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Hey guys, I've read a few care sheets but can't really find a definitive answer. I just had my first clutch of corns hatch, and I was wondering if the pinkies had to be scented, or if usually they ate normal pinks. I haven't ever heard of scenting for corns, but figured i'd ask anyway.

Thanks!
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2.1 Corn Snakes
1.2 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Crested Geckos
1.2 Green Anoles
1.0 Russian Tortoise
3.1 House Cats
0.0.1 African Millipede

RIP
Alice, Bruno, Lars, Snakey, Elizabeth

Well, that's really because there is no a definitive answer. Many corns will indeed accept frozen/thawed small pinkies for their first, and some definitely won't. Some idividual's will have a natural preference for live pinks, "brained" pinkies, or anoles. Others will only accept scented pinks that have been liberally scented with anole scent too. This can either be by crushing the tail of an already dead anole and smear it all over the F/T'd pink, or cutting the abdomen open on an anole and smearing a thawed pinkie in it then offering it to the hatchling.

You never know exactly which one's will want what until the time comes, and different bloodlines and/or locale's will be more prone to eat lizards than others. This is just the way it is sometimes with them. Some Miami corns and Keys corns originating from extreme southern Florida for instance can be a bit more prone to want lizards at first than some other types, this is because anoles are very abundant there and are a main part of their natural diet. The time of season when the corns hatch out also correlates with the anole's hatching around the same time.

This isn't etched in stone, but it can be quite common just the same. I have had many different corn clutches where some will eat pinks right off, and others will hold-out for anoles or anole scented pinkies very stubbornly for a while. Some might not want to eat ANYTHING for a good while too, it just depends on so many unknown factors. The one's that do only accept tiny lizards, or lizard scented pinks can gradually be switched to regular un-scented pinks by gradually scenting the pinkie less and less until they associate the pinkie scent along with it and learn to accept them very readily.

What is called "braining" the pinkie can work quite well too. If they don't accept a frozen/thawed after their first shed, take a thawed pink and cut the head open and squeeze it a bit and smear the contents all over the head of the F/T pink. This can often get a great feeding response from reluctant corns too. Then after they associate them with prey like that for a few feedings, it is quite common that it is no longer needed and they will eat regular F/T'd. Most will eat a live or dead pink, but sometimes you just have to see what works and gets their initial feeding response kicked into gear.

cheers, ~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

with Doug. In my experience the closer to the bush the snake is the more it will prefer lizards as a first meal, which means scented pinks. Yet there are exceptions with that statement also. My Abbott Okeetees never refuse pinks, but my Miami's often do. both lines have been captive bred for many generations.
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Disclaimer: I do keep several snakes in pairs, and some in groups. However I realize that things can go wrong, and I have to keep a close eye on those groups, to be sure they are not being adversely affected by these living conditions. Also if one happens to eat it's cagemate, it is 100% my fault, and I know the risks in advance!

What's wrong with using CAUTION?!?!?!
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
~ Jorge Sierra www.SierraSnakes.com