messy snake, tips on cleaning

[lilredcorn]

Fed my corn snake a dethawed frozen pinkie tonight and it basically fell apart. My snake got pretty messy from it. what's the best way to clean him off? You can basically only use warm water right?. i'm a bit of a germaphob so extra worried about salmonella now that he got gooey mouse guts all over him. I wanted to wipe him off right then and there but seeing as he had just ate I didn't think I should disturb him that much. Thanks

[Kera]

I think just let him digest a bit, and make sure his water bowl is big enough to soak in. He'll clean himself off, or after a day or two, put some warm (not scalding, but warm to the touch) and let him swim around then hold him with paper towels in your hands so it gets the extras off.If he cleans himself, get fresh water in the bowl.

[lilredcorn]

Ok thanks for the tips

[Wyldrose]

How did you thaw it? I use warm tap water and have never had a mouse explode (knock on wood). Too hot can often make them explode.

[lilredcorn]

How did you thaw it? I use warm tap water and have never had a mouse explode (knock on wood). Too hot can often make them explode.

I had it dethawing in hot water, guess it was to hot and in there to long cause it made the mouse super soft, made sure it wasn't hot when he ate it though. Lesson learned, first time I've fed a snake. Next time i'm just going to let it thaw naturally and then dip it in warmer water so it appears to have body warmth for snake

[KORBIN5895]

Your corn probably won't care if the mouse is heated up.

Also careful when putting a snake in warm water as they are ecotherms.

[Starbuck]

Korbin is correct. You want water that is between 75 and 90 degrees, which probably wouldn't feel very warm to us. Hotter than that and they can quickly overheat.

[formica]

sounds like the water was too hot and the mouse got cooked

If you have an IR thermometer, you can check the temp of the mouse, mice and rats have a body temp between 37-38C, its not essential to achieve this temp, but its a good thing to aim for and it does help avoid the possibility of ''cooking'' the mouse, or feeding one which is cold.

if you can hold your finger in the water and its hot, but not so hot you can only keep it in for a little while, then its probably the right temp.

around 45C water is what I use for most corn sized mice, over 60C and it could start to cook, under 30C and it will take a while to defrost and will probably be cold (under 20C, if the mouse is big enough) when defrosted and theres a small chance it may be ignored, although corns rarely ignore anything worth eating :)

[Terranaut]

You should never thaw in hot water. Thaw at room temp and put it in hot water for a min or 2 before offering. This way even if your water is tonhot there isn't enough time to cook the prey. A corn will take prey that is warm to the touch. Many feeding threads deal with ball pythons who require almost hot prey 9 times in 10. Just thaw yours by leaving it sit out for a few hours. Toss it in hot as you got tap water and in a min or so take it out. Drip dry for 10 seconds and present. Won't be as messy ;)

[EL Ziggy]

I was thawing in warm water and too often the mice would get squishy, now I let the mice thaw naturally and then warm them up with a hair dryer for a minute or two.

[lilredcorn]

Korbin is correct. You want water that is between 75 and 90 degrees, which probably wouldn't feel very warm to us. Hotter than that and they can quickly overheat.
Good to know thank you

[lilredcorn]

Cool thanks guys my next feeding experience will be alot cleaner now lol

[KORBIN5895]

Honestly I would say even water at 90°f is too hot. That is the basking spot for most species and I feel just throwing a snake into a basin if water that is its basking temp is too much. I always try to soak them in water that is in the ambient range.

[Starbuck]

Honestly I would say even water at 90°f is too hot. That is the basking spot for most species and I feel just throwing a snake into a basin if water that is its basking temp is too much. I always try to soak them in water that is in the ambient range.


I guess that is true. Whenever i have cleaned up my snakes I've dipped a paper towel into the water, then wiped down the snake, but i wouldn't go tossing him into that temp to soak.

It's important to remember that reptiles are ectothermic and operate on a lower body temp. Smaller animals also have a greater surface area through which to lose/absorb heat relative to their mass; so the effects are compounded.

