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Feeding Question

Dazzles

Dazzles

New member
Hi there!

Today is my baby corn's first feed day. Her mouse is thawed and slightly warmed in warm water.

I went to get her out of her viv to feed her in a separate container, but she is still very very scared. She had her first shed today(or last night) -- fully complete, tip and eyecaps and all.

I wanted to handle her for a bit, but the striking at me has me nervous. I went ahead and put her pinky in her viv on a piece of paper towel under her warm hide so she can eat in privacy without my big scary hands in her way.

Is this okay?

Once she's eaten, I will let her be for 72 hours or so and then try again with handling.

If I see she hasn't taken the mouse in 5-6 hours should I remove it and toss it and try again in a few days with a different mouse?
 
It's okay and a good way to approach a first feeding. 72 hours before handling is very good.

Just handle calmly and with confidence. If possible approach with your hand from the side rather than above. I always found a two handed scoop up worked well with new hatchlings.

I know that can be difficult when a snake is fleeing or striking but they usually will calm down once you have them in hand, especially if you are calm.

Best wishes with your little snake!
 
Dazzles said:
Hi there!

Today is my baby corn's first feed day. Her mouse is thawed and slightly warmed in warm water.

I went to get her out of her viv to feed her in a separate container, but she is still very very scared. She had her first shed today(or last night) -- fully complete, tip and eyecaps and all.

I wanted to handle her for a bit, but the striking at me has me nervous. I went ahead and put her pinky in her viv on a piece of paper towel under her warm hide so she can eat in privacy without my big scary hands in her way.

Is this okay?

Once she's eaten, I will let her be for 72 hours or so and then try again with handling.

If I see she hasn't taken the mouse in 5-6 hours should I remove it and toss it and try again in a few days with a different mouse?
Click to expand...
Has she eaten it OK? I know it's been a little while.

Trust me, I know how it is getting over the striking at you thing. I started with a Ball Python and man do they have some sharp teeth! Corn snake teeth are way less scary and don't really hurt as bad nor are they as long.

Here's a tip. Distract her with one hand and slowly with the other cover her head and gently push her down. Not all the way down, just lower her head. Then pick her up. Basically you're not allowing her to strike.

Or you can pick her up with a small snake hook or something similar.

Whichever works. :)
 
Dazzles said:
Hi there!

Today is my baby corn's first feed day. Her mouse is thawed and slightly warmed in warm water.

I went to get her out of her viv to feed her in a separate container, but she is still very very scared. She had her first shed today(or last night) -- fully complete, tip and eyecaps and all.

I wanted to handle her for a bit, but the striking at me has me nervous. I went ahead and put her pinky in her viv on a piece of paper towel under her warm hide so she can eat in privacy without my big scary hands in her way.

Is this okay?

Once she's eaten, I will let her be for 72 hours or so and then try again with handling.

If I see she hasn't taken the mouse in 5-6 hours should I remove it and toss it and try again in a few days with a different mouse?
Click to expand...

Hi Dazzles! How ya been?

Sounds like you have a healthy and very normal little sneaky one there! If hatchlings aren't afraid of you at first, then they probably didn't even get wet when dipped into the gene pool! I know most folks believe that a nippy baby has a bad attitude, but just imagine being that small and a GIANT invades your space AND attempts to GRAB you? What else can you do but make a feeble attempt to fight as a way to prevent being SNATCHED up by some GIANT?

Patience, persistence, and love will prevail if exercised appropriately, imho.

:my2cents_01:
 
She didn't eat it, and I am not surprised. After trying to take my hand off, I imagine she was pretty stressed.

We've left her alone since then and will try again tomorrow night. She's always active between 9:30pm and 1am, so we will feed her when she's out and about and awake. I have a feeling this time around she'll be just fine.
 
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