Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, my gf recently bought a red albino corn snake. We've had it 2 weeks and have tried to feed it several times in the last 2 weeks. Its about a month old, and the pet store said he could eat pinkies. They also said for feeding to take him out of his normal enclosure so they don't accosiate hands in tank with food. I thaw the pinkie in cold water and then place the snake and the pinkie in a small enclosure and leave the snake in it for a couple hours, but have had n luck, i think i still see sme food in his stomach so i think maybe hes not hungery. Any help would be great.

as it could be that it is too cold for the snake to recognize as food.

Other option are:
1. Check your husbandry. What temps are you running, do you have small hideboxes for him in the tank? If the snake is not secure in his tank, he won't eat.

2. Try putting the warmed pinky and snake into a small brown paper bag and closing the top. Tape it shut, then put the snake, the pinky and the bag back into his tank overnight. Don't disturb him at all until the morning.

3. Have you tried live pinkies yet? Sometimes that works. You can also try wiggling the pinky in front of the snake to elicit a feeding response.

4. Is it possible the snake is getting ready to shed? Some snakes won't eat when they are close to shedding.

5. Try braining a frozen/thawed pinky. Take something sharp and poke a hole in the pinky's brain area and smear brain goop all over the head.

You should not be handling this snake at all until he is eating regularly. Make sure his tank is in a quiet area of the house.

Good luck and let us know if this works. There are lots of other ideas if it doesn't.
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phflame
kingsnake.com host

To do this, after it is thawed out, put it into some very warm water and let it sit there for a min or two maybe 3 untill it gets good and warm all the way through. Don't microwave the pinky.

I usually keep them in the little baggie untill it's warm and then I put it w/ my snake.

If you guys are still having some trouble and the suggestions posted here aren't doing it for you, why not ask the pet shop if you can bring the snake by so they can show you what to do. Seeing it first hand is usually easier. It also gives you a chance to feel how warm the water is that is being used to warm up the pinky.

Best of luck to you,
Rob
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1.1 Bearded dragons
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Creamscicle motley corn
0.1 Creamscicle corn
0.0.2 Normal(?)
0.1 Black Pine
1.1 Bearded Dragon

>>OK, my gf recently bought a red albino corn snake. We've had it 2 weeks and have tried to feed it several times in the last 2 weeks. Its about a month old, and the pet store said he could eat pinkies. They also said for feeding to take him out of his normal enclosure so they don't accosiate hands in tank with food. I thaw the pinkie in cold water and then place the snake and the pinkie in a small enclosure and leave the snake in it for a couple hours, but have had n luck, i think i still see sme food in his stomach so i think maybe hes not hungery. Any help would be great.

Give it a few more days before trying again.
Take a large glass or mug (you don't plan on using again...lol)
and fill it with tap water as warm as you can get it.
Just let the hot water run for a few minutes until it reaches max. temperature.
place the pinkie in the warm water for about 10 to 15 minutes.
place the pinkie and the snake in a small deli dish, place this back in the enclosure turn off the lights and leave them alone for a couple of hours.
Check on them.
If the pinkie still hasn't been eaten leave it over night.
If this doesn't work see the steps phflame listed.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

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Does it matter if the deli cup is clear? Or would being able to see outside the cup be a distraction.

>>Does it matter if the deli cup is clear? Or would being able to see outside the cup be a distraction.

not really if you turn off the lights.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____