First time snake owner, looking for help! - Page 20

**millertime89** · 02-04-12, 04:14 PM

2 of my 3 bury themselves in the substrate, they go where they are most comfortable and feel safest.

CK SandBoas · 02-04-12, 04:16 PM

My Kenyan Sand Boas exclusively bury themselves in substrate, they have never used a hide, my Brazilian Rainbow Boa will also bury himself in the aspen bedding on occasion, so it is perfectly normal

Kylie · 02-04-12, 04:46 PM

thanks guys

alessia55 · 02-04-12, 04:52 PM

Kylie! Hi!

Sorry I was gone for a while. Bella was probably just exploring the new probe in the tank. She most likely was not stressed. Relax a bit! Corn snakes are hardy critters. It's also not possible for her to strangle herself on the cord of the probe, so don't worry about that. You're probably stressing out while she's just exploring

Your heat mat should be between 84-86F. Once she realizes that her hide is nice and warm, she'll be going into it. It's normal for her to bury herself under the bedding, and not in her hide. The only times you'll have to worry is if she's lying belly up. Her "trying to escape" is also normal; my Pika who's 5mos old still tries to get out and reaches for the top of the tank and tries to push the top off. My 2yr old doesn't, but that's mostly because he's probably to lazy to try anymore

Her trying to escape is not "I hate this place!" but rather "oooh what else is out there? I want to see!" It'll take a while since your new to snake keeping, but eventually you will get to know her behavior better. Relax, she's just a normal, healthy corn snake getting used to her new environment.

**Aaron_S** · 02-04-12, 05:43 PM

Kylie, you need to stop micro managing your snake. It's an animal. It's going to do things. Just like how we let cats and dogs roam and do their thing in our homes, snakes will do the same in theirs.

Kylie · 02-04-12, 05:53 PM

.....Thanks

Kylie · 02-07-12, 01:54 PM

Havnt seen bella in 4 days...i miss her

youngster · 02-07-12, 01:58 PM

Think of how often you'll be able to handle her once she's on a steady feed schedule and acclimated to her home.
And if you do your part, she will live to be pretty old.
I know how hard it is, but you have to power through

My corns rarely come out during day time though.

Kylie · 02-07-12, 02:11 PM

Yeah my bf is up later, and earlier then me so he sees her alot more then i do. Also should i be feeding her every week? or every 2 weeks? thats one thing im confused about... i just fed her last thursday...do i feed her again in 2 days? or in 9 days?

Kylie · 02-07-12, 02:11 PM

The previous owners were feeding her every 2 weeks,do i stick to that?

youngster · 02-07-12, 02:19 PM

Depends on how much you feed her. I don't stick to a schedule. Sometimes I feed smaller meals once a week, sometimes bigger meals every other week.

**millertime89** · 02-07-12, 02:22 PM

What size prey were you feeding and how big is she?
Even without that info I would probably just stick to the 2 week thing. Its not hurting her and once she's on a set schedule and acclimated that'll give you some more time to take her out.

Kylie · 02-07-12, 02:50 PM

Well the previous ownders were feeding her 3 hoppers every 2 weeks, i have only had her long enough for 1 feed and i fed her 2 hoppers, right now i have 3 hoppers in my freezer and after those are gone i was going to move her up to 1 adult mouse, but i was just a little lost on when i should feed (how often.)

Shes 2 years old, i personally dont think shes very wide, but shes probably 3+ feet long??

Snakefood · 02-07-12, 03:04 PM

I feed my adults every 10 days, depending on thier sizes, they get anywhere from an adult mouse (20-30 grams) to a weanling/juvi rat (30-50 grams), my bigger males have even taken down rabbit pinkies, which are about the same size as juvi rats.

Corns are EASY to switch from live to F/T, and from mouse to rat to rabbit, they really don't seem to care, as long as your feeding them. (at least that's the case with my 6)

You don't want to see the spine or ribs, that means your not feeding enough
you dont want to see skin between her scales, that means your feeding too much

BTW, you have a gorgeous little girl there, and welcome to our communtiy!!

Kylie · 02-07-12, 03:10 PM

Thanks! i love her!

So i should go to adult mouse, and if it dont matter when im going to stick to her rutien ( every 2 weeks.) and no it was sooo easy to switch her to F/T!!!