The Corn Snake Forum
The Corn Snake Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Members | Search | FAQ
Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Corn Snake Posts
 Corn Snake - General Keeping information
 Feeding problems!!!
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

nick43
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
2 Posts

Posted - 10/06/2010 :  21:47:56  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
My wife has kept a young corn snake for some months now. It is about 12-14 inches long and has shed sucessfully twice now.
Tonight my wife unfortunately fed it two small pinkies almost one after the other....I think this was a mistake.

The snake is not actively moving around, however, I think it is still alive....it is gaping however.....

What can we do?

We don't want to lose this beautiful reptile.

Regards

Nick

elament
Yearling

United Kingdom
942 Posts

Posted - 10/06/2010 :  21:59:42  Show Profile  Send elament a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
when you say it is gaping is it gaping or yawning. There is a difference some snakes have to relocate their jaws after a big meal. Technically if the meal is too big it will regurge one or both the pinkies. If it can keep them down it will but being inactive is not really suprising after such a big meal. Thing is now it has fed it shouldnt really be handled for 48 hrs to allow it to digest them. If its anything like my two it will curl up on its heatmat for a good long while. To be fair when feeding double meals you should wait until the first one is well down before offering the second but then saying that one of mine ate two in quick succession and it didnt do her any harm but then she is a snake dustbin.



1.1.0 Amel Corns Colin and Xena
1.0.0 Dog Talan
1.1.0 Cats Wotsit and Willow
1.0.0 Ferret Chaos

Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
Go to Top of Page

Blackecho
The Corn Snake Admin

United Kingdom
4379 Posts

Posted - 10/06/2010 :  22:01:40  Show Profile  Click to see Blackecho's MSN Messenger address  Send Blackecho a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Why do you think your wife made a mistake?

It sounds like your snake is now settled to digest its food.




www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum

Location: Rotherham

Go to Top of Page

mozacchio
Sub Adult

Greece
1135 Posts

Posted - 10/06/2010 :  22:04:04  Show Profile  Click to see mozacchio's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Many people when they feed their corn on two pinkies they give the corn one pinkie after the other. If It doesn't regurge the meal then it's fine. Watch out for the temps to be right.
Go to Top of Page

nick43
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
2 Posts

Posted - 10/06/2010 :  22:07:59  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by elament

there was a series of 'bubbles' and the snake seemed to be struggling to get them down.

The snake is very still and it's mouth is still gaping...not yawning as to reset its jaw etc.

We'll keep an eye on it.

Thanks again

Nick


Yes, keep a close eye, bubbles and gaping would immediately flag 'RI' if it doesn't go away.
Go to Top of Page

elament
Yearling

United Kingdom
942 Posts

Posted - 10/06/2010 :  22:12:46  Show Profile  Send elament a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by nick43

quote:
Originally posted by elament

when you say it is gaping is it gaping or yawning. There is a difference some snakes have to relocate their jaws after a big meal. Technically if the meal is too big it will regurge one or both the pinkies. If it can keep them down it will but being inactive is not really suprising after such a big meal. Thing is now it has fed it shouldnt really be handled for 48 hrs to allow it to digest them. If its anything like my two it will curl up on its heatmat for a good long while. To be fair when feeding double meals you should wait until the first one is well down before offering the second but then saying that one of mine ate two in quick succession and it didnt do her any harm but then she is a snake dustbin.



Thanks for this info...

This is the first snake we have ever kept...

I guess you might panic a lot when you have never seen this type of behaviour before. Just after the snake swallowed both pinkies, there was a series of 'bubbles' and the snake seemed to be struggling to get them down.

The snake is very still and it's mouth is still gaping...not yawning as to reset its jaw etc.

We'll keep an eye on it.

Thanks again

Nick



Oh I am sorry Nick I have never experienced anything like this before I do hope someone on here has the requisite knowledge to guide you sounds very worrying.



1.1.0 Amel Corns Colin and Xena
1.0.0 Dog Talan
1.1.0 Cats Wotsit and Willow
1.0.0 Ferret Chaos

Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
Go to Top of Page

mikerichards
don't say the 'M' word!

United Kingdom
2901 Posts

Posted - 10/06/2010 :  22:34:36  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It shouldnt be gaping certainly, but 2 pinkies is not life threatening, although it might be an idea to wait till hes a little larger in the future.
Hes probably just doing what i do when i have eaten too much, digesting with no energy to do anything else!
Normally i would say he would be fine, but the gaping is not a good sign. If you pick him up, gently mind, and see if he supports his own weight.
Only handle after food if absolutely necessary, i think this qualifies. Make sure you support the food, dont let his belly hang on its own weight.
Just handle for long enough to see if he supports his head, if he hangs his head then its not a good sign, also worth a look to see if he has anything stuck in his mouth.

fingers crossed.

Location : Worthing, West Sussex
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
The Corn Snake Forum © 2000-11 thecornsnake.co.uk Go To Top Of Page
Snitz Forums 2000