Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok...our reverse okeetee, Sparks, regurgitated his food the last time we fed him. We've had him since August 8 when we got him at the Monroeville, PA herp show. Right now he's probably between 1 1/2 - 2 feet long (I'm not that good at guessing, hence the wide range). He just shed on the 17th and then ate on the 19th. When my boyfriend fed him on the 26th before he came down to see me (at my home in VA) he regurgitated it sometime between then and now. He's on f/t fuzzies and has eaten them before so it's not a size switch or anything. We did get another hatchling (Shadow) that's about a foot long or so that lives with him now but they show no aggression towards eachother and actually curl up together in a hide. We take them both out of the cage to feed and feed separately. We also wait a few minutes before picking them back up and putting them back in the cage. Anyone have any suggestions? He's not extremely skinny yet so I'm not completely going out of my mind about it but I still would like to do whatever I can. This last time we weren't even home when it happened. I'm just at a loss on what to do. When we try to feed the others and they aren't hungry they don't eat. Could it be that he just wasn't finished with the one from the 19th when we fed him on the 26th? Anywho, I'll quit rambling now...any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

~Katie
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2.0.1 Cornsnakes
0.3 Leopard Geckos (Cutie, Lily, and ?)
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor (Sam)
0.2.1 Pac Man Frogs(Gordito, Spud, and Diablo)
0.0.1 Giant Millipede (Mega)
lots of snails and fish...

Some snakes do OK with a cage mate and some do not. The best, safest rule is: "One snake per cage" ... But if you choose to bend/break this rule, you must be on guard for signs of stress.
Regardless of the fact that they "look" OK together and spend time together (competing for prime spots?), one of the surest signs that all is not well is puking.

For now: Separate the snakes. Wait at least a week, 10 days would be better, before trying to feed the puker again (If the two snakes are together...are you SURE you know which one puked?...That's another problem with cohabitation: It's not always certain which animal is having a problem). When you feed the puker next, make sure the meal is a little smaller than usual. If all you have is one size, cut the head off and offer either the head or the body. By the way: NO MORE HANDLING of this animal until it has kept down 3 or 4 good meals...other than the "transfer" from feeding area to home base.

Obviously there are other possible reasons for your snake puking. But what you describe sounds like a healthy, non-stressed snake until it had to share its home. Good luck, and hope all will be well soon. Duffy

are you SURE you know which one puked?...That's another problem with cohabitation: It's not always certain which animal is having a problem).

I'm positive as to which one regurgitated...Sparks is on fuzzies and Shadow is still on pinkies...this one that was regurgitated defintely shows signs of hair (hence I concluded it was a fuzzy). What I don't understand is why he waited to be stressed. We added Shadow on the 14th and Sparks ate fine on the 19th. It wasn't until the second feeding that he regurgitated (the one on the 26th). Would they do that just because it takes time to show signs of stressing? Thanks so much for the quick replies...I'll let everyone know what's going on. Do you think it could be something to do with the cage? We cleaned it on the 21st. Could something have happened then and would it be worth it to try to clean it again? Thanks so much!

~Katie
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2.0.1 Cornsnakes
0.3 Leopard Geckos (Cutie, Lily, and ?)
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor (Sam)
0.2.1 Pac Man Frogs(Gordito, Spud, and Diablo)
0.0.1 Giant Millipede (Mega)
lots of snails and fish...

Katie,

While there are certainly other possibilities, the best course of action right now is to separate the two snakes. Also, make SURE that you wait AT LEAST a week before feeding the regurger... It will take that long for its system to rebound, and if you jump the gun you could get a really bad regurge cycle going. Good luck. I bet both snakes will be fine. Duffy

I have a snake named shadow too. He is a black corn snake.

I have to agree with Duffy. Snakes aren't very expressive animals, so it isn't like they'll look upset or anything. Definitely separate them, and once they're OK again, don't put them back together.

>>with the weather changing it is also possible that the temps in your snake's habitat may have dropped just enough to cause a problem.
Follow duffy's advise AND make sure to check the temps in the enclosure to ensure proper digestion.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)