Monthly Feeding? - Page 2

JinxtheBP · 08-07-09, 08:46 PM

Also...is this normal? When he was swallowing he kinda "stood up". I'd never seen him do that before, but he did it both times this time.

Will0W783 · 08-08-09, 11:00 AM

Nice, he seems like a hungry little guy. It's great that you got him on rats at a young age- your life will be much easier now. Now just get him on frozen/thawed and you'll be all set.

JinxtheBP · 08-08-09, 11:07 AM

He's already on frozen/thawed! Yay!

Chu'Wuti · 08-08-09, 01:11 PM

After he finishes swallowing (getting his meal through his throat), he still has to push his meal farther down his digestive tract. By moving upright, he's using gravity to help with that process. You'll also seem him "kink" himself into a strong S-curve with the bend in his body just forward of the prey item, then literally push the prey on down his digestive tract by moving the bend in his body farther down his body. It's quite interesting to watch the "push, push, push" process. Both of these tactics help get the prey item down where full digestion can occur.

The last thing he'll do is "gape" to rehinge his jaw, which he unhinged to swallow the prey.

I didn't ask earlier--what thermometer(s) are you using to measure your temps, and where are they located? His behavior after eating suggests that your temps may be higher than you think they are.

JinxtheBP · 08-08-09, 01:29 PM

Both are small digital read thermometers. I'm not sure what brand or anything. But I had them both out in the house and checked them against the thermostat and they read the same, so I figured they were pretty accurate.

Shortly after I posted, he moved back over to the warmer end, after I put the other hide underneath the one he's favored in the past...I think he might have a new favorite hide

Will0W783 · 08-08-09, 01:34 PM

JinxtheBP, you really sound like you are doing an excellent job with that little guy. He's precious. I love to watch them eat; I know it might sound a bit morbid, but it is really fascinating to watch them get food all the way down into their tummies. Like Chu said, the standing up and kinking is totally normal. Almost all of my snakes take the last few gulps standing up and then slowly work it down their throats. Watch for the gaping at the end, it looks like a big yawn, and it gives you a really good look at the inside of the mouth. As the snake grows, if you keep an eye on the gapes, you'll see his teeth grow as well. Snakes are soo much fun!

JinxtheBP · 08-08-09, 06:30 PM

I tried to get a picture of him gaping and my camera battery died RIGHT before he did it, lol! I was waiting for it, with the camera up to my face and everything! Darn! Maybe next time

Kimberly, thank you so much! He's the first snake I've cared for on my own. My first one, a corn snake, my dad did a lot of the setting up and caring for her. Unfortunately, when I left for college, he was her sole caretaker and ended up not latching the lid properly and she got out...We never did find her

Jinx is the first snake that's really *mine* and it's so rewarding to take care of him

This even that was formerly Lee Watson's Reptile Swap (not sure what it's called now) is coming up next weekend and I'm thinking about getting a new baby corn. I think I'm ready for another one! I'm so excited! Next weekend cannot come soon enough

Chu'Wuti · 08-09-09, 08:36 AM

Glad you're using digital thermometers, Jinx! Smart! Where do you have them placed in the enclosure?

I hate to tell you this . . . but I'm sure Kimberly will agree--I think you're hooked! Herps are addictive, aren't they?

Keep up the good work--and have fun watching your snake!

JinxtheBP · 08-09-09, 12:21 PM

One at each end of the enclosure, stuck to the tank with double sided tape a couple inches from the bottom, lol.

They *are* addictive. I can't wait to get my new corn

I also plan on getting a rainbow boa at some point, but I can't afford to get him set up with the proper housing and humidity and stuff, so that has to wait. However, I have an extra UTH and a smaller water bowl and some extra hides and, of course, plenty more newspaper! So, setting up my corn snake in a tub that I already have is *really* inexpensive, lol!

Chu'Wuti · 08-09-09, 12:26 PM

Quote:

They *are* addictive. I can't wait to get my new corn I also plan on getting a rainbow boa

Oh, yeah! You are definitely hooked!

And it does sound like you are completely ready for the next one, too! Have fun!

You might want to get another digital thermometer, or a hygrometer/thermometer combo, and put it inside each of the hides to determine the temps & humidity there. The temp inside the hide can be significantly different that the temp outside; same with humidity. I use an Acu-Rite indoor/outdoor thermometer/hygrometer combo; the wireless sensor/transmitter is inside my humid hide that's over the UTH so I can monitor the temp & humidity there. My other temp probes are under a heat lamp and near the cool end so I know what's going on in each zone.

JinxtheBP · 08-09-09, 12:31 PM

Ohhh, that's such a good idea, to have the indoor/outdoor! I think we actually have one of those handy at our house that's not being used!

Thanks again, Chu!

citysnakes · 08-09-09, 06:35 PM

you may want to bump your 72F cool end and 85F hot end closer to 82F cool and 90F hot. you may also want to get some type of control for your UTH such as a thermostat or rheostat.

JinxtheBP · 08-09-09, 08:01 PM

Can anyone recommend an affordable brand of UTH with a temperature control? I could use the one I have now for my new corn snake (which would provide a better heat range for him than for Jinx) and use one with a controller/thermostat for my BP

citysnakes · 08-10-09, 09:09 AM

you need to control all heating elements. a rheostat(or dimmer) is like five bucks. hit up a home depot and ask for one. they'll know what you are talking about.

Chu'Wuti · 08-13-09, 02:44 PM

A rheostat is a good idea. It's really important to know what the temps are right where the snake is. Right now, we don't really know if they are too cool, as I first thought, or if they are warmer than what you initially posted, which the snake's behavior after feeding could suggest. With a rheostat, you can set the temp for the UTH to what it should be for the snake's optimum digestive function & health.