Corn Snake Help

[shaunartis]

Hi Im Having My Very First Snake In a Few Days

Just a Few Quick Questions

I Wil Be a Bit Nervous Feeding The Snake So Whats The Best Way To Feed ?
Should i Handle Him When I First Get The Snake?

And What Is The Best Way To Handle The Snake As He Is Going To Be A Baby And Will Be fast ?

And What Are Adult Corn Snakes Bites Like ?

Thanks Shaun

Take Care

[carliz]

everyones nervous,when gettting a snake or handling one feeding should be a pinkie every 4 to 3 days . so if you feed him say thursday you could feeed him aagian monday adefosted pinkie lol, @ room temp or put it in warm water for 5 to 10 mins, your snake mybe stressed when you 1st get it so pls dont handle your snake , give it aweek to settle into his new home, when its comes to lifting your snake be gentle but firm i get mine in mid section then i let him roam througgh my hands anyways good luck with snake

[grannykins]

Get a small tub, put holes in it, (probably use the tub you bring him home in).
Put warm pinky in tub, add snake, put lid on. You may need to cover the tub with a towel or something - some baby snakes prefer eating in private. When he's finished put the tub without lid back in his viv and he will come out and go off to digest. Thats the easiest way, especially if you are a bit nervous at first. Leave him a week to settle down in his new home first, before attempting to handle or feed him though. I've been bitten quite a few times, but I've never been bitten by an adult corn, most of them dont bite, and baby bites dont hurt at all. Dont feed more often than every 5 days - more frequently than that is power feeding - and from 6-9 months reduce that to every 7 days. Dont handle him for 48hrs after feeding, as he needs peace and quiet to digest his food.

[carliz]

Originally Posted by grannykins

Get a small tub, put holes in it, (probably use the tub you bring him home in).
Put warm pinky in tub, add snake, put lid on. You may need to cover the tub with a towel or something - some baby snakes prefer eating in private. When he's finished put the tub without lid back in his viv and he will come out and go off to digest. Thats the easiest way, especially if you are a bit nervous at first. Leave him a week to settle down in his new home first, before attempting to handle or feed him though. I've been bitten quite a few times, but I've never been bitten by an adult corn, most of them dont bite, and baby bites dont hurt at all. Dont feed more often than every 5 days - more frequently than that is power feeding - and from 6-9 months reduce that to every 7 days. Dont handle him for 48hrs after feeding, as he needs peace and quiet to digest his food.

so you think im power feeding lol

[rantasam]

Originally Posted by carliz

so you think im power feeding lol

If you are feeding every 3 days then yes, you are! You are also not allowing your snake to recover properly from the effort of digesting. When a snake digests his small intestine and other organs increase in size to cope with the exertion, also the reserves of enzymes and other digestive fluids within the snake are drawn upon to digest.

Digesting an animal can take a day or two. By feeding "every 4 to 3 days" you are not allowing your snake physically enough time to recover from his last meal, and over this time this will have health implications for your snake.

I feed my juveniles about once a week, and my adults 'about every 2 weeks' loosely. I also like to vary the time between feeds and not stick to a rigid schedule.

[grannykins]

Originally Posted by carliz

so you think im power feeding lol

If you continue to feed every 3-4 days then yes, I believe that is powerfeeding. Your snake will end up with health problems and a shortened life span.

[rantasam]

Originally Posted by shaunartis

Hi Im Having My Very First Snake In a Few Days

Just a Few Quick Questions

I Wil Be a Bit Nervous Feeding The Snake So Whats The Best Way To Feed ?

There are many methods to use. The one I prefer is to feed outside the viv with a pair of feeding tongues. Defrost your pinkie for 15-30 mins in warm water and check that it is warm and squidgy all the way through. Then wash your hands to ensure you don't smell of mice. Get your snake out of the viv (around evening time is best) and place on a flat surface. Offer the warmed pinkie head-first with the tongues a couple of inches from the snake's face. Don't go jabbing him with it.. allow him to come towards the pinkie. He will hopefully strike the pinkie, which will mean a very fast movement - can be suprising the first few times! As soon as the snake has a grip on the pinkie release the tongues and let him get on with it.

There are other methods but this is my preferred if the snake will eat like this. It is more fun for me as I get to observe him eating, it also gives me a chance to check the snake over, have alook in his mouth when he is swallowing etc.

You should feed your snake a mouse that is roughly the same size as his girth at the widest part, maybe slightly bigger. Young snakes should be fed every 5 - 7 days.

Should i Handle Him When I First Get The Snake?

Many people advise to give a week or two in his new home to settle before handling him. Others will say to wait until he has had 3 feeds before trying to pick him up. I tend to judge it by the snake's behaviour and how in control of my patience I am.

Also, be sure not to handle your snake for 2 -3 days after feeding, as they will be busy digesting their meal.

And What Is The Best Way To Handle The Snake As He Is Going To Be A Baby And Will Be fast ?

Yup, young corns are fast little things. They can be very skitty and can move quickly when startled. With a bit of regular handling you will learn how to handle your snake though, and getting used to how they move and react is part of the fun! I would handle your new snake over a bed initially.. if you drop them then it wont hurt and there are no nooks and cracks to disappear through. It's not something to worry about though - just give them full attention to begin with and I'm sure you will enjoy it.

If you do drop them, be sure to grab them instantly though, cos I know from experience they will be off like a shot.

And What Are Adult Corn Snakes Bites Like ?

Adult corn snakes can bite - like any other animal. Corns generally are very placid though and a long as they are used to being handled are very unlikely to bite. The bites themselves are far more shocking than they ever are painful though. I'd rather have a snake bite than a bite from a mouse/cat any day!

Thanks Shaun

Take Care

Have fun with your new snake, I'm sure he will give you hours of pleasure.

[jnr]

We feed ours in tubs every 6-7 days..leave for 3 days before handling again..some will say 24hrs but after an episode of regurgitating we now leave for three..all three of ours eat..poop..shed regular..one a wee bit too regular..sheds every two weeks at mo, other 3 & the largest of the bunch 4..you will get around it..trial & error..good luck

PS..we have only been keeping them a short time too

[oakelm]

Originally Posted by grannykins

Get a small tub, put holes in it, (probably use the tub you bring him home in).
Put warm pinky in tub, add snake, put lid on. You may need to cover the tub with a towel or something - some baby snakes prefer eating in private. When he's finished put the tub without lid back in his viv and he will come out and go off to digest. Thats the easiest way, especially if you are a bit nervous at first. Leave him a week to settle down in his new home first, before attempting to handle or feed him though. I've been bitten quite a few times, but I've never been bitten by an adult corn, most of them dont bite, and baby bites dont hurt at all. Dont feed more often than every 5 days - more frequently than that is power feeding - and from 6-9 months reduce that to every 7 days. Dont handle him for 48hrs after feeding, as he needs peace and quiet to digest his food.

I almost word for word agree with grannykins. This is how I do it and have never had any issues. Taken on a lot of non feeders in my time and the tub method is always the most successful for me. My only tip is to keep on the 5 days until they are at least 9 months. 6 months a bit young in my opinion for them to go 7 days, I know they can but its just a preference thing. Good luck with your new snake.