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Hyper hatchling

rippit

rippit

New member
I bought a hatchling Okeetee 4 days ago. The breeder I bought it from kept good records on it, so it know that it last ate on 9/24 (today is 10/13). I put it in its new viv and have not bothered it except for putting pinkies in for it. But, it hasn't eaten yet, and it's been nearly 3 weeks since its last meal. I know adult corns can go a month or two between meals, but I wasn't sure how long hatchlings can go. On the plus side, the snake is VERY active (it's actually driving me a little nuts - back and forth, around and around the viv, straight up the side, falls over, does it again, on and on).

Anyway, since the snake is active, I don't think there's a problem right now, but how long can a hatchling go without eating before I should start to worry?
 
They can go months but not without physical effects. Did the seller give you any indication why it went two weeks w/o eating before you bought it?

How big is the tank, what type of bedding are you using, and what are the temperatures inside the enclosure?
 
No, but I can call the seller and ask him. I have it in a 20 gallon enclosure, using repile carpet bedding (for now) and the temp is 75-80 on one side and 70-75 on the other. The snake has stumbled across the pinky I left in the viv, but it just went right past it and continued to rub its nose against the side of the viv.
 
I thought about shedding - I could have missed the blue phase. I guess the real question is how long should I let it go before I start to worry? It's active, which seems to be a good thing. This is my second hatchling - the first one was curious, but nothing like this, and it ate right away.
 
Well, the blue phase could have happened before you got the snake. Remember, that the eyes will clear up, and the snake can shed up to a week after this. So, I would call the Breeder, and find out when the last shed was, and if the snake in question was blue before he sent it to you. This could be a possibility as to why the snake is not eating.

Also, how long have you had the snake? How long did you leave it alone before offering it food?
 
I've only had it for 3 days. I never really "offered" it food - I just put a pinkie in the viv, which it has stumbled across and ignored. I haven't bothered it at all - I figure I'll give it until Saturday (that would be 6 days) before I actually hang a pinky in front of it. My initial thought is that it's just getting used to its new surroundings and that it will eat once it's acclimated, but I figured it never hurts to ask.
 
never hurts to ask questions. Usually the norm is to put the new snake in the viv and let it be (no holding, playing, food, etc) for at least 3 days to let it calm down and get used to the new evironment.

Good luck and let us know what happens
 
rippit said:
I bought a hatchling Okeetee 4 days ago.

On the plus side, the snake is VERY active (it's actually driving me a little nuts - back and forth, around and around the viv, straight up the side, falls over, does it again, on and on).
Click to expand...

4 days and it's that active? I'm assuming you have hides so I'm not going to comment on that, but I just wanted to say that I WISH my snake was that active! He (she?) sounds like a real cutie! I too am going to guess a shed is close.
 
Oh, he's gonna be a ripper all right - the reason I picked him out was because he was so active. And he's been like that from day one. Little did I know...

Yes, I have hides - a cocohut on the warm side and a plactic tree with a hide spot underneath on the cool side. He can also get under the carpet, and I've seen him there a few times. Made sure the glass wasn't too hot to burn him from the pad. He's probably just curious about his new surroundings and is checking everything out.
 
Awww. That's so cute. Sounds like you got some personality there :)

My snow is also such a character. He rarely misses an early evening cruise. And he always has his head poking out. Watching. When i placed a toilet roll, right in his view he just slept (or not) with his head on the toilet roll. I made a picture of that.
 
pcar said:
never hurts to ask questions. Usually the norm is to put the new snake in the viv and let it be (no holding, playing, food, etc) for at least 3 days to let it calm down and get used to the new evironment.

Good luck and let us know what happens
Click to expand...

Wow. When I get mine, I was going to let them rest and recuperate for a week before attempting to feed my little ladies.
 
Okay, I tried to feed him (Indy is his name) again last night. No dice. But he did take a crap in the viv - I'm starting to think that the breeder I bought him from forgot to record a feeding. This snake is WAY too active to have not eaten in 3 weeks.

On the plus side, the little guy has absolutely no fear of being handled. I picked him up and he didn't go into a defensive posture or anything. I had him out for about 15 minutes, and he was crawling between my fingers, up my arm, you name it. I held him up to my face, and he came straight at me, onto my nose, flicking his tongue. He even tried to go into my hair (couldn't let him do that - figured the gel wouldn't be too good for him). I think I'll let him go until the weekend then try feeding him again. I'll post a pic of him if I can get him to hold still long enough to take one!

Thanks again for all the advice,
Jason
 
I hope my snakes are just as kosher to being held as yours. I mean being that this is my first time owning snakes, I'd like some real big babies who just love attention.
 
Thanks! I also have a female motley named Marion (no joke). I guess the next ones will be Sallah, Belloq, Marcus...you get the picture.
 
jason, how long between offerings? If your snake is refusing food, you should wait alteast 5 days before you offer again. If you are constantly offering something every couple of days and the snake constantly refuses it, you might end up with a snake that will not eat that particular item.

and good name.
 
Thanks for the compliment - and the advice. I gave him three days between offerings. I'll give him a little more time this time (maybe around next Tuesday/Wednesday). Also just got off the phone with the breeder, who said he's probably ready to shed. That would explain it.
 
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