it, it is really rather good
http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28249
As it is an adult, it is breeding season pretty much now, so it (do you know which sex it is?) might be looking for love! Don't be freaked out if it doesn't eat for you if that is the case. There are some brilliant people around here who will be able to help you if that is the case.
Just give it a little time to settle in, and (am going to quote Kellog here) - you have a lifetime to enjoy it, leaving it for a week or so won't do any harm (but I know how frustrating it is, believe you and me!) 
(by the way, pics of new snakes are compulsory around here please  ) |
| LukeW |
Posted - 05/04/2013 : 22:53:10
You're welcome :) |
| Jayh987 |
Posted - 05/04/2013 : 22:43:06
Ok thanks for advice everyone |
| LukeW |
Posted - 05/04/2013 : 22:04:23
When you change his water mess with the aspen or bedding abit to spread your scent, or you could get an old odd sock keep it on you for a day so it smells like you then leave it in with him he will soon know you as a friend not a predator |
| NatalieC |
Posted - 05/04/2013 : 21:52:55
No matter how old the snake is, it's usually best (as said above) to leave the snake for at least a week so they can settle in properly. I know its hard to go against the temptation of handling him but it really is best just to leave them alone. Just change his water every day and this should help your snake to get use to your scent. You can try feeding him but he may refuse it, but don't worry if he does, you can try when he's next due. Just remember the 48 hour rule of not handling him if he does feed.
Edited to add: He may be quite shy like you said "stiff" when handling because he hasn't had enough attention from his past owner? But don't worry about this, he should get his confidence up when he's settled in |
| Georgina |
Posted - 05/04/2013 : 21:22:48
It's best to leave them a week to settle. Make sure your temps are correct and just change water every other day for 7 days and hopefully he will be better for you x |
