| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| n/a |
Posted - 20/06/2009 : 20:12:36
Hi people just got my first corn snake today and was told at the pet shop he was due a feed. I pinkies and was told to warm them up in hot water and to feed him/her in a seperate box.
Now Spike The Snake has not attempted to eat the pinkie as yet when should I start to worry if something is up with him??
Can the pinkie be to big as Spike is on the small side??
Would it help to cut the pinkie in two??
I will try to add a photo showing size of pinkie in comparison to Spike when I can find my camera lead.
In the meantime cheers for any info. |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| n/a |
Posted - 14/08/2009 : 11:51:15
good news barios and SB such a relief after weeks of frustration:) |
| Kellog |
Posted - 14/08/2009 : 04:11:58
Really good news Barios - such a relief isnt it when they finally feed and you can stop worrying about them....for now! xxx |
| n/a |
Posted - 14/08/2009 : 02:39:20
Spike II is getting good at this he has had another pinkie, also seems to be used to me changing his water. Thanks for all the advice no oubt I ill be back asking for some more once he gets bigger |
| n/a |
Posted - 12/08/2009 : 15:31:59
Going to try another feed tonight do you think its to soon? Will let you all know the outcome. |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 10/08/2009 : 12:34:10
very happy for you barios- I've just managed to get my big male to feed after fasting for 5 weeks, and then, last night... nothing, again! grrrr! more wasted mice! |
| Kellog |
Posted - 09/08/2009 : 21:01:21
Fantastic news Barios - I can empathise up to a point, I bought Kellog (who is 4yrs old) and he wouldnt feed - took him 13 weeks before he decided to eat. I dangled as usual, not expecting anything different to the usual tongue flick and then ignore but he struck - I jumped!!! Cant remember the last time I felt so excited. He has fed fine ever since and long may it continue.....I hope that is the same for Spike II. I couldnt have coped without the support and advice I got here, mainly a case of keeping me calm and sane! These guys are fantastic! xxx |
| n/a |
Posted - 09/08/2009 : 19:22:47
Well done! I would think that for a short while, getting some food in him is the most important thing, so I would do the same thing that worked for you, for the next few feeds at least.
As he gets used to you and his surroundings, you could start maybe putting the pinkie in the feeding tub and then putting that in his faunarium and leaving overnight and seeing if he takes it that way... |
| n/a |
Posted - 09/08/2009 : 05:27:44
Tried to feed Spike II on Friday 8.00pm left a pinkie with him on a plastic lid but pinkie was still there in the morning
Tried again last night but left him in a tub with pinkie overnight........joy of joys unless Spike is Paul Daniels pinkie has gone .
I am well happy as I thought that it was never going to happen.
Now for the next one when do you think it will be best to feed again?? Thanks for everyones advice it has been much appreciated. |
| n/a |
Posted - 07/08/2009 : 08:09:27
Any news Barios? |
| n/a |
Posted - 05/08/2009 : 17:16:52
Fingers crossed Barios!
I'm all the way up (or down, or sideways - no idea where Nuneaton is!) in West Yorkshire but maybe some other kind soul could check if you still have problems?
Good to hear about the temp - just keep an eye on it and consider a thermostat for the future and maybe a good digital thermometer when funds allow.
Really hope we have an ecstatic post from you tomorrow saying he's eaten! |
| n/a |
Posted - 05/08/2009 : 17:05:57
Just checked temp now up to 86 degrees so your little piece of advice seems to be working Neil many thanks. |
| n/a |
Posted - 05/08/2009 : 15:55:08
Heat mat is not on a thermostat and to be fair the thermometer looks like something you get out of a lucky bag!! I have a heat resistant dinner mat that should reflect the heat back up into the faunarium I have now wrapped this is baco foil. I haver been out and bought him a rock to hide under.
I did notice that the faunarium had little legs on so I have removed tham so the heat mat is directly on the faunarium now.
I live in Nuneaton if anyone wants to pop round and have a look your more than welcome just let me know on kjfc.1966@ntlworld.com
Fingers crossed, I am going to feed him about 7pm Saturday night and leave him overnight and see what happens. |
| n/a |
Posted - 05/08/2009 : 11:40:13
If it's a plastic faunarium, then putting the heatmat underneath is fine - it doesn't need to be inside (indeed, if it is, you can have problems with your snake burrowing under it and burning).
Don't worry about the water, he'll drink when he needs to!
