Man, you should <b>really</b> do some research in advance...
Here are a few "bare bones" basics...
- The snake should be kept in a container of appropriate size. Meaning, if the snake is 17 inches, for example, the combined length and width of your enclosure should be at least 17 inches.
- For the first few weeks, keep the snake on newspaper or paper towels. This way you can monitor your snake’s activities and bowel movements easier.
- When first obtaining a new snake, you should try your best to refrain from handling it until it feeds at least once or twice... I know, tough to do.
- A 2002 hatchling cornsnake, assuming that's what you have, should be eating a <b>minimum</b> of once a week. Try to match the size or girth of the food item to the size or girth of the fattest part of the snake. It's ok to make the food item a bit larger than the fattest part of the snake though. You could also feed your snake every 4-5 days and it would be fine.
- Try to make sure you have extra food on hand. The frozen mice will last up to 3 months if properly stored in your freezer. That way, you never find yourself "out of pinkies" again.
A few tips to get your snake to eat...
- Thaw the frozen mouse at room temp for an hour or two and then put it in some warm water to raise the body temp of the mouse closer to what it would be if it were alive.
- Leave the thawed pinkie in with your snake over night. You might be pleasantly surprised when you check on them in the morning. Some snakes won't eat in front of people. Yours might be one of them.
- Worst comes to worst, and it may, cut a "chunk" off the head of the mouse to expose the brain. This will get some snakes to eat if nothing else will.
Anyway, the best advice I can give is this; if you really want to have a snake, you must have a high level of interest in them. If you have a high level of interest in them, you must be curious to learn about them. If you are curious to learn about them, you must be willing to commit some time to learning about them and their needs. So, buy a book, read care sheets and ask a million questions. The more you learn the better off you and your snake will be.
A few questions:
Who did you get the snake from?
Do you have access to a digital camera?
If so, post some pics of your enclosure and snake so we can help you.
Where exactly is the "Mouth Of Hell?
Maybe a sSnakeSs.com member lives near you and can give you some one on one advice.
Keep us posted…