Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a tiny, tiny cornsnake. He is the only survivor out of a clutch of eggs. He hatched out 5 weeks ago. He has not shed. Not eaten. Not pooped. He is active, but will not eat. He is in a shoebox sized enclosure, with secure hides and good temps. I have tried every trick I can come up with. Brining, leaving in a deli cup overnight, scenting. I put a pinky head in his mouth and nothing. He is so violently stressed when handled, that I am trying to leave him be as much as possibel. I'm afraid of huting the little guy. I've never raised corn snakes, but I have raised other snakes, and I've never had one that didn't respond to assist feeding. No feeding response whatsoever.
I'm frustrated.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

I would stop handling this little guy if at all possible. This should help remove some of the stress. After a day or so, I would then try placing an appropriately sized thawed pinkie mouse in the same container your keeping the snake in over night. If this doesn't work, wait a day or so and then try placing an appropriately sized live pinkie mouse in the same container your keeping the snake in over night. It might help to keep a towel or something to that effect over the enclosure until the hatchling has feed several times.

Good luck,
Bill

This is pretty much what I have been doing. I have only handled him to put him in a deli cup with his prey. I have tried live pinkies, frozen thawed, fresh killed, brained........
His little home is in a quiet, secluded spot, so he will not be sressed by movement or activity. It was only after several attempts and several weeks that I tried to assist feed. Never had a problem with that before.
I am just hoping that he does not have some underlying condition, and is just one of those snakes that was not meant to live. He is still active, but very slight.

Thank you for your response!
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GratefulFred

While most people in here will tell you to force feed pinky heads I use mouse tails.There easier to get started and force down faster.To me it's less stress for the both of you.Once you get a tail inserted just push it as far as you can.Just make sure the tail is wetted down before you attempt it.Good luck and keep us posted..

Well if he is tiny then maybe you should try a small anole lizard instead. If you live in an area where they are it is easy enough, if not you may have to buy one, but I normally have luck getting them to eat an anole or two and then switching them over. My guess is that you baby did not absorb enough of his yolk to grow enough to warrant a shed yet, that is why a few feedings to get him going, then a shed and then onto pinkies.
good luck
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

I am having the same problem with one of my new guys. If I get him an anole, should I pre-kill it - or would he be more likely to eat it if it is alive? If it is alive, do I need to hobble it for him, or prepare it in any way? Thanks!
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2.0 Anerythristic Corns
1.0 Amelanistic Corn
2.3 Leopard Geckos
3.1 Crested Geckos
1.0 Peacock Day Gecko
0.1 Gold Dust Day Gecko
1.1 Giant Day Geckos
4.2 Cats

Thank you all for your responses! I am willing to try whatever I need to help this little guy along. I'll keep you posted.