I would think 70f is low enough to stop your snake eating as it isn't warm enough to aid digestion.
If you are having probs getting your temps up, first of all make sure you are measuring the temp with a good digital thermometer from the top of the substrate (as that's where your snake will be). If the heatmat doesn't seem to be able to kick out enough heat, then try turning your thermostat up slightly (you are using one I presume), and leave the temp to settle then check again.
If you still can't get up to temp, then try placing something insulating UNDER the heat mat to prevent heat from been drawn from under the mat instead of into your faunarium. Foam or polystyrene board would be ideal, but it could be something as simple as a couple of layers of cardboard, then a layer of baconfoil (to reflect the heat back), then your heatmat, then the faunarium...
Good luck and report back please!
[edit] where are you based? maybe someone nearby could come over and just put your mind at ease and maybe just give your setup a once-over? |
| n/a |
Posted - 05/08/2009 : 11:24:16
Thanks for the advice, is it better to have the heat mate in the faunarium?? As for water is best to encourage Spike II to have a dip so to speak?? I will let you know how we get on. Have noticed this morning that temp is down to 70 degrees. I think the advice the pet shop gave me is a load of tosh |
| n/a |
Posted - 05/08/2009 : 08:30:31
80f is a bit cold for a hatchling juvenile, if you can, aim for a temp of 86f at the hot end.
He's probably not eating due to stress, so you need to identify why the snake is stressed and resolve the issues.
The most likely is due to the move (which is why you should leave a new snake undisturbed for a week before attempting to feed, then leave again before handling).
If he's in a clear faunarium, you can try covering the back wall and sides with paper (print out a nice forest scene to make it look nice) - this helps the little one feel more secure and less susceptible to predators.
Make sure you have at least 2 nice hides in the faunarium - one on the cold side, one on the warm side. Also, try and make sure the tank isn't 'too open' - pack it with fake plants, rocks, vines, branches, anything that can give your snake cover and make them feel more secure.
Our original tank for James was quite tall and a bit exposed so we stuck paper over the back wall (and pieces of bark make a cheap additional hide):
We then moved him up to a slightly larger tank:
Your substrate is fine, but it wouldn't hurt to try and minimise the chance of him ingesting it, you say you've been putting the food in a separate container which is perfect.
My suggestion would be to leave him for at least 5 days, then late evening (when corn snakes are active and hunting), get your pinkie, place it in hot (not boiling) water for around 5 mins, then empty the water and refill with hot water again. Leave for another 5 minutes, then refill again with hot water for a minute, then put the pinkie on an empty margarine tub lid in the faunarium.
Keep well away and don't disturb him, and check back in the morning. Hopefully it will have gone :-)
If it hasn't, you can safely leave the pinkie in the tank until the evening (you never know, some snakes like 'ripe' pinkies!), after which you should dispose of it, and possibly move onto feeding in a small RUB - the idea that there is a very small space so the snake is literally stuck in close proximity with the food so it has no option but to smell it and hopefully eat it.
Really hope he eats for you soon, let us know how you get on... |
| n/a |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 21:03:56
Probably absolutely nothing to do with it but at that age isn't it better to use newspaper or kitchen roll as a substrate?
Sorry to hear of your recent loss.
|
| Kellog |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 12:00:41
Must admit that my mind is beginning to question the pet shop...... Wish I could give you some advice but the guys on here are the ones to ask - they have all the answers and if they dont they know who to ask! Cant see how it is something you are doing wrong??? xxx |
| n/a |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 11:08:28
Mr Snake not feeding tried 2 pinkies over the last 10 days but no joy. Seems content enough just hide under his water tray. Every time I go and change his water he shys away and is much livlier than the other that died.
Do you think I maybe am feeding him wrong??? I leave him with a warm (leave pinkie in warm water for about 10 seconds and brained)pinkie in a seperate container I have even got some tweezers and waggled the pinkie but he just sniffs and moves on.
I have left him with the pinkie for a good 4 hours as well.
My tank is warm at one end a constant 80 degrees the other end cooler.
Any ideas??? Anyone want to pop round and give me a feeding lesson lol. |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 01/08/2009 : 14:36:20
pinkie good! glad you got a new snake, hope you have better luck with this one. |
| Flatpack63 |
Posted - 01/08/2009 : 14:32:56
Yeah I agrre.tThe pinky is fine. What subtrate are you using?
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