Baby snake stressing out new owner

[Lips McGee]

Forgive me if this is a bit long but as I mentioned in the title I am a new snake owner and want to make sure I get all the information and I am doing my best with my corn snake. He is still a baby but already has so much personality.

I got my new snake around February 20th and his first feeding with me was around the 25th. That went smoothly and so did his second feeding on March 3rd. However, during his first feeding I noticed a little black bug crawling around on his head. I had to wait until the 7th so I could take him back to the reptile store to confirm my suspicions. Turns out he has mites so they treated him that day and I took him home to treat his enclosure, his hides are in the freezer and have been since I confirmed mites. He's now on paper towel substrate with no hides. His next feeding day was supposed to be the 9th however he didn't eat and I took it as stress from the treatment and new enclosure environment. So I tried to feed the day after and was told that was a no-no and to try during the weekend. Well during the weekend he shed and that basically gave me my answer as to why he didn't feed. I gave him a couple of days and waited until today(3/15) to try and feed him yet he would not take. I also found him outside of enclosure hiding in my backpack inside my closet. Little man is stressing me out because I feel like he just wants a decent hide to get comfortable in and he hasn't eaten in a couple of weeks.

I have read a lot about brumation but I am not sure if this applies to him or it is the stress from the treatments and not having his normal hides to hide in.

Do clear Tupperware containers make good hides even though they're clear? The main thing I want to know is what I am doing good and/or can I do better?

[Lips McGee]

Forgive me if this is a bit long but as I mentioned in the title I am a new snake owner and want to make sure I get all the information and I am doing my best with my corn snake. He is still a baby but already has so much personality.

I got my new snake around February 20th and his first feeding with me was around the 25th. That went smoothly and so did his second feeding on March 3rd. However, during his first feeding I noticed a little black bug crawling around on his head. I had to wait until the 7th so I could take him back to the reptile store to confirm my suspicions. Turns out he has mites so they treated him that day and I took him home to treat his enclosure, his hides are in the freezer and have been since I confirmed mites. He's now on paper towel substrate with no hides. His next feeding day was supposed to be the 9th however he didn't eat and I took it as stress from the treatment and new enclosure environment. So I tried to feed the day after and was told that was a no-no and to try during the weekend. Well during the weekend he shed and that basically gave me my answer as to why he didn't feed. I gave him a couple of days and waited until today(3/15) to try and feed him yet he would not take. I also found him outside of enclosure hiding in my backpack inside my closet. Little man is stressing me out because I feel like he just wants a decent hide to get comfortable in and he hasn't eaten in a couple of weeks.

I have read a lot about brumation but I am not sure if this applies to him or it is the stress from the treatments and not having his normal hides to hide in.

Do clear Tupperware containers make good hides even though they're clear? The main thing I want to know is what I am doing good and/or can I do better?

[Aaron_S]

Merged the same thread into one.

So I'm going to be as point of fact as possible as I only have 3 minutes to respond.

1. Ensure your enclosure is escape proof. Find any holes or crevices and make sure they are filled as snakes will continue to escape.

2. Instead of tupperware containers use cardboard pieces. You can rip up old cereal boxes or anything and toss them out every 5 to 7 days with cleaning or mite treatments.

3. Stick to 5 or 7 day meal intervals. If the snake doesn't eat don't need to try the next day.

4. What are you using for mite treatment?

[Lips McGee]

1. Trust me, I am now taking precautions to ensure his escape does not happen again. It was my fault, though. I cut out a small hole into the top to insert the probe for the thermostat and unintentionally made it bigger than necessary. But I am currently brainstorming ideas to seal it back up.
2. I hadn't considered cardboard but that is an excellent idea. thank you for that one.
3. So if I stick to that regiment than his next feeding is next week. I don't like it but if it has to be so then so it shall be.
4. I am using the reptile store recommendation of Jurassi mite for the treatment.

[Lips McGee]

I wanted to post an update since the last post. The snake, butters, is doing well. Today was his 2nd official feeding since I created this thread. After the first one I was so excited he ate because he had me worried, however today I know it is pretty much official that he has adapted and is comfortable. I still worry about his comfort because he is still being treated for mites but he is a champ. The mites update is that earlier this week I had done a treatment and it is looking promising. I did see some in his eyes still, at that time, however, I did not see any today. I don't want to get too excited over that but it seems a couple of more treatments and he will be ready to have his original substrate and hides back.