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Kittypuss85
Hatchling
United Kingdom
128 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2011 : 20:55:45
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We're getting really concerned about Fudge, a 2/3 month old butter stripe.
We bought him at the Essex show 5 weeks ago and he hasn't eaten at all since we got him home. The guy that sold him to us did say he was a fussy eater and that we might have to brain the pinky. Not a problem, as I have another hatchling i had to do that with and she is eating normally.
We set him up along side 2 other snakes we got at the show in 12" x 12" x 4" tubs. we left them all for a week to settle in, noticing them all having a good look around and exploring. Binks the normal ate first time, Rhea and Fudge didn't. I put a plastic vine in both their tubs hoping it was the coverage they needed to feel more secure and it worked for Rhea. Rhea didn't eat for 3 weeks, but i found her ideal meal being boiled and brained and ate for the second time yesterday. Fudge still hasn't eaten. I've read through most of the posts advising about non-feeding snakes and I'm running out of ideas. I swapped him into a smaller tub about 2/3 weeks ago hoping that would help. when I got him out of his old tub he bit me. I said to him "Don't go for me, go for the mouse!", but he didn't listen. It's 8"x5"x3", it has 2 small hides, water bowl, and plastic vine. His previous tub steamed up a lot even though the water bowl was not on the heat mat so I put lots of air holes in the lid. When I try to feed him, I cover him over now too. I have tried braining the pink, boiling it, braining and boiling, boiling just the head. I just drop the pink in the middle of the tub. I haven't tried taking him for a drive yet but I am considering it! We are not experienced enough to try assissted feeding. I don't think its too hot or cold as we have 3 other hatchlings on the same heat mat and they are all eating fine. He seems happy in himself, as he is always out having a look around and climbing his vine. He has musked, but obviously not pooed.
I know this post is long, but I wanted to give as much info as I can think of to try and get this little one to eat. |
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Hissyfit
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2214 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2011 : 22:45:01
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I can understand how you must be feeling. My little Falco didn't eat for almost 3 weeks, and It was so upsetting. I have him in a 7x7x7" breeder box, and as well as putting a plastic vine in the back, sides and covering both hides, I covered 3 sides and top of his box with paper...we've not had a problem since. Seems he was very shy, and doesn't like being looked at! Might be worth a try for your little hatchling? |
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DTW
Hatchling
United Kingdom
118 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2011 : 01:06:28
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Tuna works great for fussy feeders, get a tin of tuna in brine take a bit of tuna out and just rub the pinky on it to get the scent, I usually heat the the pinky with a hair dryer first and u could even brain it as well to make it extra appetising lol. And as already mentioned try covering 3 sides of the rub with paper or postal tape or something so it's like a viv with just the front open this seems to really help them feel safer, hope u get sorted :) |
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Kittypuss85
Hatchling
United Kingdom
128 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2011 : 06:41:06
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My other half wrote this post while I was at work last night, I've posted the same on the corn snake Facebook page. We've actually had him 6 weeks (I thought it was 7 oops) but it was Rhea we were told might be fussy. Fudge we were told ate well, and we were given a sheet of his record; which I'm starting to think was made up. Thanks for everyones help. |
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Kittypuss85
Hatchling
United Kingdom
128 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2011 : 16:27:19
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The tuna brine didn't work! Don't know what else to do :-( |
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DTW
Hatchling
United Kingdom
118 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2011 : 21:39:46
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Did u use the tuna or the brine? the brine won't work I don't think I've always used the tuna, after that I don't really know other then maybe see if any of the rep shops near u have anyone who can help? hope u get sorted soon :) |
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Beverly Louise
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
28 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2011 : 23:00:08
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Jack has only just had his first feed with me and I've had him a month, but I know you'll still worry because I was a complete mess earlier when he didn't strike. Crying and the lot I didn't try Jack with tune and brine (I figure corns wouldn't meet a tuna in the wild so why eat it now) but lots of crazy stuff works for different snakes. With Jacks pinkie I warmed it and left it right in the centre if his cave. It was also VERY brained. I mean, I rubbed the brain juices all over the pinkie and even cut the belly a little. Gross, I know, but I was desperate. Your only other option would be to contact the breeder and see if they fed Fudge with any specific method. Or see if they'll take it in for a week or two and try and get it feeding, or even if they'll swap it. Jacks breeder said they would happily keep/swap him if the next feed was unsuccessful for free so I'd give that a shot. |
Two corns - Jack & Sally; a tailess tabby - Tia; fish; four rats - Pepper, Bailey, Biscuit, Alfie; a spider - Gerard Way-To-Big. |
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