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29 Posts

Posted - 20/06/2009 :  20:12:36  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
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.

Chimp276
Yearling

United Kingdom
587 Posts

Posted - 20/06/2009 :  20:31:55  Show Profile  Click to see Chimp276's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Give it about 5 days! Then try again!

0.1.0 Hypo Stripe - Aero
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos - Marley and Lemon

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gingerpony
Queen Bee

United Kingdom
10455 Posts

Posted - 20/06/2009 :  21:00:39  Show Profile  Click to see gingerpony's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
allow him to settle in for a whole week with no interaction, just change his water daily to allow him to get to know his new environment and learn you're not a threat and going to eat him!
then try a first feed (regardless of when you were told he was next due a feed)
if he takes it allow 2 days for him to digest it then you are ok to handle him. this advice is for the long-term walfare of your snake.

cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos

Location:Leeds/York/Selby area
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gingerpony
Queen Bee

United Kingdom
10455 Posts

Posted - 20/06/2009 :  21:01:00  Show Profile  Click to see gingerpony's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
i'm gonna do a 'sticky' on this................

cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos

Location:Leeds/York/Selby area
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29 Posts

Posted - 23/06/2009 :  16:16:44  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks for the info I will try in a couple of days time, also I have been told by someone who keeps lizards that its best to wiggle the pinkie in front of the snake any truth in this???
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SexyBear77
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3796 Posts

Posted - 23/06/2009 :  16:55:12  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Moving the prey item may tempt a reluctant feeder to strike at and grab the prey, mostly because it gives the impression that the prey is alive, and better manipulates the snakes instincts to attack live animals. The best way to do this is with a long pair of metal tongs- the ones used for removing fly-hooks and lures from fishes mouths are good for this task, readily available and are inexpensive. NEVER use your fingers to shake a prey item at your snake- you are very likely to get bitten, and if your snake is a reluctant feeder it may well upset and stress it more.

Be sure to release to prey item soon after your snake has grabbed it, and be prepared for a rather fast and sometimes startling attack. Failure to release the prey item quick enough or pulling back on the prey through fear/shock can result in teeth being pulled from your snakes mouth, which is obviously distressing and problematic for both snake and owner.

As GP said above- give your snake a while to settle in before you attempt another feed. This will allow your snake to explore it's new surroundings and chill out a bit after a change of house. A stressed animal will not feed, and if it does, it can result in regurgitation- also stressful.

If you follow this advice and then try a feed, and your snake is STILL reluctant to eat, try braining the prey animal. It may sound gruesome, but brain is a hugely appealing smell and just may tip the balance in your favour!!! Make an incision into the head of the prey to expose the brain, and leave it with your snake overnight.

Hopefully this should do the trick! If not, there are plenty of people here to offer more advice. Good Luck!!!

9.11 Cornsnakes
1.1 Hogg island boas
1.0 Dwarf Burmese python

Location: Watford
Website- http://rassnakes.yolasite.com/
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punumbear
Hatchling

United Kingdom
483 Posts

Posted - 23/06/2009 :  20:09:30  Show Profile  Click to see punumbear's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
i always have to brain second pinky as madam goes wondering n tries to eat tub floor...daft mare..lol


love my animals more than i like people.
the gang
1 ridgeback
2 kids
1 anery-lil aney
1 m, 4 ft candy cane corn.. aka kellogg..
1 carolina corn-claret/carrot
Newest additon.. f whiteout corn-pastel??
1african house snake - Bob
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29 Posts

Posted - 24/06/2009 :  07:54:57  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Superb info I will attempt a feed on Saturday night and let you know the outcome, I dont fancy the @wiggle@ effect as, like you posted, I dont fancy potnetially injuring Spike. I will let you know the outcome.
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SexyBear77
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3796 Posts

Posted - 24/06/2009 :  08:32:43  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
If you are worried, place the pinkie on the floor and use the tongs to wiggle it slightly- this way you can used to it before actually holding the prey item!!

Hope this helps

9.11 Cornsnakes
1.1 Hogg island boas
1.0 Dwarf Burmese python

Location: Watford
Website- http://rassnakes.yolasite.com/
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29 Posts

Posted - 25/06/2009 :  08:30:44  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Just changed Spikes water and found him under the dish I coaxed him away from and he was cold to touch could this be something to do with why he is not feeding??
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Ell
Sub Adult

United Kingdom
1640 Posts

Posted - 25/06/2009 :  11:23:46  Show Profile  Click to see Ell's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
I wouldn't worry about it. Snakes know to go to the warm side of the viv when they get too cold and its quite warm at this time of year anyway. He should be fine :)



1.0.0 Normal corn snake - Dusk
0.1.0 Strawberry Snow Stripe corn snake - Dawn
0.1.0 Harlequin Crested Gecko - Stickles
1.0.0 Sable Syrian Hamster - CoCo
0.1.0 Hognose snake - Truffles
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29 Posts

Posted - 26/06/2009 :  07:23:06  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Right chaps and lasses Spike is being fed tonight about 6pm I am going to brain the pinkie, is best to leave him for the night in his seperate container with pinkie???
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SexyBear77
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3796 Posts

Posted - 26/06/2009 :  07:53:15  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
If he doesnt take it at first yes.

9.11 Cornsnakes
1.1 Hogg island boas
1.0 Dwarf Burmese python

Location: Watford
Website- http://rassnakes.yolasite.com/
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gingerpony
Queen Bee

United Kingdom
10455 Posts

Posted - 26/06/2009 :  13:47:18  Show Profile  Click to see gingerpony's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
try leaving him undisturbed with it for 20-30 mins, then overnight if he doesn't take it

cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos

Location:Leeds/York/Selby area
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n/a
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29 Posts

Posted - 27/06/2009 :  07:06:40  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Spke did not take the pinkie even though I brained it and left it with him overnight. he has a mooch around every now and then but he has not had a feed for 10 - 14 days now should I be worried???
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18 Posts

Posted - 27/06/2009 :  09:26:32  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
What colour pinkies are you using as some snakes have been found to be picky over colour, and if he doesnt take it then, try warming it up a little and braining it so he has the best of both. :) Good luck and I hope he feeds soon!!
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29 Posts

Posted - 27/06/2009 :  09:56:32  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I put the pinkie in warm water for a few seconds and have brained it so dont know what his problem is at the minute, maybe he wants it a la carte
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29 Posts

Posted - 01/07/2009 :  08:21:11  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Trying him again to day for the last time if he doesn't feed I am taking him to the vet for a once over and also phoning the pet shop.
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SexyBear77
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3796 Posts

Posted - 01/07/2009 :  10:26:14  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
good luck with him today, and good idea bout taking him to see a specialist if he doesn't feed.

9.11 Cornsnakes
1.1 Hogg island boas
1.0 Dwarf Burmese python

Location: Watford
Website- http://rassnakes.yolasite.com/
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29 Posts

Posted - 10/07/2009 :  17:04:56  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Spike R.I.P. Woke up this morning and he was brown bread. I tried all the advice I was given, even went to Twycross Zoo and sought advice there (suggested stroking a rabbit and transfer the smell onto the pinkie apparantley its like chocolate to snakes) but no joy he would not feed.
I have been in contact with the pet shop and they have been great and are going to replave Spike next week
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Chimp276
Yearling

United Kingdom
587 Posts

Posted - 10/07/2009 :  18:38:04  Show Profile  Click to see Chimp276's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Man i am so sorry to hear that! There must have been summin wrong with him! Well im sure u will have better luck with ur next snake :(!!

0.1.0 Hypo Stripe - Aero
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos - Marley and Lemon

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