| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| EmmaGoodman |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 18:39:52
Hey everyone! My new snake is doing brilliantly, settled in fine and has eaten three times with absolutely no problems! Had a couple of tail rattles but she has always been fine to hold and not a single bite has occured (yet!)
First question, before her first feed (with me) she weighed 6g. I didn't weigh her for her second feed but on her third feed (just now) she weighed 13g. Is this okay/healthy? It could be fine but I just wanted to check!
Next question, snakey has not done a single poo  and this is my main worry! She seems fine as I said, she's eating and drinking well. Her warm side ranges from 28 - 30 degrees with sp**** aspen and I know she goes to that side during the night so why hasn't she pooed yet? I know some people say they poo when they shed, which brings me to my third question...
Her last shed according to the place I got her from was the 21st March 2013. Isn't she due a shed soon? I'm not really sure how often these snakes come into shed so maybe that's the reason she hasn't pooed?
My last question (sorry this is so long) is that when I go to pick her up, she always backs away from me and looks like she is going to strike but she never does. I've kinda pointed my finger further to make her strike (I'm stupid) but she never does, she just looks as if she is going to (does that make sense??  . Is this okay? When I handle her she's very calm it's just the initial picking her up bit.
Thanks in advance, sorry it's long!  ) |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| yalovit |
Posted - 24/06/2013 : 23:43:57
I had the same worry as far as pooing was concerned,till I cleaned her out and it was all under the aspen. |
| Kellog |
Posted - 23/06/2013 : 11:08:50
Liked Bella but like Xena too , very different names but both lovely. I'm awful with names too, had to get a friend to name Asher  .
Xxx
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| herriotfan |
Posted - 22/06/2013 : 22:55:32
I think that's a beautiful name! 
Like Kellog said, please don't get too hung up on her weight. As long as she is a happy girl who feeds and poos ok you really have no great worries. I didn't have any scales for three years!! 
As time goes by you'll mellow into a snake owner who is happy with her lot and just 'gets it' with her snakes. It's a great feeling and I instinctively know you'll get there because you care about your baby and will learn so much together. Enjoy the wonderful journey.... |
| EmmaGoodman |
Posted - 22/06/2013 : 22:38:40
Turns out my family did not like Belle and wanted to keep up the cat tradition ( ) of having an 'x' in their name, so now her new name is Xena . Quite a bit different from Belle as you can see but I like it
I am terrible with names anyway so indecisive! |
| ScaryVonHayleystine |
Posted - 22/06/2013 : 20:54:00
Aww Belle is such a sweet name for a snake :o |
| Kellog |
Posted - 21/06/2013 : 23:54:08
And i just commented on the other thread about her being nameless . Belle is a beautiful name .
Don't get too hung up on her not having put on any weight. It really is so minimal at this age and anything can effect her weight. With her being fed once a week it's not surprising she hasn't been putting on much weight. Now you've moved it to every 5 days hopefully, over time, you'll see a gradual weight gain. But don't stress over every gram .
Xxx
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| EmmaGoodman |
Posted - 21/06/2013 : 23:15:55
I think I am going to call her Belle
Today I fed her again after advice from the other thread about feeding every 5 days and she took the pinky like a dream so I will carry on feeding her every 5 days.
I also weighed her and she was 6g so still the same weight as when I first weighed her. So either her poo weighed 7g (I dont think so!) or the scales weren't tared properly but anyhoo we will carry it on every 5 days and see if she gains weight |
| Kellog |
Posted - 21/06/2013 : 19:53:51
Glad I'm not the only one who is slightly forgetful ! Did you find any inspiration with the names list?
Xxx
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| EmmaGoodman |
Posted - 20/06/2013 : 13:24:38
Kellog I weigh mine before I feed too! Otherwise I would definitely forget. Though I think I may do an extra weigh tonight just because she has emptied and I'll know her exact weight
Thanks for the link, I've been trying to find the names list on here everywhere! |
| Kellog |
Posted - 20/06/2013 : 12:51:21
Sorry Emma, I did smile when I read that she'd finally pooed....or should I say WHERE she finally pooed . Am so glad she's done it and you can stop worrying, about that at least  . Our corns are always a worry to us, I'm sure they do it on purpose!
