Originally Posted by Umopapisdn

Im a fairly new member, literally just joined up a few seconds ago.

Yesterday, i rescued two corn snakes from an owner that was very poorly treating them. When i picked them up there was rotting mice in the corner where they had just been flung into their viv, and poo just everywhere.

So i took them home, and settled them in nicely, and they seem to be acting fine, but when i tried feeding them, they wouldnt take. Their fully grown, and should be taking large mice, but even when fully defrosted in hot water and then dried, and dangled infront of them, they refuse to take it and jerk away, almost like their scared.

Im not sure whether they arent eating because they are in a new environment and havent settled in, or assosiate the smell of mice now with how they have been treated, but neither of them want to eat. I tried again this morning and still nothing.

Has anyone got any logical suggestions?

Originally Posted by Grond

Personally, I think you've tried too soon without giving them chance to settle in!

I'd leave them alone for at least a week apart from a couple of water changes, and then try feeding them again with a smaller than usual food item.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Umopapisdn

See, I would have said that too, except the fact that when I got the baby corn that i have aswell, he fed the day I got him, within half an hour of setting him up.

Also though, the female i have has a swollen and raw back end, between the anus and the tail from being mistreated, Im thinking not being cleaned properly in that area.

But the person before me said she's had it from at least since they've had them, which is afew years so I wouldn't imagine it would be a problem with her eating, otherwise she wouldn't be with us...

I may well try the seperating technique aswell as I have a divider and see if they take, but I'm still going to leave it a week before I attempt feeding them again.

Any replies would again be gratefully appreciated...

Originally Posted by radicaldave

If you have not tried already i guess you could try braining the mice corns are quite hot for the smell of mouse brains.

Perhaps they are not used to strike feeding maybe.. if you have them seperated of course leave them a mouse each for an hour or so during active time (early evening - dusk) and see if they take it?

Originally Posted by Umopapisdn

Yea, I think when sunday comes around again and I try feeding, I'll try around about seven o'clock, and if they dont take, I'll put in the divider, leave the mice and they can eat if they want too, but should I just leave the one in there for each of them, and if they take try giving them another? Because I dont know how much they usually have to eat, but if they look like their hunting I'm assuming they'll take again wouldnt they?

But I would imagine braining them would be a fairly messy process wouldnt it? Whats the best technique without getting mouse brains everywhere?

I do also apologize for pestering you nice people, I'm just worried about them because they've been so badly treated and I want them to have a good rest of their lives...