Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just tried feeding my hatchling corn snake a pinkie mouse. this is the first time i have attempted to feed him since the purchase. they said he ate last monday and to feed him today (monday). He struck at it, missed, and now he is sniffing and nudging at the pinkie but will not strike.....!!!! can someone tell me what to do. i think he was eating frozen before, and this is live...could this have anything to do with it.

PLEASE HELP!

First of all, don't panic. This really isn't something to worry about yet. If the hatchling has been used to prekilled, it may be a little fearful of a live pink, or he may just still be adjusting to his new home. I'd leave him alone with the pink, maybe even covering his cage with a towel and no peeking. If he hasn't eaten it by morning, freeze the pink, wait about three days and try feeding him frozen thawed. Even hatchlings can go weeks and weeks without eating so don't worry yet.

If the snake is nudging the pinkie...it is at least showing interest. When I have had corn snakes not eating at all, thhey usually show NO interest whatsoever in the pinkie mouse. Like carol said, the snake may be apprehensive about eating a live mouse if it has never eaten live before. Try f/t and leave the snake alone for the night and check on it in the morning

GOOD LUCK!
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"You're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view."

if its food is too big, will it refuse it? see, they didnt have the smallest ones, but it is very small. like i said this is a first time feeding attempt. i think i am just going to go tomorrow and get frozen, or try a smaller pinkie. what do you guys think???

>>why not go ahead and leave the pinkie and the snake in a deli cup over night?
If it eats, Great.Problem solved.
If it doesn't just pop that pinkie in the freezer and try again in a few days or go to the store to get smaller pinkies if you feel that one is too large.
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Remember, my posts are MY opinion only.
Jimmy (draybar)

My baby Corn would nudge and taste the thawed pinkie I gave him but didnt eat it until I brained the pinkie then once it got a taste it took it right down.

np.

man u dont have to be mean. i was just asking questions. and i will keep asking questions so get over it. if you dont have anything nice to say please dont even read my posts or reply to them. thanks.

4 screaming helps over a snake that nudges food a little?That tells me you have done zero research or any other homework you should have done before even excepting a prize.Being a drama king/queen on top of it,well that's the icing on the cake.Please reserve the 4 to 5 bold letter helps with exclamation marks for when your snake gets loose or accidently swallows a car battery...thank you..Paul..

It would appear that he's been under alot of stress lately.
Half his posts are bitter sarcasm. God forbid you should spell a word wrong or something! He even apologizes once in awhile, and admits that he's stressed out, but keeps on dishin' up crap.
Just ignore him. Claims to hate trolls, but is becoming one himself. Good luck with your snake, by the way. My little corn that would "nudge" but not eat finally started eating when I cut the head off a pinky and gave it to him in a deli cup. Sounds gross, yeah, but it worked. Now she eats every time (the whole darn thing). Again, good luck, and just ignore the rude, ignorant comments. Duffy

thanks. i mean i did do my homework and have been taking care of a hatchling ball python with my boyfriend. i just have never had a corn snake before and had no feeding problems with the ball. i did TONS of homework actually. Oh well. i thought it was a big deal. thanks again
kirsten

As your Ball python matures it will occasional go off feed,especially if it's a male,in the late fall and winter months.If it's female it will take smaller items less frequently.I have a 1.1 adult pair of amel corns and they will chow down no matter what.My 03,1.2 hypo's are chow hogs also.Corns are a great snake to start with..Good Luck...Paul.