First time snake owner, looking for help! - Page 5

alessia55 · 01-29-12, 04:12 PM

It doesn't matter which of the two you get. Either one will need to be hooked up to a thermostat that will regulate how hot it gets.

Kylie · 01-29-12, 06:15 PM

Okay thanks guys! the only one the pet store had was the desert one but like u said the thermostat will help. i have to order that online and i cant do that until atleast tomorrow, so for now im sticking to the light bulb, but the temps are good. Do cats stress them out? my cant wont leave her tank alone, she dont paw at it but she sits right at the glass, it almost seems as the snake plays with the cat...that possible? lol but when i hold the snake my cat follows me everywere and the snake gets kinda tense... More silly questions

Swany · 01-29-12, 06:29 PM

More silly questions
No such thing here, if someone can answer, they will ;-)

Kylie · 01-29-12, 06:42 PM

Thanks! i just feel silly asking so many questions, i guess its not horrible that i want the best for Bella! First snake and im so in love with her! I need to know everything i can possibly need to know! if anyone else has any other tips, suggestions...let them fly at me PLEASE!!

Swany · 01-29-12, 06:44 PM

Just read all you can on the treads on here, it's a great way to learn lots of stuff ;-)

Kylie · 01-29-12, 06:46 PM

First time to threads as well, i dont even no how to work most of it, or were to find most things. haha im so not a computer person. all i usually use my laptop for is facebook

ill do some exploring tho! Thanks!

Swany · 01-29-12, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kylie

First time to threads as well, i dont even no how to work most of it, or were to find most things. haha im so not a computer person. all i usually use my laptop for is facebook

ill do some exploring tho! Thanks!

When you sign in, on the first page you see, on the left hand side you'll see the word "forums" click on that and scroll down to find the relevant section for your snake, click on that and Bob's your uncle ;-)

Kylie · 01-29-12, 07:50 PM

I don't remember if i asked already but...My first feed is going to be this Thursday, im nervous! The previous owners were feeding her 3 hoppers, im going to do that for this feeding, how do i go about it? im feeding her in a tuper were type container...can i put them in before her or should i put them in after shes in the container? Also my friend who has had a bunch of snakes told me that i should try to switch her to just 1 adult mouse, cause 3 if alot for the, to fit in their tummys? Shes not the big tho...help?

alessia55 · 01-29-12, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kylie

I don't remember if i asked already but...My first feed is going to be this Thursday, im nervous! The previous owners were feeding her 3 hoppers, im going to do that for this feeding, how do i go about it? im feeding her in a tuper were type container...can i put them in before her or should i put them in after shes in the container? Also my friend who has had a bunch of snakes told me that i should try to switch her to just 1 adult mouse, cause 3 if alot for the, to fit in their tummys? Shes not the big tho...help?

That's a good question

I feed in a separate container sometimes too, so this is what I do: I put the snake in there first, then I introduce the prey by using tongs. Your snake is probably better off eating one large mouse than 3 small hoppers. Corn snakes can easily eat something that is at least twice the size of the largest part of their body.

I have a question though... are you feeding live or frozen/thawed?

KORBIN5895 · 01-29-12, 07:58 PM

One adult mouse should be fine. Three hoppers are just a pain. If you feed the snake outside of the viv put the snake in the container first. Does it eat live or frozen?

Kylie · 01-29-12, 08:21 PM

The hoppers are live.

alessia55 · 01-29-12, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kylie

The hoppers are live.

You might want to try switching her over to frozen/thawed adult mice. One of the benefits of feeding f/t is that it is safer for your snakes (live mice can scratch and bite your snake). Corns are usually pretty easy to feed, so at your next feeding on Thursday, offer her a f/t adult mouse. You can get these at most pet markets near you (ask a sales person; there's usually a fridge somewhere that has some). There are several ways to thaw a mouse:
1. Leave the mouse out to thaw out naturally; this can take a while until the mouse is room temperature. Then you can warm it up a bit with a hair dryer. You want the mouse to be warm so that your corn will smell it more.
2. Run the frozen mouse under hot water until it feels warm to the touch. You can then dry it using a hair dryer or paper towels. My snakes don't mind eating wet rats, so I just feed it as is.
There are more methods, but those are two of them to explore with.
Buy a set of tongs... something like this:

Use the tongs to pick up the thawed mouse by the scruff of the neck. Make the mouse "dance" or walk around as if it were alive. This will entice your snake to think it's alive and will wake its instinct to feed.
Your snake might not eat this Thursday, and there are many reasons for that. One of them being that she hasn't settled in enough yet, that she's not comfortable in her new environment just yet. Some snakes take longer to adjust than others. If she refuses to eat, wait another 7-10 days before trying again. Trying any more often will only stress her out.
I have a video of me doing the "zombie rat dance" for one of my snakes. I've been trying to upload it. I'll post it if I manage to so you can get an idea of what it'll look like.
Good luck with your first feeding!

OSMDEATHOWNER · 01-29-12, 08:55 PM

Welcome and Estevan you do, don't go cheapest, go best! Beautiful snake!

OSMDEATHOWNER · 01-29-12, 08:56 PM

Meant wateva you do

Kylie · 01-29-12, 09:03 PM

Lol thanks! i probibly stressed her out a big more too, i just put her in her new tank. its bigger... shes kinda checking it out now...also this feeding i need to feed her the hoppers as i had to pre order them...their being shipped here. Can i start next feed? how do i feed live? do i have to touch them LOL

Another question, do corn snakes like small spaces? i picked her up a bigger hide rock, and its pre big the old one she had was tiney she had to coil quit tight..should i just leave her with the small one or should the big one be ok?