Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My history with the snake:
About three weeks back I adopted this snake from my local PetCo store. I am unsure of it's gender but have just gone along with calling it a 'he'.

Feeding problem:
I feed all my snakes every Friday usually in the afternoon. I got the snake on a Wensday I think it was and offered him a live adult mouse on my usually feeding Friday. This he had accepted and eaten.
Since then I have not been able to get this snake to eat.

I have tried offering live adult mice, frozen mice, rat pinkies, rat fuzzys (mouse size).
I have put him in his own private tank, left him alone. Put him in a dark place (such as a closet). Even placed him in a small box with his meal. (according to the PetCo people, they fed him in the PetCo boxes, which, I unfortunately don't have right now)

The farthest I've gotten is him rattling his tail and striking at the mouse, but not striking, coiling, and eating.

He is currently housed in a 20 gallon glass tank with a secured screen top. He has a tank mate, a smaller cornsnake that I assume is a she. There custom cage is currently under construction, hence (what I consider to be) the smallish tank.

The aggression problem:

My corn was up for adoption because 'he' was to aggressive. When I asked for assistance at the store the employee that came to help was rather nervous about getting it out and asked if I would rather look at it instead.
I took him out myself, without a problem. He was a bit nervous (coiling up, jerking his head back) but did'nt act as if he was going to strike. (he normally rattles his tail before he does)

I looked him over and decided to adopt him. I carried him around for a good hour or so again, with no problem. Although he did get nervous and strike at a gentleman who came to chat and pet him.

During feeding, however (as said before, he'll just strike at his food, often repeatedly) he seems to get extremely aggresive. He struck me once while I was taking his poor (live) meal out of his tank.
I am not worried about him being aggressive during feeding, but being aggresive durning handling.

I'm not worried about him biting me, but biting my little brothers (7 and 8) who love to handle and pet my snakes.
Although I don't allow them to touch or handle this particular corn, I am a bit nervous that they might simply come a bit to close and be struck.

As said before, he had already struck another gent while being held by me (he was simply coiled around my hand).

Should handling and interaction with other people fix any realy aggression problems he may have while being handled? Or is it a bit to late with his age (I'm estimating at least a year) to really mellow him out?

Thanks,
Anna

I would suggest feeding him frozen/thawed or prekilled mice instead of live. A dead mouse can't hurt a snake, but a live one can kill a snake. Some people say that feeding live can increase aggression, I don't know if that is true or not.

How big is the snake? Is it possible that he is just hungry and that is why he struck? Sometimes they can eat more than we think. Of course, since you said that he refused to eat the second time, that might not be valid.

If it is a male, he might be on a hunger strike, because he is looking for love instead.

I would get him out of the cage with the other snake. Two snakes together can cause stress, and can definitely make one stop eating. Plus there are lots of other problems housing two (or more) together.

Check your temperatures. If it is too hot, that can increase aggression. Make sure to measure the temp directly on the bottom over the hot spot. Use an accurate thermometer or a temperature gun to get an accurate reading.

If this doesn't help, there are lots of other suggestions that might help. Let us know how he is doing.
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phflame
kingsnake.com host

I have currently moved the problem snake into a spare ten gallon with a hide house and heat pad. I do have frozen mouse-sized rat fuzzys that I will try him on in the morning (7/14).

I don't know his exact size other than, he is large. Hopefully the picture (taken 7/13) will give you an idea as to his size. I will post a better image of him tomorrow (it was also taken on 7/13).

Thanks again,
Anna

then your snake looks like he is getting ready to shed. If so, then it would explain the not eating.
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sue