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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
 Posted - 25/06/2009 : 20:39:46
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| Can anyone explain this. Have noticed it before when I was handling him regularly, but seems more noticeable now that I've stopped handling him til he's eaten. When I stroke him he seems to judder, not all the time but on occassion as I stroke him he arches his body against my hand and it is almost like the movement of an orgasm (sorry, best way to explain it!). My son is very worried about it so would love to know reason why. Have also noticed that it looks as though he is peeling slightly, not full scales but small slithers are sticking up - could this be him shedding soon or something else? Someone please ease a neurotic owner's worries!!! |
  
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 30/06/2009 : 10:16:10
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| Need advice as soon as poss - very worried about Kellog. Spent most of Sunday and all of yesterday in his cave, didnt see him out once, he is curled up so tight in cave you can barely see him in there. Did wonder if he was going 'blue' for a shed (last shed was 27th May). He still hasnt eaten. Was supposed to try feeding him on Sunday and weigh him on Monday, but havent been able to because don't want to drag him out of cave!! What is going on? Should I be worried? What should I do? Please help. |
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SexyBear77
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3796 Posts |
Posted - 30/06/2009 : 11:01:25
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First of all- CALM DOWN!
remember that snakes are wild animals, even if bred in captivity, and won't always behave the way you want them too.
Casper (my male) with often disappear for days at a time, and then suddenly appear and spend days looking for an escape route. snakes require patience and an open mind as to their behaviour. rubbing all over the glass or gazing longingly at the big wide world from inside the viv is very common, as is point blank refusing to go back in if you have had them out. Your viv setup should make your snake feel very secure, so make sure there are enough hides etc for kellog. Also, if you are having problems removing kellog from his cave, get a hide that is easier to work around- flower pots are ideal and really cheap.
With regards to eating, your snake hasnt lost a drastic amount of weight through not eating, so dont panic. have you tried braining your mice? heating them with a hairdryer so they are nice and warm? and wiggling it in front of your snake with tongs? also, think about the location of your viv- when we moved from somerset to aberdeen our viv had to go on the floor and casper HATED it- he wouldnt eat and became aggressive. So we moved it up high, and he didnt like that either- still wouldnt eat and just slept all day. we finally have got it right, and he is now being powerfed to regain all the weight he lost (he didnt eat for over 6 months.) for a while we tried him with chicks, with went down ok, so it may be worth trying these with kellog.
with regards to handling him, if he hasnt been handled consistently he could well just be feeling jumpy. My female just exactly the same thing when i stroke a finger along her belly scales, it is a very sensitive area for them (bear in mind that their underside tells them alot about their surroundings and the environment and so needs to be finely tuned to physical cues.) be firm but gentle when handling, and when not trying to get him to eat handle him for a short while every day so he gets used to it.
good luck and stop worrying so much!
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9.11 Cornsnakes
1.1 Hogg island boas
1.0 Dwarf Burmese python
Location: Watford
Website- http://rassnakes.yolasite.com/ |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 30/06/2009 : 16:06:32
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Thanks for the reassurance Sexybear77. I know it seems as though I am panicing but my 11yr old sonis convinced Kellog is going to die and it certainly is unsettling having a snake for the 1st time, who hasnt eaten yet and who is now juddering when touched and hiding in his cave. I have always felt that Kellogs cave should be his safe place so we have never disturbed him when he is in it. He is in the same viv as when we bought him. As soon as he has eaten we hope to move him into a bigger viv, then we can fit in a couple of hides for him, one at each end.
Regarding eating, yes we have tried braining a mouse and Kellog still totally ignored it. We try dangling it first and then leave it in overnight, but its always there the next morning - untouched.
Viv is on coffee table in corner of lounge. Kellog's behavious has seemed fine and settled, he will even drink while my hand is still in viv straightening his substrate.
Have been advised not to handle him at all until he feeds, do you agree with this? We never touch his underbelly, the juddering happens when we stroke his back...very strange.
