Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We got an albino cornsnake a few days ago. Off all places, he came from Petco. They said they feed their snakes on Wednesday but just throwing the food in the cage wit the snakes (they were housing them all together - 2 left when we got him). He was the smallest of the two, way smaller. I believe he was the smallest out off all - they had a shipment of about 5. They were feeding on pinkies and "eating good".

OK, so if you're just putting the pinkies in the cage with all the snakes....how do you know they are ALL eating good? Anyhow, not my question....

I treated him for mites (Petcos snakes has mites, but they don't tell you that when you buy them - my bf seen the mites all the balls....and my ball I got from there at the end of Oct had mites as well), then the next day fed him. After a few hours he regurged the pinkie. I should wait 10-14 days before refeeding? I believe that's what I read. We have had him for 4 days now.

Also, I have yet to see him drinking any water, I don't see him moving. I keep wanting to touch him to make sure he's alive.

Aside from the vet (we only have 1 in town that specializes in snakes, and she doesn't work every day), what else cn I do to help him?

I feel bad for the poor thing.

Jennifer

Well, there are 2 quick things I wanted to point out. If the last snake you bought there had mites, why would you buy another from them? Also, You say he regurged and you have only had him 4 days.... You should wait at least 5-7 days before feeding any new arrivals.....

Now, what you should do is leave him alone, don't handle him, make sure he has fresh clean water, and wait 10-14 days before feeding him again. When you do feed him make sure it is smaller than average food. Good luck.
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Cleopatra"
0.0.2 Crested Geckos "Vinnie" & "Cadence"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

I did not buy him. I have only bought my ball and after that I said that I would not buy any more from the store, and I haven't.

As far as a smaller than average food....how can I get smaller than the pinkies I have....unless I cut it in half or something.

Jennifer

You can do that. or you can buy 1 day old pinks.....
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Cleopatra"
0.0.2 Crested Geckos "Vinnie" & "Cadence"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

Hmm, didn't know you could buy 1 day old pinks....where do I find them?

Jeni

Ask around your local shops. "Mom N' Pop" shops are usually happy to obligee.
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Cleopatra"
0.0.2 Crested Geckos "Vinnie" & "Cadence"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

I haven't found any place around here that even sells mice except for Petco. I'll try to do some more searching. So far I have found one python and kingsnake breeder in Arkansas.

Jennifer

Never buy snakes from stores that sell mite infested animals. And never buy snakes from places that house snakes in groups. By patronizing these stores you are only supporting their bad practices.

Since you came here for advice, why didn't you buy your snake from a reputable breeder? There are several listed as sponsers of this forum, as well as several who post here regularly.

By purchasing from a breeder, you'd be getting a healthier animal that will in the long run save you money on veterinary costs. And you'll be buying from someone who actually cares about the animals they work with.

Tim

Thrd Eye

I didn't actually buy the snake. I have only bought my ball there and I said I wouldn't buy any more from Petco. So my red tails are coming from a breeder. I go to petco to buy mice and I always check out the snakes. I commented on how cute this one looked, and so it ended up being a present. Which I went to Petco about 2 weeks ago and seen it...received it on Tuesday. Personally, I don't care too much for having such a small snake. I like bigger ones (while they are babies).

I did come here for advice.....on what do to....not information on how I should get snakes from a breeder.

Jennifer

"I did come here for advice.....on what do to....not information on how I should get snakes from a breeder."

If you have bought your snake from a breeder...you wouldn't have needed to come here for advice...which was my point.

Tim

If I had bought my snake he would have come from a breeder...but I did not buy him. So was I just to refuse the snake? Corns are not my choice of snakes. Too small as babies. I would never personally buy one, but I'm not going to turn it down. I have never turned down an animal, even if it's something I don't really want.

Jennifer

Lazy son in law? Lazii goodphornothingus

FREE

ok, just kidding.

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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com
www.HerpHelp.com

LoL.....haha, add him to my collection....I'm got a lazy boyfriend, spoiled son, a picky ball....and not really sure about the corn

Jeni

lol, just a joke, my daughters not even marriaged yet. And that guy was a friend on a herp trip several years back. Just looked good

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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com
www.HerpHelp.com

I wouldn't worry too much about not seeing the snake drink because snakes are nocturnal so they drink at some point in the night. If you do want to see your snake drink you can try gently dunking the snake's head in the water, but don't be forceful and it doesn't always work. Also you can try spraying water like in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9MNhox5hI8 .

I also wouldn't be worried a lot about the snake not being active because for the first couple of days I have a new snake it tends to spend all day coiled in its hide box. Does your snake move when you handle it?

He's really active when he's being held. I haven't messed with him at all today. Change his water daily. He wasn't handled yesterday, but I did touch him just to make sure he was still alive.

I am a paranoid momma! With animals and my child. I always have to check to make sure they are still breathing. I started that before I had kids and my dogs were sleeping with me

Jeni

>>He's really active when he's being held. I haven't messed with him at all today. Change his water daily. He wasn't handled yesterday, but I did touch him just to make sure he was still alive.
>>
>>I am a paranoid momma! With animals and my child. I always have to check to make sure they are still breathing. I started that before I had kids and my dogs were sleeping with me
>>
>>Jeni

Give the snake a about another week, without bothering it, make sure the temps are not too hot or too cool. Around 76 to 82 would be a decent range.
When you do feed it again give it as small a pinkie as you can find. If you are worried the pinkie is too large cut off it's head and just feed it the head.
If it keeps this down wait another week and feed it another head.
Repeat a third time and if it is still keeping food down move up to a normal size pinkie. Not too far below your post is another post that adresses sliting the pinks to aid in digestion. This would probably be benifial in your case. When you do get to normal sized pinkies take a razor blade and run a few sits down the lenght of it's body. This will aid in digestion.
just make sure not to rush anything. There will be the additional stress of the mites so take your time.
When
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

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