Reptile & Amphibian Forums

finally i got 2 corns to add to my collection of herps. however i was expecting something easier to deal with. one of them is still not eating and one of them hisses and attackes me everthing i open the top of the contianer. i am keeping them separated now just in case they might have been stressed because of licing together.

( however they would always hide under the same hide, and ther are about 6 hides, as if they like company).

i got them from a breeder who i trust and to whom i sell rats and mice too. more of a freind. hat should be an ultimatum for him? a week or so and i'll try to get my money back. i didn;t expect any problems from a cornsnake. theya re both melanistic if it matters.

How long have you had them? It is normal for snakes to refuse food for weeks until they adjust to their new surroundings, especially if they are young. They could go a few months (possibly?? Never had baby Elaphe/Pantherophis that died from starvation) As for attitude problems, most baby snakes, especially rats and corns, can be a bit jumpy when little, but with regular handling they will calm down. Bites from babies don't hurt either. Good luck. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

What tricks have you tried with the problem eater? Have you used a headless pinky yet? I know I suggest that ALL the time, but I was so impressed by how well it worked with my little snow corn who would not eat for me for 2 weeks after I got her. Now she eats like a champ. Good luck.
Also, did your "friend" say that the snakes were eating well?
Did you ask? As for "striker"...just be patient with the little brat. He'll probably come around. Duffy

Dont house them together it stresses some snakes out,and it is just a bad idea anyway.You would hate to wake up with only one corn and it's dead from eating the other.Give the little guy a few days to mellow out and try feeding a live pinky ....Paul.

they used to eat f/t pinks so i am mot much at ease feeding them live pinks because i don;t want them to get started on a 'bad" diet. i used to sell this guy the pinks that he used to feed them so i don't think think it should be a problem. ...

anyway thnaks for ht e response. much better then other forums... i give you a 9/10 for you helpfullness... ( i am strict.. lol)

I wasn't aware that Corns used the "hissing" technique, tho I'm still quite a novice to them.

My Wife and I made the mistake of buying a Diadem (sp?)Egyptian Rat snake at a local show. The little thing is quite nasty and has biten my Wife several times, once chewing on her arm enough to raise serious welts for a few hours. The snake hisses a ton if you even approach her habitat, let alone open it to take her out..gakk ! The snake is about 2 months old, we guess maybe 16" long.

We learned an important novice lesson...never buy without researching first !

Sorry for going off topic...I just have yet to see a Corn exhibit that "hissing" technique.
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Mike and Angela