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Simon74
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
 Posted - 11/05/2013 : 11:17:40
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Hello and welcome |
Snow corn Scales
Amel corn. Sydney
Carolina. Strangles
Carpet python. Monty
Staffy. Alfie |
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Dudeskin
Hatchling
United Kingdom
174 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2013 : 18:10:45
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| Hiya and welcome |
0.1.0 - Ruby - Amelanistic Corn Snake CB12 |
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twistedmonkey
Hatchling
United Kingdom
132 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2013 : 13:33:46
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Thats the Viv setup better thanks to your advice
I put another coconut shell over the heat mat and a small fern plant in the corner, he seems to love the plant its bendy so I tilted the ends over and created a little shelter hide for him to hide under and crawl about, he's been exploring in and out of it and he now spends more time in the plant than the coconut it seems .
First Feed later, he was coming up to the glass a lot last night tracking movements could be he's hungry so I'm pretty hopeful, pre feeding nerves are setting in now though, defrosting his pinky for later at room temp planning on feeding him about 19.00 as he normally starts getting more active after 18.00.
Thanks again and thanks for all the welcomes to the forum 
Edit :- First feed down moved the pinky about the Viv in the air to try and make a scent trail then put it on some folded up kitchen roll. He came out of hiding 1 min later tongue flickering like mad searched about and 45 secs later he's on the kitchen roll with the pinky in his mouth, took two mins to devour it and spent another min smelling the kitchen roll for more.
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Edited by - twistedmonkey on 12/05/2013 20:01:42 |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 13/05/2013 : 06:05:36
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Hi Kev. Sorry for the late welcome, , it is really good that you have joined us! Hopefully you'll find this is a great forum with lots of experienced owners happy to give their advice and support. You also get lots of fun and friendship . I'm glad that you're already asking for advice, keep doing it....we don't bite....much  .
You've already been given some good advice about your set-up, unsurprisingly  ....and its wonderful that you've taken it on board and made changes  .
I am sure you have already browsed the TCS site and forum, so you've probably already looked at these threads....but better heard twice than not at all. The Care Sheet is very helpful. Also have a look at Your 1st snake and, as it is a hatchling you have, then Setting Up A Hatchling Corn Snake - My 101 is definitely required reading....followed by Setting Up An Adult Corn Snake - My 101 as he's in a wooden viv. You'll also find a lot of information on feeding, shedding and handling in General Keeping Information - Stickies Sorry, information overload  !
I'm so pleased that he ate for you last night, it's always a relief to get that first feed out of the way . Personally I would begin feeding him every 5 days, it's what he needs to grow at this point. Shops and breeders do tend to keep to the 'maintenance' weekly feeding schedule, it's easier for them as its regular and means less food. They know the snake will soon be bought and hopefully put onto a 'growth' feeding schedule....if that makes any sense at all!
He's a very handsome looking snake . It's going to be interesting to see how he develops.
Apologies for the information overload ....you'll come to expect them from me .
Xxx
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twistedmonkey
Hatchling
United Kingdom
132 Posts |
Posted - 13/05/2013 : 10:49:33
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Thanks Kellog ill get onto changing his feeding pattern this week .
Good reading on the vivarium setup, I've got a space all ready for the new one in a few months time and will definitely be asking the advice of people on here.
One question is ill be weighing him for the first time this week, if he's over the 15g which would take him onto two pinkies would you recommend giving him two for his first feeding change? or would you start on one on the first week to get the new 5 day feeds going?
Thank again
Kev
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 13/05/2013 : 12:52:32
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Personally I'd keep to what he's used to for a couple of feeds Kev, until he's happy eating and you're happy feeding him....then move him up to double pinkies. There's no major rush, especially if you move him to every 5 days. Just take your time for you both to settle in . Remember the feeding guide is only that, a very rough guide. It helps to give you an idea about feeding but all snakes differ, so don't worry if he doesn't 'fit' with it. My Silvi should be on large mice according to that but because she wasn't looked after properly when she was young  she is very slender and would never cope with them....she'd barely cope with a medium mouse. You just adapt it to what suits you and your corn, using advice and knowledge of your corn as you get to know it.
Does your snake have a name??!!
Xxx
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twistedmonkey
Hatchling
United Kingdom
132 Posts |
Posted - 13/05/2013 : 13:57:40
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Perfect thanks again
I know what you mean about slender, he's quite lean himself and about 16 inches in length prob due to his feeding regime.
I don't want to upset or stress him and was leaning towards one pinky for the first few feeds to stabilize him, its great to know I have your knowledge at hand and appreciate your help.
The pet shop didn't sex him so I'm unsure if he is male, the only info I have to go on his he has a long tail which some say is a sign but until he's older ill not know for sure this way (if at all), I think the best way I've read without probes is the scale count from the tail upwards once he sheds I hope its not in the maybe zone lol. The name I've settled on is Midas just hope its ok for a Girl just in case.
(might have to excuse my HE references when I'm unsure )
Another question sorry, The heat mat I have is a microclimate one which is stripey, would you recommend I get a Habistat one instead with the solid surface? Someone commented on them being "dodgy"
I'm starting to sound like an over protective parent
Thanks Again
Kev |
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Edited by - twistedmonkey on 13/05/2013 17:21:53 |
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carmil07
Hatchling
United Kingdom
158 Posts |
Posted - 14/05/2013 : 10:31:19
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| hello and welcome. Your wee corn snake is gorgeous :) |
0.0.1 Carolina corn snake - Ruby
0.2.0 moggie cat's - Stella & Matilda |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 14/05/2013 : 11:10:57
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| Hi and welcome, lovely little hatchy you have there! When I got Ember she was on the long but slender side, so I fed her single pinks every 5 days until they weren't leaving much bump, then changed to double pinks every 6 days. Sometimes with the thinner snakes you have to just stick with smaller food for a bit longer. Personally I don't bother with a thermometer in the cold side as room temp is fine, it's the hot side which it is essential for (and you already have that one), lots of people do still measure the cold side as well though so that's totally up to you :) |
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Welshlamb
Yearling
United Kingdom
711 Posts |
Posted - 14/05/2013 : 16:13:40
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| Welcome |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 14/05/2013 : 22:20:01
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Stop saying thanks  and don't worry about sounding like an over-protective parent....we've all been there done that.
Midas is a lovely name, suits such a handsome snake . I understand you referring to 'him' as 'he', it's better than saying it and 'he' looks more like a 'he'....apologies to Midas if 'he' is a 'she' ! I must admit that I haven't bothered getting my snakes probed, except for Silvi as she was already being checked over at the reptile shop....they said she was a male, who then laid infertile eggs a couple of months later  ! Definitely not male ....Silvesta became Silvi. I don't think any sexing method is 100% accurate....and personally I'd rather not put mine through the stress of travelling and the process itself. But I do understand that some people just want to know and others need to know because of breeding plans.
As usual Smartbunny is right , and it's nice hearing from someone who's had a snake similar to yours....there is no rush to move up prey size. As long as he is eating regularly, is healthy and growing that's all that matters .
I can't help you with the heatmat issue I'm afraid. All mine are Habistat ones.
One more thing....NEVER apologise for asking a question !!
Xxx
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twistedmonkey
Hatchling
United Kingdom
132 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 10:18:00
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Yeah it doesn't worry me too much about the sex, as long as he's happy, I don't want him probed seems a stressful thing to do for no apparent reason unless your looking to breed
Had him out for the first time yesterday for about 10 mins, he was a bit nervous at first but then he started crawling about my hands tongue flickering and when I cupped them he slithered inside and curled up as if he was in a hide.
Couple of new pics now I've had a chance to really see him
My plan is to start handling in small doses once a day, leaving a day between feeding to get him used to my smell and the handling. So would be twice every five days for about 10 mins.
And I'll stop saying thanks lol
Edited by Kellog to remove code
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Edited by - Kellog on 15/05/2013 10:24:47 |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 10:36:59
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I LOVE that last pic of him!! He's such a tiny little thing, with such big eyes . Gorgeous colouring as well.
Glad you're handling went so well with him. I'm probably just reading what you've said wrong , but you know to leave him for 48hrs after you've fed him before handling him. He needs that time to digest properly.
It sounds as though both of you are getting to know each other and doing well .
Xxx
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twistedmonkey
Hatchling
United Kingdom
132 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 13:15:44
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Yeah I fed him on Sunday so yesterday was the first time it was 49 hours after him eating.
I read your handling guide for pointers |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 14:29:19
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| Oh he is so tiny! Gorgeous little motley :D |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 20:09:10
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quote:
Originally posted by twistedmonkey
I read your handling guide for pointers
Clever man .
Xxx
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twistedmonkey
Hatchling
United Kingdom
132 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 21:31:32
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So my first week has been going good so far!
I've found some white substrate which I thinks urine after reading some posts on the forums, its a relief when everything is new and its a first time, just too see these things so I know what to look for in future, no poop as yet but again upon reading ill need to see how his digestion works as they are all different.
When I went to get him out earlier he actually came towards me flickering his tongue smelling me and when I put my hand on the aspen he crawled over it and I was able to pick him up. Still a bit panicky when being lifted but he calmed down almost instantly and after 5 mins curled up into my palm again .
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Edited by - twistedmonkey on 15/05/2013 22:59:25 |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 16/05/2013 : 07:51:37
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Midas is doing so well Kev....and the fact he's responding so calmly to you shows how well you're doing with him . His confidence is really growing and that's down to you .
I've never had little ones, but I gather often their poos are so small that they are easily missed if the snake is on substrate....but it's reassuring to you that you've found signs of urates, so you know everything is functioning properly . You'll know he's pooing properly soon....when he does it on you  !
Xxx
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twistedmonkey
Hatchling
United Kingdom
132 Posts |
Posted - 16/05/2013 : 08:42:41
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Yeah I was going through every bit of aspen last night to see if I could find any lol after reading some posts ill be expecting poop on me at some point but as they say **** happens
But its not going to be this time lol woke up this morning and when changing his water I noticed he left me a little present next to one of his hides, It stood out quite well against the aspen so all the check boxes are done, I've got a diary to keep track of his habits and feeding and cleaning schedule
He's a lovely wee snake and seems to have settled in nicely, ill leave off handling him tonight as I'm going to try his first five day feed tomorrow, signs look good as he was tracking movements of my fingers when cupped in my hand yesterday. |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 16/05/2013 : 08:55:05
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Glad you're being realistic about being 'christened' by Midas ! For some reason it was something my OH and son didn't think of when they bought our first snake....maybe they thought you could house-train them ! As soon as they discovered that snakes do it whenever and wherever they want to , they rapidly went off the idea of handling him....which meant he became my snake .
I'm very pleased to hear that you are keeping such good records, they help a lot. Things like weight, shedding dates, when you feed and what, health issues....I even keep a note of their bowel movements which might be going a bit too far .
Hope the feed goes well tomorrow . He's so settled I doubt it'll make any difference if you handle him tonight or not....remember you've got to wait those 48hrs before you handle him again, so it may be worth getting in all the handling you can before he becomes 'hands-off' .
Xxx
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Topic |
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Hi from a first time Corn Snake owner
