Custom Feeding Box

[Chris_Flowers]

Hi,

Yesterday was its first feed from me and I put it in a shoe box with the pinky and let it eat. I'm thinking of making a custom feeding box for my year old corn snake. But before I do, I need to know how long I'll need to feed my corn in this way? Is it a permanent thing because I'm using wood chip substrate or will I be able to feed it in the vivarium at some point?

What I'd like to do is make a light weight wooden box with a sliding glass lid. The glass lid would be a piece of one-way glass so I could see in but my corn snake couldn't see out.

I've attached a diagram of my feeding box plans - let me know what you think.

http://www.aptr33.dsl.pipex.com/Feeding Box.jpg

Cheers ;)

[vanderkm]

Congrats on your snake feeding for the first time - it is always nice when they cooperate that way. People vary in whether they feed in a separate container for the life of the snake, or accept the risk of the snake eating some substrate when they feed in the vivarium. We feed most of our snakes right in their normal tank, but move the shavings away from the area where the mouse is placed - but hatchlings are on papertowels so there is less risk of them swollowing shavings.

Many people who do feed in a separate container just use a rubbermaid or tupperware type plastic tub that they can see into through the sides or the lid. It is possible to drill a few holes in these (with a drill bit or melted with a soldering iron) to give ventilation and you can usually see in well enough to know when the snake is done feeding.

The only problem I see with your design is that I though one way glass only operated when you look through the glass from a darkened room to a brightly lit room - and it would be hard for the inside of the box to be brightly lit when the outside was dark. I could be wrong on that though - not sure. I would still prefer the plastic tub though because it is easier to clean than wood.

good luck with your new cornsnake,

mary v.

[Edwin]

Chris,

You do not need to go through all the trouble of making a custom feeding box. I use wood chips as a substrate as well, and I just place my thawed rat on a paper plate and place it in my viv.

Hope this helps.

[NewLineReptile]

I would make it and have it Patened and sell it on E-BAY....lol
Congrats on getting it to eat for you

Brandon

[Lisa]

i wouldn't go to the trouble of making a special feeding container.

[lordkovacs]

i use rubbermaid. i don't feed in the tank for a couple of reasons... 1) it gives me some time to clean the tank while he's eating 2) when he was young he seemed more comfortable in a smaller enclosure...more secure I'd say. Of course, he and I didn't have a conversation about it over tea, but he did it the mice quicker. I'm sure there are no problems feeding inside, it's really an individual thing. If you want to feed inside with wood chips, the aforementioned idea of placing it on a shallow plate would suffice...provided the mouse isn't wet. The reason it can't be wet is because I have heard of a few instances where the snake dragged the mouse trying to get it down it's throat while wet, and a wood chip or two got stuck to the mouse. YOu wouldn't want the snake to swallow that. just a thought...
MIKE

[lordkovacs]

though, if you want to make a special box as a project just because, then that would be great. give it a vent remember. and make it out of material that you can clean. no sharp edges...

[Chris_Flowers]

Hmm, never thought of using a paper plate, sounds like a good idea. The question still remains though, how long would/do you have to feed the snake in this manner i.e. in a box or being careful of substrate? When its bigger, is there still a problem or does it only affect hatchlings/youngsters?

When I went to feed it, I did think about clearing away the substrate and placing the food there, but the plate idea sounds better.

Only problem is, my snake is so shy! It hardly ever comes out into view - at least, not during the day. Its unknown to me if its active at night.

Is it normal for the snake to hide away so much? So much, as in - all the time during the day!!?

Is it just something that affects hatcling/young snakes? Will they become more active as they get older? I'm not much bothered that he hides away, as I get to handle him when I want - but it would be nice to see him once in awhile!!

Also, my dad was toying with the idea of geting one. Would it be a wise idea? I was mainly thinking yes because my corn came from a vivarium with about 10 other snakes - presumably from the same hatch, they all looked about the same age. Maybe this would make my snake feel a bit more secure and come out more possibly?

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the feeding box feedback! I like projects, so Lord Kovacs you were spot on ;) But I think I will wait till I decide what I'm going to do about feeding on a regular basis.

Many thanks.
Chris.

