CornSnake Bathing.

ColbyKun · 09-28-09, 06:44 PM

I put my new baby corn snake in the bath and the bath was about 4 inches deep. The cornsnake is about a foot. He freaked out and fell under water and then started doing a funny movement. I then pulled him out because im pretty sure he was drowning. When i put him back in his cage he froze with his mouth wide open. 1 min later he was okay. Why did this happen/What did I do wrong? I dont want to kill him because I love my snake so much. =] [He is beginning to shead]

Will0W783 · 09-29-09, 03:03 PM

Well, that sounds like it was quite the ordeal. I imagine he will be ok, but in the future, if you do find the need to soak your snake, make sure that the water level is shallow enough that it only goes up about halfway up the snake's sides. It is very important, as it sounds to me like your snake panicked when it couldn't touch bottom and possibly got water into his windpipe (that might make him freeze with his mouth open, as it would be hard to breathe with water in your windpipe?). I'm not entirely sure about the freezing, but keep a close eye on him and make sure he does not continue to open his mouth to breathe, or you may need to take him to the vet. It is not always necessary to soak a snake when it goes into shed; oftentimes a gentle misting of the tank once or twice a day will be enough to keep the humidity up for it. Corn snakes, as far as I know, do not require as high humidity as most boids, so you probably don't need to soak it. However, if it has trouble shedding, next time you can try dampening a pillowcase with warm water. Then put the snake in the pillowcase, tie a knot in the top and place it back in the cage. You can leave the snake in there for an hour or so, I've heard of people leaving snakes in pillowcases like that overnight to aid a bad shed.
I have a superdwarf retic that the guy I bought her from told me she "hated" water and panicked every time he tried to soak her. I put her in water only halfway up her sides to soak before her shed and she was fine. She just relaxed and explored. Remember, snakes do not have legs or anything, and while many species are great swimmers, they tire easily and will panic if they do not feel secure and cannot touch bottom.

Smilts · 09-29-09, 05:57 PM

what temp was the water that may well have been the problem. Ive never had a reason to soak my corns or bath them...

ColbyKun · 09-30-09, 07:52 AM

thanks willow. (Y). it was warm. i heard on the net it should be 35-40? i just bathed him because ive been busy and wanted him to get exercise plus hes got grey eyes [shedding]. =] I only recently got him so im dont know lots but read a lot about them.

Chu'Wuti · 09-30-09, 10:31 AM

Snakes rarely need us to decide when they "need" a bath; they can decide for themselves. The only time I would even consider bathing a snake is if it is having shed problems. If you have water available in a bowl they can get in and out of easily, they'll soak if they feel they need to do so. Corns tend not to bathe as much as pythons, and their humidity requirements are pretty low. If your corn is having shed problems, there are other solutions that you can try first.

ColbyKun · 10-01-09, 07:00 AM

okay, he still hasnt shed though. =[

zappaguy · 10-01-09, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColbyKun

I put my new baby corn snake in the bath and the bath was about 4 inches deep. The cornsnake is about a foot. He freaked out and fell under water and then started doing a funny movement. I then pulled him out because im pretty sure he was drowning. When i put him back in his cage he froze with his mouth wide open. 1 min later he was okay. Why did this happen/What did I do wrong? I dont want to kill him because I love my snake so much. =] [He is beginning to shead]

maybe it was ticked off because there was no mr.bubble
ps:keep reading you have everything to learn.

citysnakes · 10-01-09, 12:47 PM

your water was way too hot for him and youre lucky hes still alive. give him the time he needs to shed. theres no need to soak him unless he has a bad shed.

Smilts · 10-01-09, 08:39 PM

If the water feels warm to you then its way to hot for them.... The eyes going grey is the first part of shedding they then clear up for a couple to a few days then shed..

ColbyKun · 10-02-09, 07:47 AM

Its okay, he's shed in one big go. Looks funny. He's happy and loves the water. Mr.Bubble? :S Thanks all!

ColbyKun · 10-02-09, 07:49 AM

Oh, so if water is just under warm to me, its okay? Im nottalking about steam warm. =]

ColbyKun · 10-02-09, 07:57 AM

BTW I didnt put it in 35 40 water. xD