Freak Accident

[Krymsan]

Hello all, I am new. I'm quite upset today due to the events of last night. I am a new snake owner, and up until last night we had two beautiful baby corns. At first I thought my lovely Creamsicle had escaped, and I had turned everything up side down looking for her (including the inside of klenix boxes). As the night went on I had my sneaking suspicions that the Rootbeer corn was a little fat for eating last wednesday.. I called up the breeder you sold us the two corns and asked if it was possible if one had eaten the other. He said that it was unlikely but told us to bring over the snake and cage to see (he's a pretty awesome guy all around). So we got there and he picked up the snake and almost imediately he said that it is likely that the rootbeer ate the creamsicle (at this point I was almost in tears).

He tried to regergatate the snake, but it was getting too irratated so he stopped, but there was definately something in there, and it didn't sit like a bulge like a pinkie would. He was pretty surprised that a snake only a couple of months old would be able to eat another snake it's own size. I'm very certian it was a freak accident.. but I'm really upset for loosing my snake (I had picked out the Creamsicle and my boyfriend had picked out the Rootbeer).

So that's my little story, the breeder also refounded us $25 bucks (which I was very surprised, but like I said, an all around good guy). I'm thinking about maybe setting up another tank (we have another 10 gallon aquarium), and maybe getting a male so that we have a breeding pair. I don't really want to put another snake in with that one.

[C#@$e]

sorry to hear that. It most be a freak accident because my cuz has 4 corn snakes together in a 75 galleon, he has had them since they were all babies and none have died or have tried to eat the others, im acctually thinking about getting a corn after i get a new tank but like i said sry to hear that.

[seann]

I have bred corns in my past, and it is not uncommon for baby corns to be cannibalistic it happens regulary, i kept a clutch that just hatched in a 20 gallon tank and i saw about three or four eating each other, so do not keep babys together due to stress issues and one will eat the other. I find adults to be ok housed together, i know alot will disagree on me saying this but i have kept a male and female adult pair together for about 7 years now and no feeding prblems or health issues and the do awsome although they have lots of room and multiple hiding boxes.

[viper99]

how did the snake eat the other snake if they where the same size?

[Aaron_S]

I've seen it happen in other species. It's quite easy, just eats it like any other animal. Except they usually throw it back up due to the size.

[Krymsan]

Yeah, I'm pretty bummed, but I think I may get a fancier corn next time.. Possibly a snow or Anery. I'm reading Bill and Kathy's Comprehensive owners manual to pass the time. I may also check out the Manitoba Reptile Expo on October 5th.. Maybe I'll find a new pet there..

[gonesnakee]

Sorry but not a "freak accident" but a totally avoidable one. One of the major risks associated with the group housing of snakes. Stuff like this happens all the time. I know of multiple instances where baby corns have eaten one another. Hopefully the "eater" will be OK quite often when a snake eats another its own size it will regurge it & then die itself. I know of multiple instances of this resulting from Boas being housed together. Anyhow live & learn. Group housing of snakes does not go without its risks. Mark

[Aaron_S]

Didn't we argue this on the forums a few months ago?

[gonesnakee]

I think I "argue" it every few weeks for a decade or so now ;) LOL Mark

[Durtis]

i would never put two or multiple baby snakes together but i have 4 corns in a tank all about the same size give or take an inch or so and nothing has ever happened
i also feed them often so they dont get the chance to get really hungry

[Aaron_S]

Regardless of how hungry they are they may still do it. One can still be hungry after it's meal and attack the other one who hasn't quite finished, if you feed them all in the same enclosure too.

Snakes tend to be opportunistic feeders because in the wild they don't always get a chance to find food. Noone drops a meal of appropriate size in front of them there. So they eat when they can. It's still a bad idea.

[Durtis]

i do not feed them together and i belive so far im lucky
my parents recently bought a house and we are in the process of building my room and once thats done they are all going to get there own tanks. the biggest thing right now is that i just dont have the room. so dont get me wrong i want them all in there own tanks

[Aaron_S]

That's good to hear.

for the future, possibly make sure each animal has it's own enclosure before purchase. If for any reason, so that it can be quarantined for a 90 period to ensure the safety of your current collection.

[Durtis]

well they did have there own enclosures for almost 4 monthes but because of moving i reluctantly put them together