[Smilts]

I have great plains rat snake i no longer feed him n his. when i do he goes int a tissy and wont let anyone stick there hands in there for the rest of the day. I would think no matter the size without precaution your snake could swollow substrate.

[Edwin]

Chris,

No matter how old your snake gets, they always run the chance of accidentally ingesting substrate. I use the paper plate method for all my snakes, and if they are shy feeders, I cover the plate with a rubbermaid or hide box.

[nellie]

Just a thought...
Is there a reason to use wood substrate? I use that green outdoor carpet in my ball python's cage. There would be no chance of swallowing. I think it is much easier for cleaning. When I used wood, I found it a royal pain to try to get all of the wood out of his tank. I just pull out the carpet, soak it in the tub in bleach water for an hour or so, scrub it quickly with a scrub brush, rinse, and let it dry. Plus, the stuff is extremely cheap at a place like Home Depot or Lowes.
~Nellie

[Chris_Flowers]

I think I'll look into geting a different substrate then. Is that 'Astroturf' your are refering to?

[lordkovacs]

astroturf is decent, though you have to wash it very regularly. the urine smell can get nasty if you dont. I have used it nonetheless in the past, but don't anymore. I used cypress mulch. though, with cypress you have to be somewhat experienced beucase you have to "spot" clean it.
corns for hte most part stay in their hide during the day time and come out more at night. reason being, that's when they start to hunt. If you like, buy a red light and put that on at night time. you can see in without the snake getting upset because he really can't see it.
Oh, are you saying your dad wants to buy one and put it in the same tank as yours? that's ok for neo's, but I wouldn't think it a good idea as they turn to juvenille's for a couple of reasons. First, it's very hard to monitor shedding and other health issues should they arise. Also, you may have one that is smaller and get more stressed from the larger one....
cheers,
MIKE

[lordkovacs]

you can get he astroturf btw at home depot and they can cut it for you. just buy a couple of pieces for each tank, taht way when you are cleaning one, you just put in a fresh one. makes it easier. I'd get 3.

[Chris_Flowers]

Originally posted by lordkovacs
astroturf is decent, though you have to wash it very regularly. the urine smell can get nasty if you dont. I have used it nonetheless in the past, but don't anymore.

Say, like once a week?

While were on the subject, I've not 'noticed' any urine or feces from my snake yet - had it almost a week. But then, it was only its first feed Sunday.

corns for hte most part stay in their hide during the day time and come out more at night. reason being, that's when they start to hunt. If you like, buy a red light and put that on at night time. you can see in without the snake getting upset because he really can't see it.

Red light as in, any standard bulb which is coloured red?
Or is this something special?

Oh, are you saying your dad wants to buy one and put it in the same tank as yours? that's ok for neo's, but I wouldn't think it a good idea as they turn to juvenille's for a couple of reasons. First, it's very hard to monitor shedding and other health issues should they arise. Also, you may have one that is smaller and get more stressed from the larger one....

Yeah same viv as mine. Ok, thanks for the advice. Best to leave the little feller on his own :)

[Chris_Flowers]

Originally posted by lordkovacs
you can get he astroturf btw at home depot and they can cut it for you. just buy a couple of pieces for each tank, taht way when you are cleaning one, you just put in a fresh one. makes it easier. I'd get 3.

Hehe, 'Homebase' here in the UK I presume, would be what 'Homedepot' is to you lot - a store selling everything from hardware, tools, wood, lighting etc. etc.

:D

[KingJaff]

Cris, having read all of your posts, i have concludid that the reaason your snake hides so much is that his viv is way way to big for him, he should be in a much smaller cotainer in side the viv.
You have two options.. buy a 10 gallon tank and put him in that, inside his normall viv, or feed him up as quickly as possible, 3 pinkies a week is the minimum, get him on fuzzies as soon as possible;)
also pearl lights hurt snakes eyes, coloured bulbs (check the english spelling;)) are much less stressfull for them. Red is my fav 4 corns, but at the mo i'm useing blue 4 my kings:p
There is no proof 2 back this bulb theory but it seems to make a big diff in my opinian. I wouldn't worry to much about it as you have a quard around your light, but your viv IS WAY TO BIG;) for a 12" snake