With regard to weighing, I do it before each feed because then it's done regularly (if I didn't do it that way I'd forget) and I can virtually guarantee that they will be 'empty'....except for Asher who likes to hold on to his a lot longer   .
As for names, there are just a few suggestions here - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6673 Good luck with choosing one!
Xxx
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| EmmaGoodman |
Posted - 20/06/2013 : 12:07:14
Thank you!
I will try and weigh her tonight
And I know! She desperately needs a name but I have no idea  |
| Foxtrotsierra |
Posted - 20/06/2013 : 05:51:51
I was welcomed to the poop club by my girl on my pyjamas, so - welcome to the poop club
Joking aside, really glad she has gone for you now, all the first are so nerve racking. If she isn't due a feed, today would be a good time to get her "true" weight. Sounds as though she is doing brilliantly for you and you have great taste in vivs, I have that one too although we are just about due a move now.
You are definitely going to have to name that gorgeous girl in your sig, she has beautiful markings |
| EmmaGoodman |
Posted - 19/06/2013 : 22:11:30
So...
After all my worrying and fretting my snake finally did her first poo!
...On me
And I was wearing shorts
The little madam!
At least I know she has done one now though and she surprised me again today by being out of her cave and roaming around her viv not once but twice! And the light was on, she usually comes out when everyone is in bed. So a happy (if a little annoying ) day all round! |
| Kellog |
Posted - 17/06/2013 : 07:49:53
There is no need to be even thinking of a vet, everything is absolutely normal and as it should be . As far as her bowel movements go, she's either just not ready to poo yet or she has and it's so small that you've missed it, which is easily done. But it's to be expected, as Herriotfan has said.
She'll shed when she's good and ready and not a moment sooner . The amount of times we have new owners worrying because their snake hasn't shed yet and then it goes blue soon after they've asked about it! I'm convinced corns just like to keep us worrying .
Sounds like the setup with the probes etc is as it should be. Hope you didn't mind me asking .
I'm glad the Handling tips have been helpful and you've modified the patting technique to work for you . She is still so young and hasn't been with you very long, so her behaviour isn't at all surprising....try putting yourself in her scales! You'll both get there as you get to know each other and both of you grow more confident .
Xxx
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| ScaryVonHayleystine |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 21:18:02
Not anything anybody hasnt said, just thought id throw myself in hehe |
| ScaryVonHayleystine |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 21:16:37
i think that is a healthy weight :)
Snakes shed when they are ready, they could shed regulary or few and far between. its part of the growin process :)
If you are overly worried then take her to a vet, if not, wait until she/he sheds and see if they have a bowel movement. If not, i'd personally take them to the vet.
I find most baby cornsnakes are deffensive when it comes to handling at first. She/he will still be getting used to the act of handling. They create a lot of "grr im an angry snake" but generally they are just scared. Just give them time :) |
| EmmaGoodman |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 20:38:17
Haha thanks Herriot |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 20:31:19
So she is still very young, all normal behaviour for such a wee baby! Bless her. Give her time and she'll be a little gem... |
| EmmaGoodman |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 20:02:53
Thanks for the replies
Herriot she was born in November 2012
Kellog I usually do have a good root around her viv to check for poo but maybe I just haven't seen it yet!
I did read the handling post before buying her and have used the patting down technique, she wasn't too fond of her head being touched though so I did it slightly lower, sort of where her neck is and it has helped. I usually make sure she can see my hand before I pick her up. It's just the way she looks at me haha. When I first got her she used to flinch when I did the pat down technique but now she doesn't and she's a lot calmer
Also digital thermometer is attached to stat probe using a rubber band and is lying on the glass (which has the heat mat underneath - monkfield viv).
tk72 know what you mean about nervy!
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| tk72 |
Posted - 16/06/2013 : 19:34:14
I have to do the patting down with Cola. It's a bit nervy at first but it helps. I also have a life of fake leaf of a vine I sometimes rub Cola with that first which seems to let her know I am coming in to get her. |
