First snake. Need Advice. [Archive] - sSNAKESs : Reptile Forum

Snakenoob

01-20-17, 09:42 PM

Hey all. I've been a member of the forums for several years now and finally have a snake of my own! I got a corn snake from a local pet shop. It's doing well and is really docile. I've only had it for a few days, but fed it about an hour ago to keep on the schedule the pet shop had it on. They said they were feeding it 2 to 3 pinkies at feeding time, but it only took one. I offered it a 2nd but it only went to the warm side and curled up under the bedding. Should I be concerned that it only wanted one pinkie? Should I wait and try again in a little bit? Should I offer it another one tomorrow, or wait another week before feeding again? Thanks for any help!

Jim Smith

01-20-17, 10:15 PM

Typically, most people wait about seven days before attempting to feed a snake when it arrives. Your snake will know when it has eaten enough. It would be helpful if you told us about more about your new snake. How old is it? How large is it? from that information, there are people who can help you ensure that you are providing the proper husbandry for your snake including frequency and amount to feed.

Snakenoob

01-20-17, 10:26 PM

Ok. Thanks for your reply. I was told it was probably around 3 months old. It seems to be around 1 and 1/2 foot long or so.

Snakenoob

01-21-17, 09:31 AM

Also, here is a pic if this helps.

TRD

01-21-17, 09:58 AM

2-3 Pinkies should be fine for now. Pinkies don't contain much nutrients and are mostly water (>80%, compared to adult mice which is 65%). Just try again in a week, your corn also has to get used to his new home.

MartinD

01-21-17, 10:20 AM

Snakenoob

01-21-17, 11:25 AM

Ok. Sounds good. Thanks for all the replies and advice. I'll make sure to leave the little fella alone for the next week to let it get all settled in. Don't want to cause any additional stress. The pet store had no clue what color morph it may be. From what I've looked up on a few websites it seems to be a Ghost corn?

MartinD

01-21-17, 12:04 PM

He's a beautiful snake

Snakenoob

01-21-17, 12:56 PM

He's a beautiful snake

Thanks! :)

Andy_G

01-21-17, 05:39 PM

I'd get that little one on fuzzies. They are much more nutritious and if it's eating 2 or 3 pinkies at a time it's more than ready to be bumped up.

EL Ziggy

01-21-17, 06:23 PM

I agree with Andy. Time for fuzzys.

sattva

01-21-17, 07:05 PM

You were a member of the forums for several years before getting a snake! Wow you showed great restraints... I haven't been a member for a year yet and I have five now... I have no will power... :no:

Snakenoob

01-21-17, 10:29 PM

I'd get that little one on fuzzies. They are much more nutritious and if it's eating 2 or 3 pinkies at a time it's more than ready to be bumped up.

OK I'll give that a try once I have fed all the pinkies I bought. I bought a month's worth. Thanks for the suggestion.

Snakenoob

01-21-17, 10:33 PM

You were a member of the forums for several years before getting a snake! Wow you showed great restraints... I haven't been a member for a year yet and I have five now... I have no will power... :no:

Yeah lol! I've wanted a snake for years, but couldn't convince the wife. She finally gave in and let me get a corn snake. Even though I've only had it a few days, I can tell I'm going to love having snakes. I think I've convinced her to let me get 2 more eventually. I'm looking into building a rack system for 3 tubs since I'm limited for space in my office. I think a king snake will be next and then maybe a milk snake. :D

sattva

01-22-17, 10:52 AM

Yeah lol! I've wanted a snake for years, but couldn't convince the wife. She finally gave in and let me get a corn snake. Even though I've only had it a few days, I can tell I'm going to love having snakes. I think I've convinced her to let me get 2 more eventually. I'm looking into building a rack system for 3 tubs since I'm limited for space in my office. I think a king snake will be next and then maybe a milk snake. :D
This is how it starts... First it's one, and then two... and before you know it you're hooked... You are always looking for that next snake to feed your addiction... My wife said no more snakes, two snakes ago... Ya right! haha...:yes:

MartinD

01-22-17, 11:23 AM

This is how it starts... First it's one, and then two... and before you know it you're hooked... You are always looking for that next snake to feed your addiction... My wife said no more snakes, two snakes ago... Ya right! haha...:yes:

I said NO! 4 snakes ago and now I've got 7 with another 2 on their way :laugh:

sattva

01-22-17, 06:47 PM

I said NO! 4 snakes ago and now I've got 7 with another 2 on their way :laugh: Well there's the problem, your arguing with yourself... You say no when you mean yes... Now me it's always a yes and my wife puts the brake on... I just have to catch her asleep at the wheel... hehe :crazy2:

Snakenoob

01-25-17, 08:00 PM

LOL. I'm already on my way. Planning to get another 2 when the local Repticon comes. Probably going to get a king snake and another corn snake morph. :yes:

Cricket1234

01-25-17, 09:19 PM

My Milk Snake is around that size and it gets only one pinkie. Am I underfeeding it? She is not thin at all though, just wondering.

jay's reptiles

01-26-17, 08:09 AM

My Milk Snake is around that size and it gets only one pinkie. Am I underfeeding it? She is not thin at all though, just wondering. I would move up to fuzzies.

Cricket1234

01-26-17, 03:38 PM

Will fuzzies be to big? The pinkies are slightly wider than her head. Or maybe can I do 2 pinkies?:crazy2:

EL Ziggy

01-26-17, 04:07 PM

Will fuzzies be to big? The pinkies are slightly wider than her head. Or maybe can I do 2 pinkies?:crazy2:

Don't measure the food by the size of the snakes head. You can feed a prey item up to 1.5x the girth of the snake's body. I try to get my snakes off of pinkies asap and on to more mature prey items. I don't think my young snakes had more than 6 pinky meals before I bumped up their prey size.

MartinD

01-26-17, 04:14 PM

Agree with whats been said and I would get her onto fuzzies when her next feed is due. If you could see my little sunglow boa you wouldn't think she could eat a fuzzy but she does

Cricket1234

01-26-17, 05:08 PM

Agree with whats been said and I would get her onto fuzzies when her next feed is due. If you could see my little sunglow boa you wouldn't think she could eat a fuzzy but she does Okay. I will feed it the last pinkie in the pack then I am switching to fuzzies. Thanks guys!