Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok i asked a qustion about feeding corns, I got one response about my spelling. well I have a small learning disability and I have a LOT of troble with spelling. I also got "YOU SOULD DO RESARCH BEFORE YOU BUY, I did I got the corn snake manual printed a BUNCH of care sheets off the web, but they all semed like they where telling me to "power feed". So i figgerd id ask yall. so im sorry if my spelling or stupid qustion afended any one. (somthing simular to this is why I had not bin back to kingsnake since the biggining of summer)

Randy
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I would rather have a snake in my hand than a joint.....lol NO HOPE IN DOPE!!

Hehe...well, I -was- composing my message when I left to do something for a minute, and when I came back, my session timed out and I lost what I had written...

So...here it is:
Feeding once a week is good for the snake, and makes it easier to keep track of feeding schedules. If you want to feed your hatchling slightly more often, like every 5 days, that's also OK. If you go that route, once the snake is getting close to a year old, it's best to cut back down to 1x a week. When mine are in shed and don't want to eat, I just skip their feeding and wait until the next feeding schedule - the snake won't get hurt from missing a meal, and again, it's easier to keep track of.

As far as size and amount to feed, I feed prey that's 100-150% the width of the snake. The meal should leave a visible bulge, but not an enormous one. When one prey item seems to digest very quickly, I give two. After two are being digested with ease, I give a larger food item.

It is preferable to feed larger items instead of multiple smaller items. A larger mouse will have more meat and 'good stuff' compared to the amount of skin and fur.
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-audri
Webpage/Pics

When you explain yourself the way you just did, it makes sense. It states you did do your research and you are still confused, or have questions on the topic. I think some people took your original question to mean you were absolutely clueless and had NO idea when to feed. I remember I read a ton about snakes before I got my first one. But, I was still clueless about shedding, breeding, etc. no matter how much I read. I had to rely on experienced herpers providing me the specifics. I agree that most books, etc., can be very general about certain topics.

Most published works on snake care suggest feeding once a week to once every other week. That will keep your animal healthy and growing normally, but not "Power Fed" or pushed. Meals should be limited in size to no greater than one and a half size around as the biggest section of the snake. You want to see a slight lump, but not grossly stuffed!!! I feed mine once a week. Most adult corns (especially males) can be fed once every two weeks with no problems. Breeding females more often due to the stress on their bodies, especially during breeding season. Some adults might not even be interested in feeding weekly. Power feeding is more like feeding every five days or less. Typically its done with babies that are growing more rapidly in general and can handle that type of feeding. As soon as the snake appears to have digested its food, its fed again in an effort to promote faster growth/ready to breed faster. I recommend once a week for snakes of all ages.

On the spelling issue, thats something everyone just needs patience with. Once again, you explained why you have a spelling problem, and once again it makes sense. However, please understand it can be frustrating.

Hope this helps.

Randy,
I'm glad you weren't completley put off by the answers you got below and had the guts to come back and ask the question again. It looks like you got a couple of pretty good answers the second time.

For those of you who think your time is way to valuable and your knowledge is way to precious to share with "newbe" types, I might suggest you just skip those questions and move on to the real important stuf that you should be occupied with.

I'll watch for the newbe questions and answer them when I can.
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Wade's Weptiles & Wodents

np.

Looks like you got some good answers to your questions. Don't stop asking! When you ask questions on these forums, you ARE doing research, no matter what anyone says. As for the handful of jerks who are quick to put you down...keep in mind, they are a small minority here. I know that when you get slammed it seems like an unfriendly place. But there are mostly good, helpful folks here. Actually, some of the rude ones are helpful most of the time...they just tend to forget their manners once in awhile and need to be reminded not to be pinheads.
Good luck with your snakes. Keep askin' and we will try to be helpful and respectful. And...just ignore the trolls! Duffy

>>I answered your question and even explained to you that newbie and beginner questions were what these forums are for.
And there was nothing in MY post about your spelling.
you're welcome.
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Remember, my posts are MY opinion only.
Jimmy (draybar)

np

Don't be offended by the responses you got below. Most of the folks here are great people, and will help any way they can. I've learned alot on this forum. You got some good advice this time and I would recommend that you take it. I feed once a week because it is easier. I've got 22 snakes and it is too time consuming to have them all on their own schedule. My advice is to learn your snake. Start it on small pinkies. I usually offer two. Most will take both, others will not. Increase the size of food as the snake grows. Remember ther are no stupid questions in this forum.

>>Ok i asked a qustion about feeding corns, I got one response about my spelling. well I have a small learning disability and I have a LOT of troble with spelling. I also got "YOU SOULD DO RESARCH BEFORE YOU BUY, I did I got the corn snake manual printed a BUNCH of care sheets off the web, but they all semed like they where telling me to "power feed". So i figgerd id ask yall. so im sorry if my spelling or stupid qustion afended any one. (somthing simular to this is why I had not bin back to kingsnake since the biggining of summer)
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>> Randy
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>>I would rather have a snake in my hand than a joint.....lol NO HOPE IN DOPE!!
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Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian