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Old 12-18-12, 09:49 PM   #1
EmilyS
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Snake won't eat

Hello everybody! This'll be my first post here, and I'm hoping somebody can help me out.

About a month and a half ago, a teacher I aide for ended up with a baby corn snake that she didn't know what to do with, so I told her I'd take it. This was my first reptile (though my sister has a leopard gecko), so I wasn't quite sure what to do. I went home with the snake (which was given to me in a water bottle, of all things) and researched as much and as fast as I could.

My sister recently upgraded her gecko to a 20 gallon long, so she gave me her 10 gallon. I went out and bought reptibark, a water dish, a fake plant decoration, a pile of rocks, and two aquarium decorations that (of all things) he (or she) seems to love. I also got a heat lamp and a digital thermometer- the tank is now set at 85F on the warm side, and 75F on the cool side.

He's been acting perfectly normal- drinks water from his dish, tries to escape his cage, and crawls about when out of the cage. My issue is that he has yet to eat in the month and a half plus since I've had him. I've (weekly) tried thawed frozen pinkies, I've even tried live a couple times- he's just not interested. He hasn't shed in the time that I've had him, and, as far as I can tell, isn't about to.

I've decided to name it Azazel, and since it now has a name, there's no turning back! Can anybody help me out?? If there's any more information you need, please let me know
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Old 12-18-12, 11:09 PM   #2
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Re: Snake won't eat

How snug fitting are the hides for him? He may not be feeling secure.

Also, stop any handling sessions and just stick to live pinkies. Toss one in. Leave the room. Try again in five days with no handling. You can leave it in the enclosure for as long as you want since it poses no danger to the snake.

Don't worry. He won't become aggressive from lack of handling.
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Old 12-19-12, 06:51 AM   #3
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Re: Snake won't eat

This^^^^^^ yourconditions seem corect so just follow the above advice
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Old 12-19-12, 04:19 PM   #4
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Re: Snake won't eat

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Originally Posted by Aaron_S View Post
How snug fitting are the hides for him? He may not be feeling secure.

Also, stop any handling sessions and just stick to live pinkies. Toss one in. Leave the room. Try again in five days with no handling. You can leave it in the enclosure for as long as you want since it poses no danger to the snake.

Don't worry. He won't become aggressive from lack of handling.
His two favorite hides are pretty snug, plus he can squeeze up under the rocks.

As for how to feed him, I've been hearing the exact opposite. Shouldn't I be concerned about him accidentally swallowing some of the reptibark? Isn't it bad to feed them in their own enclosure, because he could later mistake my hand as food? Not that I doubt your advice, because I'm grateful for it! I'm just curious
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Old 12-19-12, 04:21 PM   #5
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Re: Snake won't eat

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Originally Posted by EmilyS View Post
His two favorite hides are pretty snug, plus he can squeeze up under the rocks.

As for how to feed him, I've been hearing the exact opposite. Shouldn't I be concerned about him accidentally swallowing some of the reptibark? Isn't it bad to feed them in their own enclosure, because he could later mistake my hand as food? Not that I doubt your advice, because I'm grateful for it! I'm just curious
He's super tiny. How can he get the bark in there too? If you're that concerned take it all out for paper towel.

By that logic of removing him for feed would lead to EVERYTIME you go in there it's feed time to him so wouldn't be MORE aggressive.

He'll be fine in there. He won't learn to attack more.
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Old 12-19-12, 04:45 PM   #6
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Re: Snake won't eat

Quote:
Originally Posted by EmilyS View Post
His two favorite hides are pretty snug, plus he can squeeze up under the rocks.

As for how to feed him, I've been hearing the exact opposite. Shouldn't I be concerned about him accidentally swallowing some of the reptibark? Isn't it bad to feed them in their own enclosure, because he could later mistake my hand as food? Not that I doubt your advice, because I'm grateful for it! I'm just curious
what you have been hearing is false. Feed in the tank, your snake will be less stressed and more likely to eat well for you.
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Old 12-19-12, 05:13 PM   #7
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Re: Snake won't eat

Seriously?? Ok then, I'll go out and get a pinkie now!
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Old 12-19-12, 05:13 PM   #8
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Re: Snake won't eat

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Seriously?? Ok then, I'll go out and get a pinkie now!
Yes! I've now said it three times myself.
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Old 12-19-12, 05:15 PM   #9
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Re: Snake won't eat

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Yes! I've now said it three times myself.
Lol yes but now I have said it...
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Old 12-19-12, 05:16 PM   #10
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Re: Snake won't eat

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Lol yes but now I have said it...
*bows before the Queen*
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Old 12-19-12, 05:16 PM   #11
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Re: Snake won't eat

If you're concerned about him eating the bark, I'm sure you could just get a lid and put the pinkie on it. And I've never heard of an aggressive corn snake.

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Old 12-19-12, 05:19 PM   #12
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Re: Snake won't eat

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*bows before the Queen*
Bout time.....
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Old 12-20-12, 04:12 PM   #13
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Re: Snake won't eat

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Yes! I've now said it three times myself.
Sorry! This is just the first I'm hearing of it

I put the pinkie in last night- sadly it's still there now. Hopefully he'll eat soon!
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Old 12-20-12, 04:30 PM   #14
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Re: Snake won't eat

Ensure the temps are all correct. Ensure he's got two snug hides. Place live pinky outside the hide he currently is.
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Old 12-20-12, 04:39 PM   #15
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Re: Snake won't eat

When I got my first snake he was only 4 months old and it took him about 3 months to eat. He's a BP. Make sure you have great hiding spots with no open ends on both sides (like those half logs) and since he's still just a wee one make sure you just keep offering him food.

F/T or live, whatever you prefer..Leave it in there for him (only leave the food alone with him if it's F/T never leave him unattended with live)and let him go for it whenever he wants. Since he's new to you he probably just needs time to adjust and since snakes feel their most vulnerable during feeding time he's probably just nervous.

If just offering him food doesn't work I would put him in a separate container or even a paper bag and leave him in a smaller space with the meal.

With my first one all it took was a little bit of time and him adjusting to his new surroundings. Just keep offering him food. I prefer F/T and have taken snakes in that were only fed live and got them swapped over in a matter of 3 feedings.

Keep your chin up! He'll start eating soon.
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