[lilredcorn]

Today I let him soak in some water for about 3 mins. The temp was 82 degrees. I think he was getting a little dehydrated skin looked a little wrinkly before but tonight he looks better. I don't think he's drinking enough water on his own for whatever reason. Everyone I get done handling him I put his head by his water bowl and hell drink.

[formica]

Today I let him soak in some water for about 3 mins. The temp was 82 degrees. I think he was getting a little dehydrated skin looked a little wrinkly before but tonight he looks better. I don't think he's drinking enough water on his own for whatever reason. Everyone I get done handling him I put his head by his water bowl and hell drink.

dehydration in a corns does not happen easily - it usually means no access to water, to high temps, improper temperature gradient and not enough/incorrect food - are you sure he is not just a bit wrinkly because he's about to shed?

what are your temps, and how is the enclosure setup?

[Starbuck]

I would make sure he can get to the water bowl without having to cross wide expanses, either put it in a corner or make a 'bridge' with some plants or something.

Most of my snakes will also drink if I put them right over their water dish, but mine get most of their moisture from their prey. You could try dipping your mouse in water before feeding, or just chalk it up to opportunity.

[lilredcorn]

dehydration in a corns does not happen easily - it usually means no access to water, to high temps, improper temperature gradient and not enough/incorrect food - are you sure he is not just a bit wrinkly because he's about to shed?

what are your temps, and how is the enclosure setup?

i've only had him since Monday, feed him Tuesday that's when I noticed he didn't seem as plump as Monday seemed to be a little wrinkly by the neck and other areas where he was bent at. He drank alot! Tuesday before I fed him seemed weird him drinking so much water, and that's when I put him by the bowl. soaked him Wednesday he drank just a little and today he seems much more plumper with no wrinkles. Eyes are clear I suppose he could be a little more shinier, I don't think he is close to shedding. but then again i'm not a snake expert just yet, he's my first one. I don't let the tank get above 86 degrees. I have a basking light and a heating mat. bowl of water is very easy to get to. Right now he's in a 10 gal cause he's still very small, has aspen bedding and a U shaped little log turned upside down for his hiding spot... Which he never uses. In fact I never see him moving around during day or night for that matter. Just seems to stay under aspen all the time

[lilredcorn]

He also drank alot of water tonight, but didn't look dehydrated, I don't really know how often snakes drink water or how much of it they do drink when they do

[lilredcorn]

I would make sure he can get to the water bowl without having to cross wide expanses, either put it in a corner or make a 'bridge' with some plants or something.

Most of my snakes will also drink if I put them right over their water dish, but mine get most of their moisture from their prey. You could try dipping your mouse in water before feeding, or just chalk it up to opportunity.

His bowl is low and only in a10 gal so it should be pretty easy to find. I will soak his pinkie everytime. Thanks

[Starbuck]

what i meant is that even in a 10 gallon, is the snake has to cross over open expanses to get to his water dish he may be too nervous to do so. By draping some plants over the water dish (or even a paper towel?) your snake can stay 'hidden' and under cover when he goes to feet a drink.

Since you've only had him less than a week though i think its probably too soon to say that your husbandry is making him dehydrated. It could be the stress of a new environment and travel.

[lilredcorn]

what i meant is that even in a 10 gallon, is the snake has to cross over open expanses to get to his water dish he may be too nervous to do so. By draping some plants over the water dish (or even a paper towel?) your snake can stay 'hidden' and under cover when he goes to feet a drink.

Since you've only had him less than a week though i think its probably too soon to say that your husbandry is making him dehydrated. It could be the stress of a new environment and travel.

Ok cool will have to get some more decor and put by the dish i've been meaning to buy haven't been able to find much I like. Thanks for the info!

[shaunyboy]

Fed my corn snake a dethawed frozen pinkie tonight and it basically fell apart. My snake got pretty messy from it. what's the best way to clean him off? You can basically only use warm water right?. i'm a bit of a germaphob so extra worried about salmonella now that he got gooey mouse guts all over him. I wanted to wipe him off right then and there but seeing as he had just ate I didn't think I should disturb him that much. Thanks

a bath at the correct temperature,or a wet cloth,which ever is easiest for you mate

as long as you wash your hands after handling,you have no worries about catching anything


cheers shaun