I just purchased a baby, need help?

[sheilalovesanim]

Hi everyone

My name is Sheila. I just purchased a baby Buttercorn on the Internet 8 days ago. And, this baby has not eaten for me in over a week. I have tried and tried and tried. I have emailed the seller about it, over and over again. He keeps insisting this snake has eaten for him. But this snake is the tiniest snake i have ever seen. It acts like it has never even seen a Pinkie before. When i offer it to him in a deli cup like the guy told me too, he tries to get away from the very tiny Pinkie like he is scared of it. He said to just give him sometime, but he doesn't look like he has much time left. I paid a lot of $ for this snake. Does anyone have any advice for me. I really need someone. Please guys, i need help. I don't know what to do. I don't want to force feed it. I have never done this before. I don't even know how. I don't want to lose this baby snake. The guy said he didn't even know how old this snake was. How could he possibly not know if he sold it to me, and it is CB?
Sheila:(

[marisa]

A week is not really huge concern yet. But how big is this snake? Are you handling this snake?

How hot is the hot spot in the enclosure?
What size enclosure?

We need more information.

Marisa

[Tim_Cranwill]

You're over reacting. Don't worry, you have lots of time to get the snake to eat.

Now, tell us everything you can about how you are keeping the snake. Temps, cage type, cage size, handling regimen, hides (# and size), substrate and etc.

Just chill out. We'll help you through this. :)

EDIT: Snap some pictures if you can.

[Shad0w]

Shiela,

The pinky yer offering... is it live or dead?
You might want to try dead if it seems intimidated by a moving pinky...

also.. how long are you keeping the pinky in with the snake?

Are you watching it? or just leaving it alone?

Might I suggest you offer it a dead pinky, in its hide, leave it in there overnight.. and check on it in the morning ... :)

Do not peek in on it... just give it privacy...

Lemme know how it goes and pls feel free to email me if you want help off fourm :)

[sheilalovesanim]

He is real tiny. About 9-10 inches long. Not handling him. I have only picked him up to get him to go eat. I took him out for awhile last night to check on him, and he tried to get away. He was scared of me. He is so little. I have him in a 10 gallon with a hide box, Aspen subtrate, and a water bowl. He also has a Climbing tree in there made out of driftwood. His Temp in the inclosure read 85 today. Right now his light is off, and he is climbing on the driftwood, and temps are 80. Thanks you guys for helping me through this. Don't have battery for Digital to send a picture, i wish i did.

Sheila

[Shad0w]

I would suggest you leave the pinky just at the entrance to his hide... leave it there overnight...
and DONT PEEK!!! :D

[sheilalovesanim]

Do you think i should maybe cover his cage with a towel or something? I have the Pinkie in the cage by his hide.

Sheila

[Shad0w]

YES... privacy privacy privacy!

I had a shy corn that would not eat while it was young if it even thought anyone was watching... would eat fine if given time and security...

Now that its older itll take food right out of my hand.

Cover the cage... and leave it be with the dead pink by its hide... :D

Keep us posted :D

[sheilalovesanim]

Okay, i am going to cover his cage then. Give him some private time with the it. He better eat that Pinkie!!! LoL
LOL


Sheila: confused:

[Asian Jon]

Hey shadow I have the same experience, my 18cm corn wont eat for me anytime i watch. I leave it in a margarine container and check up on it 5 mins later and the pinkies are gone.

[marisa]

A lot of times you can also over try them. If he refuses tonight, I would personally, leave him alone for another entire week. He might be shedding or just needs more time. Then I would try again in the middle of the night with a new born live pinky. If you try too often to get them to eat, that can also be a problem .

Marisa

[sheilalovesanim]

I wish it was that easy for me.


sheila:p

[Tim_Cranwill]

Ditto to Marisa...

That's EXACTLY what I would try. Wait a bit and try a live pinkie at night, in the dark and don't check in on them until the morning. The pinkie will still be alive in the morning if he doesn't eat it.

Don't stress too much... :)

[sheilalovesanim]

Thanks Cran.,

I will try not to stress to much. Just never had this happen to me, and don't know what to do. Kinda new to it, ya know? Thanks for all your help. I am really greatful.


Sheila :D

[marisa]

It's alright. Everyone doesn't know what to do the first time. Eventually you stopped getting as stressed.

Now when I have baby snakes that refuse food I sometimes don't even look at them aside from water for TWO weeks. Most of us get to a point where its easier to wait and have success, than push everyday and have failure. Just give him a full week to rest and relax if he refuses again. Then try.

Also remember he *might* be shedding. Some snakes refuse food during this time, or feel more nervous about eating. A week will give it time to shed and be hungry.

Worst case (and you are still far away from this) he doesn't eat, as not every single baby from a clutch is meant for a long life. It happens. But again you aren't at this point yet.

Marisa

[sheilalovesanim]

Thanks for the encouragement. I have been a little stressed out over this, but i have calmed down a lot sense everyone has been helping me. I don't know how to thank you for caring so much.
It makes me want to cry, just knowing someone really does care.
I will keep you posted on how he is, and if there is any feeding going on under the blanket over his cage.
Thanks so very much!!!!!


Sheila :D