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I am bringing home a new snake tonight - it's a 2 ft albino corn that's about as big around as a quarter or half dollar. I'm trading in my snotty 1 yr old kingsnake for a very friendly and laid back corn. The king was a mistake from the getgo and he's not at all what I'm looking for in a pet. We have a very sweet, even tempered milksnake and the king has got to go!

Please, no flames...I work at the store, so I'll make sure he goes to a good home. Anyway, this corn was brought in by a customer and she said he (or she?) is 4 years old. He was on a weekly feeding of 1 or 2 frozen fuzzies and seems to be of good weight...he just seems really small for a four year old. Shouldn't he be fully grown by now?

I'll keep him in a min. of 2 frozen fuzzies unless I hear otherwise. He's been there for two weeks now, so he's had two feedings. Both times he was on the fuzzie before it even hit the feeding containers floor! He seems awfully hungry - moreso than just a "good feeder." I didn't want to bump him up in case he got stressed...didn't want his meal to come back up. But once he settles in here, should I let him have more? Please advise...

Otherwise, here are the tank stats. It's a 48" x 13" (55g) tank with a screen lid. Lid is secure, he won't get out. There's a 4ft regular aquarium light for added lighting and one 100W basking light that keeps the tank in the lower 80's in the warmest part. Lights go off and night, and as long as the tank doesn't dip below 75 or so, I leave it alone. Otherwise I turn a 75W blue "nightglo" light on for some warmth. Sound ok? I know some people like the undertank heaters, I personally hate them. They don't seem to do anything in the way of general cage warmth and we can never get them to stick on for more than 8 months to a year.

At 4 years old, he should definitely be bigger. But the reason he isn't is because the previous owner didn't feed it enough.

Since you've already had him on his previous diet for 2 weeks, I'd say to go ahead and offer him either 3 fuzzies or a hopper for his next meal. Then just continue to increase the meal size as he grows.
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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 2001 Coral snow cornsnake
0.1 2002 Pastel Ghost poss Het Amelanistic cornsnake
1.1 2002 Bloodred cornsnakes
0.1 1998 Het Hypo, Het Caramel cornsnake
1.0 2000 Hypo Het Caramel cornsnake
0.0.13 2004 Eggs (potentially normals, hypos, caramels, and ambers)

I agree with Amanda. At 4 years old, most Corns will be fully grown and eating an adult-sized mouse once every 10-14 days. Gradually increase the size of his food over the next few months. If he regurges, it's a sign that he's not ready for that size, so go back down for the next three of four feeds.

Having said that, I have two 4 year olds who are still only around three and a half feet long and only just starting on medium mice. Comparing their feeding records to my others, they've grown much more slowly and just aren't taking to what I'd consider my "normal" feeding regime.

I think the trick is that each snake is an individual and you just have to take it at their pace. Corns seem to be able to cope with under-feeding better than over-feeding, so when in doubt err on the side of under-feeding. A slightly skinny Corn will have fewer health problems than an overweight, one as far as I've seen.

Best of luck - you've made the right choice. And don't think you'll stop at just the one.... We've all been there!