Thanks for reassuarances. I hate being a new owner and knowing so little, which is why this forum is such a god-send. I also have 2 kids who need to know that their new snake is going to come out of hiding at some point and is even going to eat some time soon. Thanks again. |
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deleted
10 Posts |
Posted - 30/06/2009 : 17:53:18
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Hi Kellog.
I have recently purchased my own new corn snake, the first snake I've ever had, mine is also doing exactly the same, (not eating, acting hyper) and I have been told that it is just because of breeding season by many professionals as I worry alot! So no worries, he'll be fine! :) |
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SexyBear77
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3796 Posts |
Posted - 30/06/2009 : 22:55:01
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not handling your snake at all until he feeds will help your snake feel more settled and at home, but he may not eat for many months, and this will then cause a problem when trying to handle him.
also, you said that he only has one hide... could it be that he is not able to thermoregulate sufficiently due to being in his only hide all the time? and that this is causing him to feel stressed? aswell, is the corner of the lounge in a high traffic area, where he could be feeling threatened? consider absolutely everything that could be up, and keep trying. |
9.11 Cornsnakes
1.1 Hogg island boas
1.0 Dwarf Burmese python
Location: Watford
Website- http://rassnakes.yolasite.com/ |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2009 : 03:53:24
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Thanks for replies. I have been worried about this not handling til he eats thing, knowing it could go on for a while. Might try getting him out each day for a very short period, except on days when I'm trying to feed him.
He put his head out of his cave for a bit today and doesn't look 'blue' anymore. Not sure if he has shed in cave or is in period between going cloudy and shedding.
Problem with a hot hide and a cold hide is that there isn't enough room in the viv for it, which is why I want to move him into a bigger one as soon as he is eating.
The corner of the lounge is the quietest corner, away from all activity, doorways etc. Protected by 2 sofas on each side.
I guess you just try and do your best for your snake, he is my responsibility and I am very aware that I know nothing really about keeping snakes except what I have read - which doesnt prepare you. This site has certainly helped my steep learning curve and helped calm my nerves! |
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Chimp276
Yearling
United Kingdom
587 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2009 : 12:34:25
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| I think you need to get another hide! Is your hide in the cold end of his viv? |
0.1.0 Hypo Stripe - Aero
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos - Marley and Lemon
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2009 : 20:21:20
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I do agree about other hide, might try and fit flower pot in corner. Current cave is in cold end. Unfortunately husband's response to any suggestion of a change or advice about Kellog is that he has coped well enough in present viv in present conditions with previous owner! Not helpful!!
He peaked out earlier today but still hasnt come out. Think he did last night as found substrate moved around. From what I can see of his body he is not 'blue' anymore so I guess we are just waiting for him to shed.
Need to weigh him but obviously dont want to force him out of cave, so am just waiting for now. |
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n/a
deleted
14 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2009 : 10:25:29
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| Hello, any luck with him feeding again? I would suggest taking a faeces sample to your local reptile vet, it’s about £15 depending on your location. They will be able to tell you what’s wrong with him. Also he could just be on the look for a female, do you know if he has been bred before? |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2009 : 20:45:01
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Good news is Kellog is out of his hide and steaming around his viv at the rate of knots! He came out this morning and then shed. His 1st shed with us on 27th May was a clean shed, all in one piece. This one wasn't lots of bits but eyes and tail are clear. Small bit still on his nose.
Took him out this evening and he was all over the place, felt wonderful. Weighed him. (will remind you of last couple of weights)
8th June - 674g
15th June - 660g
22nd June - 655g
2nd July - 631g
This is the biggest weight drop (although instead of 1 week between weighing it was 11 days cos of shed). Last tried to feed him on 21st June and will try him again tomorrow or next day - not sure which is best.
Husband reacted exactly as expected when I suggested he needed a hide in hot end of viv. Will keep working on him ;-)
He hasn't been bred before.
