how often to feed?

DannyB · Apr 20, 2006

Hi Again

Nearly there with the newbe questions I promise. We've picked up our corn today - he's a handsome beast. I'll post photo's soon as I need his morph identifying.

My question is, the guy who we bought him off says he only feeds him once a month - this seems quite a long gap. The snake (George we've called him) apparently just refuses any more often than this though.

He seems incredibly healthy, nice and alert, clean eyes, nostrils etc. He's just shed (we saw the skin) and it came off in one piece nice and clean so shoud I just stick to this feeding pattern? The guy who we got him off said to put a mouse in every so often and if it wasn't gone in 5 hours or so take it back out. Seems sensible advice to me - what do people think?

Thanks again for the advice and help so far.

Danny B

Tula_Montage · Apr 20, 2006

i feed mine every 6 days... Tallulah gets 2 pinkies, vincent gets a fuzzie.
for young snakes like them such short intervals is good...

however a month is a rediculously long time between feedings...
was he fed pinkies as hatchling or anoles? if thats the case it could be the problem.

fussy eaters arent good snakes

very stressful

mcarabian · Apr 20, 2006

Hi Danny,

Do you know how old the corn is? If he's less than a couple of years old, then feeding him once a month is not enough.

I would suggest reading the feeding section in this FAQ: http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28341

as well as getting Kathy Love's _Cornsnakes: A Comprehensive Owner's Guide_

Both have great information for beginners, but if you still have more questions, don't hesitate to ask

BeckyG · Apr 20, 2006

If he is a male, he may be refusing because it is breeding season. What I would recommend is to offer an appropriately sized mouse once a week. I only leave the mouse in with mine about an hour, then I take it out. As long as he is healthy and alert, I wouldn't worry. He'll eat once his hormones calm down.

DannyB · Apr 20, 2006

he's 3

He's about 3 years old. Don't know his feeding history I'm afraid but as I say he seems in excellent health. His current owner has had him 2 years and has clearly looked after him and cared him very well.

I've ordered Kathy's book, should come tomorrow...

Cheers

Danny B

Lennycorn · Apr 20, 2006

DannyB · Apr 21, 2006

thanks

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'm going to try upping his feed rate to at least to every couple of weeks at first and see how we get on. I'll also try feeding him at night - he might just be shy.

He's literally just shed and he sheds every 5/6 weeks and otherwise is healthy so I'm not worrying too much at the moment. I need to fit the tank with a proper thermostat and we'll see how we get on.

Danny B

MegF. · Apr 21, 2006

I feed my adult male every 2 weeks when he's eating (i.e. not breeding season) but he could probably safely go a month each time. He's certainly not thin! Was the guy feeding live or frozen/thawed? If I feed and the animal doesn't go for the food in the feeding box in about 15-20 minutes, I put them back. I've found if they don't eat within that time, they just aren't going to eat. They will usually strike or take the food within 5 minutes tops. Since I have regular substrate, I don't leave it in the viv with them.

how often to feed?

DannyB

New member

Tula_Montage

It's Jager time!

mcarabian

New member

BeckyG

Making it up as I go

DannyB

New member

Lennycorn

Just see the truth

DannyB

New member

MegF.

That's for sale???