Newly adopted

[Nate2583]

So as I mentioned in my introduction post(which has all the information about the snake and the tank ect), I have a newly adopted 2 year old Cornsnake.

He seems to be adjusting fairly well.( although I don't really know what happy or miserable behavior is like in snakes) He was hiding out for most of the day but now is moving around the tank, drinking water ect.

I've been taking the time to read some care sheets, but I can't seem to find much on how to care for a snake after a transition to a new place.

Questions I have are:
how long should I wait before I handle him?

He is scheduled to be fed in a few days:
should I wait longer before feeding so he can adjust?
Should I feed him a smaller rat for his first meal in the new place?

The only reason I adopted him in the first place was because I did not want him to be euthanized. I am very new to this and just want him to live comfortably and thrive so any and all help will be appreciated greatly.

Thank you.

* I will post pictures soon in the gallery

[DarkestCloud]

The average time suggested seems to be a week, then start handling for 15 mins at a time. Don't know about feeding, I'm new at this too

[Lankyrob]

I would wait until it has fed twice for you before handling, never handle for 48hours after it eats. I would try feeding on its normal feed day but dont worry if it doesnt take it.

[Nate2583]

okay thanks alot, and should i stick with the same sized rat he usually takes or go smaller?

[Teal]

Congrats on your new buddy!

I personally would feed his normal sized prey... either he will eat or he won't If he doesn't, it's no biggie.

Everyone suggests waiting weeks before handling, but I'm a little out of the box.. I will very lightly handle from the onset. None of my snakes have seemed to mind

[nothsa]

Hey there fellow Londoner. With my Pythons and Boas I find it best to give a couple weeks down time, but all my corns have been handled right from the start without any issues. I also have had no problems feeding them right away. As long as his habitat is set up properly as far as temps and hiding places you should have no problems with him whatsoever.

I've started all my snakes this way and have never had any issues or strikes (knock on wood!) regardless of their age.

However, be careful, as my collection started out as me telling my son he could have just one! Now it's 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and.................

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by Teal

Congrats on your new buddy!

I personally would feed his normal sized prey... either he will eat or he won't If he doesn't, it's no biggie.

Everyone suggests waiting weeks before handling, but I'm a little out of the box.. I will very lightly handle from the onset. None of my snakes have seemed to mind

Nice to know that there are others with "out of the box" thinking! I'm the same way. I handled all 3 of my colubrids from the start and have no issues.

[Concept9]

Personally I never wait weeks after getting a new snake to handle it. It depends on the animal a little but I normally give them 2 or 3 days to adjust.

If I don't know when they were last fed, I feed them 1-3 days after I bring them home and I have never had an issue with them eating.