Will think about taking sample to vet if he doesn't feed soon, although may be diffucult finding some. He did do some this morning but we are totally cleaning out viv so its gone.
Thanks for all help and support - you guys are keeping me sane. Have taken some more photos which will post when I can - problem was he didnt want to stop and pose! |
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n/a
deleted
14 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2009 : 11:19:30
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| Hope he eats soon! he should have hides at both hot and cool side of his viv, to save money you could use a tub as a hide. How often do you hold him? .. I would leave him alone for a few days and just check on him to see how hes doing, then try feeding him again. |
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Chimp276
Yearling
United Kingdom
587 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2009 : 11:50:33
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Mate the reason he isnt eating maybe because he hasnt got a hide in the hot end! He needs one!
Snakes use the heat to digest their food, but their need to hide is greater then their need to eat, so if he has nowhere to hide in the hot end, he wont eat!
Hope you sort it out quickly mate! |
0.1.0 Hypo Stripe - Aero
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos - Marley and Lemon
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2009 : 20:30:16
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I understand what you are saying and agree. Problem is husband - his attitude is that Kellog has survived for the past 4 years in this viv with old owner, fed quite happily in these circumstances and therefore there is no need to change anything. Will continue to try to 'encourage' him to change his mind and add hide in hot end.
He shed yesterday and will try and feed him tomorrow.
Am trying to do my best for Kellog and trying to learn as much as I can, but unfortunately my hands are tied. |
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Chimp276
Yearling
United Kingdom
587 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 12:51:35
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| Show him very care sheet in the history of corn snakes, they need a hide in both ends! Why not just get one and not let him notice lol! They only cost like £5! |
0.1.0 Hypo Stripe - Aero
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos - Marley and Lemon
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2009 : 09:27:42
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Tried to feed Kellog yesterday. Just placed mouse in viv. He showed interest, getting his mouth right up to it and opening it a bit but then it unfortunately fell off the top on his cave (where my husband had put it). I took it out and replaced it later in a bowl but it was still there in the morning.
Husband's arguement about another viv in hot end is that there isn't enough room.
Have posted new photos of Kellog since his shed in Snake Photos - take a look and see what you think. |
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Chimp276
Yearling
United Kingdom
587 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2009 : 11:41:49
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Ok i understand where you're coming from
What size viv have you got the snake in?
And how long is kellog? |
0.1.0 Hypo Stripe - Aero
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos - Marley and Lemon
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nikki77
Egg
United Kingdom
73 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2009 : 12:23:38
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Hi,
Dont mean to sound horrible, so please dont be offended but is Kellog your snake or your husbands? If EVERYONE is telling you how important the hide in the warm end is and you are so frantic about him not eating and you want to do what is best for Kellog then surely it is worth just getting or making a hide and just puting it in the viv, what can your husband do then, take it out? If that was my OH I would ignore him for the sake of my pet's health, after all surely he isnt going to be that angry with you if you do just go ahead and do it? But that is just my opinion. |
0.2.0 Milly & Molly (tortie cats)
0.1.0 Visuki (Amel Corn) |
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Chimp276
Yearling
United Kingdom
587 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2009 : 13:17:09
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well said nikki
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0.1.0 Hypo Stripe - Aero
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos - Marley and Lemon
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2009 : 20:47:58
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Dont worry, am not offended nikki77, know how pathetic I sound. The snake is really the family's but I am trying to do my best for it. Problem is he has been told by reptile specialist that there is no need for another hide, no need for a heat mat and everything is fine. Unfortunately he takes their advice more seriously.
Kellog is just under 4 feet. Viv is 75cm long, 38cm deep and 38cm high. Know he needs a bigger one but thought it best to wait until he feeds before disturbing him by moving him to new surroundings. If I can't convince my husband to put in new hide would it improve things if I moved present hide to hot end? |
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new snake not feeding
